Residential Nurse

Description

     The Residential Nurse (RN) will assist in the physical health care of the clients including the admission process, physical health care during the stay, medication management, and the administration of the MAR. The RN will assist in providing knowledge and training in all areas of behavioral health care, including but not limited to, First Aid, CPR, Medication Management, Vitals, and Physical Health Care.  

Roles and Responsibilities

• The nurse will complete a medical/risk assessment within 24 hours to determine if the client can be admitted into the facility. 

• The Nurse may assist in the evaluation and monitoring of social/medically monitored detoxification clients to ensure their safety. 

• The RN will ensure the Medication Administration Record (MAR) is accurate, complete, and verified as per the policies. This information must be completed in the EHR system and communicated to the appropriate personnel. Verification, safety, securement, and accountability are critical to this process. The transcription of medication order must be verified and entered into the EHR system or applicable method. 

• The Nurse will educate and train the medication aides as per the guidelines established by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Nurse will audit the medication aid’s practices on a periodic basis to ensure conformances to the requirements/procedures (172 NAC; Chapter 95, 96). The nurse determines competencies as set forth by Department of Health and Human Services. The Nurse shall follow the Medical Management policy and procedure for BHS. 

• The nurse will provide physical health care services as appropriate to ensure the safety of the clients and the facility. This includes, but not limited, evaluation of injuries, illnesses, and/or any other relevant physical health. The Nurse will determine, through observations and/or consultation, if the client needs to seek further physical/behavioral care services. This includes assisting the STR when there is a medical emergency at the facility. 

• The Nurse is responsible for the destruction of applicable medication as appropriate and to ensure all personnel as following the policies and procedures. 

• The Nurse should provide adequate and timely documentation as per the agency’s policies and procedures. This includes, but not limited to, nurse assessment and/or any documentation from the Medical Management procedure and regulation. 

• The Nurse will assist other residential facilities during an absence of the nurse. The nurse may rotate 24/7 availability to handle any physical care situations. Collaboration through third party entities, such as a physician, shall be thorough and finalized within our policies and procedures. 

Requirements

Education and/or Experience 

     The Nurse must be an RN (Registered Nurse), preferably with behavioral healthcare experience. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

     Must hold a valid Registered Nursing license in the state of Nebraska and/or member of the compact state, LPN considered, license must be in good standing. Must have a valid Nebraska driver’s license and an insurable driving/safety record.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies)

• The Nurse must have strong critical thinking skills, understand the importance of unintended consequences, and evaluate decisions based upon the best long-term outcome of the situation. The nurse must demonstrate adaptability, demonstrate discrete and ethical behavior, and have teambuilding skills including relationship building.  

• The Residential Nurse must understand and have knowledge in strategic leadership and human capital development including the ability to influence others by having difficult conversations with positivity and instill a positive culture within the department and agency. 

• The Nurse must be knowledgeable and competent in physical health care including diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses that may arise in residential facilities. This includes the ability to observe clients and assist in making treatment recommendations. 

• The Nurse must have basic knowledge on behavioral health including, but not limited to, different diagnosis and treatment methods to assist in the overall client care, and the 12 step recovery principles and how it relates. 

• The RN must possess mental and emotional stability to assist the clients. This includes the ability to critically think and have emotional intelligence. The Nurse must have a strong mental foundation to be proactive in difficult situations that arise from a residential and be able to use a non-judgmental approach to assist in their treatment plan. 

• The nurse must be able to develop relationships with boundaries in order to be influential. This includes relationships with staff so they can develop trust while providing a positive culture within the facility and/or other facilities. The Nurse should have self-awareness/reflection and demonstrate professional social skills. 

• The nurse must have excellent documentation skills that ensures the applicable personnel who administers medication can perform their essential job functions. They must effectively communicate to third parties the clients’ condition(s) including, but not limited to, their physical conditions, diagnosis, vitals, and observations.  

Other Requirements 

• Ability to pass and maintain extensive background check required by the agency. 

• If in substance abuse recovery, a minimum of two years continuous sobriety/“clean time” is preferred and must be maintained throughout employment.