Behavioral Health Nurse - Assertive Community Treatment

Full Job Description

Marion County Health and Human Services is seeking a Behavioral Health Nurse to join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team— high-fidelity, person-centered, recovery-oriented mental health service delivery model that provides intensive, community-based support to adults living with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

In this role, you’ll help individuals navigate both routine and complex medical needs while supporting their overall recovery and wellness.

Most services are delivered in the community, allowing you to engage people where they are and to increase their access to services.

We’re looking for a nurse who is positive, flexible, has a can-do attitude, values teamwork, and is motivated by the opportunity to make a genuine impact in people’s lives.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Provides nursing services in behavioral health programs; including assessment and care of clients as a part of the treatment plan; evaluates medication effectiveness and other health care needs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the supervision of a Health Clinical Supervisor or Medical Director; may work under the lead direction of a Behavioral Health Nurse Senior who assigns duties, establishes goals and reviews results.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.

Requirements

Provide medical and psychiatric support to individuals with serious and persistent mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders who are enrolled in Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), with the majority of services provided in the community (i.e., individual’s homes, hospitals, jails, licensed care, shelters, etc.).

Services are delivered according to ACT’s National Program Standards, fidelity standards, and OARs, including using a person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach.

Medical Case Management

Identify psychiatric and medical needs.

Provide treatment plan directed case management to assist individuals in accessing necessary medical care, including making referrals; coordination with other agencies to obtain medical care, services, and resources for individuals; advocacy and brokerage on behalf of client to access medical care, services, and resources; and monitoring medical care.

Participate as a member of the ACT team in the evaluation of consumers' behavioral health needs, the development of treatment plans, and the delivery of behavioral health services.

Evaluate the results of treatment interventions based on feedback from consumer and/or family members, reports from treatment team members, behavioral observations, or reports from other providers.

Medical Skills Training and Consultation

• Accompany individuals to medical appointments and provide skills training to obtain medical care, support with communication and advocacy with medical professionals, help individuals understand information from medical providers, and support individuals with following through on medical recommendations, treatment, additional medical appointments, etc.
• Provide education to individuals regarding psychiatric conditions, medical conditions, medication information, and health/wellness.
• Provide education to individuals, team members, and licensed care staff on health matters, both psychiatric and medical.
• Facilitate and/or co-facilitate groups for individuals regarding health and wellness.

Medication Services

• Complete nursing assessments, including taking vitals and use of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale.
• Administer psychiatric medications under the direction of a licensed medical practitioner, performing according to Nursing Policy and Procedures, DEA regulations and Oregon Administrative Rules.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the medications, side effects and any other medication related concerns.
• Assist with management of a patient's medication regime; education of a patient regarding compliance with the prescribed regime; filling pill boxes; locating pharmacy services; and assisting in managing symptoms that do not require a prescriber's immediate attention.

• Support individuals with adherence to medication regimens, including providing reminders to individuals, providing assertive outreach to individuals in the community when necessary, administering medication, problem-solving barriers to accessing and taking medications, use of motivational interviewing, etc.
• Maintain records of drugs administered and consumer responses to the medication.

ACT Fidelity

• Participate fully as a member of the Marion County Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team as a supportive, reliable, positive, collaborative, and professional team member during the development of individual treatment planning, daily clinical team meetings, and client crisis intervention.
• Follow ACT’s National Standards, fidelity criterion, and OARs.
• Provide community outreach.
• Participate in after-hours on-call rotation to provide coverage to support individuals in crisis and provide coordination with other agencies and providers.

Documentation

• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with federal, state, county, and treatment program requirements under the direction of the clinical supervisor.
• Meet performance expectations for time and billing standards.

Miscellaneous

• Work with a team of clinicians and supervisor for clinical supervision, treatment planning, staff and departmental meetings, and trainings.
• Employee must be able to drive county vehicles. At least 75% of services are provided in the community, including individual homes, hospitals, jails, licensed care, shelters, etc.).
• Hours of work may include weekends.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Response Level 2: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100 and 700 on-line or in-person training.

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

1. Bachelor's degree in nursing or a related field (e.g., health education, psychology, or social work); AND
2. One year of behavioral health nursing, or other related experience; OR
3. Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Oregon at the time of appointment.
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This is a Safety Sensitive/Special Needs position. Must pass a post offer drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy #518 is located at: https://www.co.marion.or.us/BOC/Pages/policies.aspx

This position may be subject to the following: Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No.

12549).

• This assignment is represented by a union.
• This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of behavioral health nursing practices and community behavioral health services; ability to function independently with limited supervision and cooperate with others in the assigned service area. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; recognize consumers' behavioral health and health care needs and concerns; maintain constructive relationships with consumers; accept and utilize administrative direction, supervision, and consultation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; bends forward; stoops; climbs 1 floor of stairs; reaches overhead; lifts and carries up to 15 lbs.; operates a keyboard; speaks clearly and audibly; reads a 12 pt. font; distinguishes colors; hears a normal level of speech; works in areas that may be exposed to heat, cold, humidity, dust, smoke, noise, and chemicals; works in areas that may be wet or uneven.