Nurse – ACT (RN)

Options for Southern Oregon • Medford, OR

11h • $42 - $67

About The Position

The Registered Nurse on the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT) provides comprehensive, mobile, community-based care to individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses, often in their homes or other natural environments. The RN works as part of a multidisciplinary team to assist the client with medication management, and screens and monitors clients for medical problems/side effects. The RN communicates and coordinates services with the various medical providers working with the client including psychiatry and primary care. The RN works to engage the client in activities related to health promotion, prevention, and education. Educates other team members to help them monitor psychiatric symptoms and medication side effects; and when clients are in agreement, develops strategies to maximize taking medications as prescribed (e.g., behavioral tailoring, development of individual cues and reminders).

Requirements

• ASN required; BSN preferred.
• Unrestricted, valid Oregon license as a Registered Nurse required.
• Based upon level of education and experience, MHACBO certification of either a QMHA or QMHP, must be attained within 30 days of hire. Please visit www.mhacbo.org for more information.
• Candidates must be able to use e-mail, compose documents, save and locate documents electronically, and learn to use our Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Proficiency in Word and other MS Office applications preferred.
• Must pass state-required background and DMV checks; possess a valid OR driver's license and a satisfactory driving record to be approved for driving rights. Candidate must be able to work independently and flexibly, under general supervision.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual skills a plus; Options pays a premium for employees who can conduct business in Spanish and provide certification of a language proficiency test approved by the Oregon Health Authority that meets the minimum proficiency level.

Responsibilities

• Administers and monitors psychotropic medications, including long-acting injections (LAIs), and educate clients on side effects of medications.
• Provides medication support to clients to become fully independent in medication self-administration. The RN may conduct life-skills training, client education, ordering and organizing medications, delivering medications to consumers, monitoring adherence, use and side effects of medications.
• Coordinates with the client’s various medical providers including the ACT psychiatric provider, primary care providers, other specialists and the pharmacy. The RN may schedule and attend medical appointments with the client as part of the client’s treatment plan.
• Collaborates with inpatient staff in the event of a hospitalization and works with the ACT team to coordinate discharges. The RN performs a medication reconciliation at hospital discharge and ensures the client has the medications as prescribed.
• Assists clients with daily living skills, symptom management, and health education to promote recovery and stability.
• Works with the ACT team members to assist the client in psychiatric emergencies to prevent hospitalization.
• Facilitates access to community resources relevant to patient’s needs while teaching skills for client linkage of community resources.
• Manages an appropriately sized case load of clients with severe and persistent mental illness. Size of caseload is based on additional responsibilities, clients’ level of acuity, and agency need.
• Practices the principles and values of case management and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), as evidenced by clinical supervision and periodic program fidelity reviews.
• Supports clients in their recovery through individual support, skill building, and case management. Advocates with collateral sources to assist clients to receive the services and support they need to work on their recovery and independence goals.
• Collaborates with inpatient staff in the event of a hospitalization.
• Transports clients to facilitate client-directed services, travels between sites and is required to drive.

Benefits

• Family medical, dental, long-term disability, 403(b) plan with 6% match, and more.
• Generous paid time off policy. (Annual accrual up to 208 hours - based on FTE status and available to use upon accrual). Plus, 11 paid holidays annually.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees