Registered Nurse (RN) (Restoration Center)

Vinfen • Lowell, MA

10d

About The Position

The Recovery Center Registered Nurse promotes the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) so they can live healthy lives in the community. The RN assesses and coordinates access to and management of health care for PS in collaboration with their identified care teams and medical and behavioral health providers while they receive Recovery Center services. The role monitors and consults with team members about PS medical and psychiatric conditions, develops and oversees health-promotion strategies addressing modifiable risk factors, and oversees Medication Administration Program (MAP) compliance for the Respite program.

The RN performs physical health assessments, educates and trains staff about PS health conditions and medications, coordinates health care and community referrals, and supports PS and—when authorized—their families and friends in health-related matters. The RN develops and oversees health-promotion interventions, monitors conditions and documents relevant information, advocates for appropriate medication regimens, and ensures medications are managed in accordance with MAP requirements and company policies. The role also provides clinical outreach and on-call coverage as scheduled, promotes access to employment services, and models evidence-based, recovery-oriented interventions. The position requires driving to support work with PS and may involve transporting them.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse license in Massachusetts required.
• High school diploma required.
• Nursing school education and related training required.
• CPR certification required within two weeks of hire.
• Access to an operational, insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport PS.
• Valid driver's license must be presented at employment; incumbents must be at least 21 years old, have held a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and pass a driver's screening background check.
• If using a personal vehicle, maintain adequate insurance and a safe driving record subject to annual checks.
• Knowledge of nursing treatment principles, modalities, best practices, and evidence-based practices.
• Knowledge of health risks associated with psychiatric disability; nursing assessment practices; medical crisis prevention, crisis intervention, and risk management; and medical and psychiatric emergency and acute care systems.
• Ability to adhere to standards and approaches including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, SBIRT, Housing First, Stages of Change, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
• Knowledge of PS engagement strategies and recovery-oriented, person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally competent services.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues; knowledge of prejudice, discrimination, oppression, and the effects of poverty on people with psychiatric disorders.
• Knowledge of PS human, legal, and civil rights and of community-based mental health, health care, care coordination, and other available services and resources.
• Ability to formulate effective Treatment Plan interventions and train paraprofessional staff to implement aspects of plans.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members, form supportive and trusting relationships with PS, and make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ability to work professionally and confidentially; knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment; extensive knowledge of documentation standards and requirements.
• Ability to operate a computer and office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.

Nice To Haves

• Three to five years of supervised practical experience, including internships, preferred.
• Experience working with people with psychiatric disabilities and/or co-occurring disorders preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Preference given to bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions.

Responsibilities

• Assess each PS’s physical health at Respite intake and update the assessment following significant medical status changes.
• Educate and train Respite staff on PS health conditions, diagnoses, medications, and signs and symptoms of chronic, acute, and urgent physical health issues.
• Consult with team members regarding the medical and nursing needs of PS and participate on intervention teams for assigned PS.
• Monitor PS health care needs and coordinate access to care with care coordination entities and medical and behavioral health providers.
• Facilitate referrals to community providers as needed.
• Attend hospital discharge meetings when significant medical issues are present, advocate for rehabilitative stays when needed, and obtain discharge summaries.
• Educate and support PS families and friends regarding health care needs and preferences, following HIPAA authorization protocols.
• Complete community-based Nursing and Health Assessments for PS as assigned.
• Engage PS in health-promotion activities addressing modifiable risk factors, using recovery-oriented, person-centered, motivational interviewing, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, culturally competent, and strengths-based approaches.
• Design, facilitate, and oversee health-promotion interventions addressing modifiable risks for early morbidity and mortality and overall health and wellbeing; model appropriate interventions for direct service staff.
• Monitor PS medical and psychiatric conditions and record relevant information according to established protocols.
• Oversee MAP policies, protocols, audits, and compliance for Respite, ensuring medications are stored, administered, and disposed of according to MAP requirements and company policies.
• Train and tutor staff preparing for MAP certification and recertification; teach MAP at least annually and attend state-mandated MAP Consultant meetings twice a year.
• For PS authorized for Home Health and/or Personal Care Attendant services, obtain and review VNA 485s, obtain regular updates, and consult with the VNA primary care nurse during respite stays.
• Advocate with medical providers for simple, effective medication regimens and reduced polypharmacy.
• Provide outreach services as needed to PS who appear to disengage from Respite services.
• Promote PS access to employment services.
• Perform and mentor evidence-based clinical and recovery-oriented interventions, including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment support, SBIRT, Housing First, Stages of Change, WRAP, Seeking Safety, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
• Promote engagement, safe housing, community tenure, greater self-sufficiency, and successful service completion for PS.
• Provide on-call clinical coverage as scheduled.
• Participate in the Nurse Community of Practice facilitated by Vinfen’s VP of Nursing to support role competency and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Fully funded 401(a) employer-sponsored retirement plan requiring no employee contribution, plus an employee-funded 403(b) plan.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week, with an employer contribution toward medical insurance.
• Employer-paid life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term disability insurance for qualifying employees.
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts for health and dependent care.
• Voluntary term life, whole life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Paid time off for employees scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED