Behavioral Health and Medication Assisted Treatment Registered Nurse

Work Schedule Demands

Business hours are set to meet the needs of Thundermist and its patients. Nurses will be scheduled during normal hours of operation which may include evenings and weekend hours, with occasional unscheduled overtime. Based on an employee’s skills and experience, they may be asked to perform duties outside of this job description to meet the needs of the organization. As a health care organization, we rely on employees being on time and present for their scheduled shift.  All Thundermist staff are expected to arrive prior to the start of their shift so they are prepared to start on time.  

Physical Effort/Environment

• Moderate physical activity, walking, standing, stooping, and occasional lifting 

• Manual dexterity for injections, computer use, patient education/demonstration, etc. 
• Potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens, infectious diseases, and bio-hazardous materials 
• Knowledge of safety and infection control standards of practice
• Organization skills, time management

Communication Skills

Has sensitivity to the patient population we serve, by identifying cultural, social, and economic characteristics. Applies verbal and non-verbal communication skills in patient interactions and utilizes teach-back, active listening, written materials, and visual aids. Able to document clearly, competently, and concisely in the medical record. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information (HIPAA) and communicate in a professional manner with patients, families, other staff, and outside contacts.

Significant Job Functions

Behavioral Health: Provides nursing support and direct care through partnerships with patients, behavioral health, and medical providers to help patients achieve their mental health wellness goals.   

• Coordinates timely access to psychiatric appointments for patients seeking to establish or continue care
• Administer injectable medications (inclusive of long-acting injectable medications) and monitors patients for reactions/side effects, assessing AIMS scores
• Care coordination and referral to higher levels of care (i.e., inpatient, partial program, intensive outpatient care, external psychiatric care services)
• Monitor for adult and pediatric psychiatric admissions and discharges and coordinate aftercare
• Assists healthcare providers with administrative requests within the electronic health record (e-jellybean management)
• Triage SI/HI crisis calls

Medication Assisted Treatment: Provides nursing support and care management services to patients presenting for MAT, including all duties related to patient care which include, but not limited to:

• Intake assessment: review of medical history, substance use history, pain issues, mental health, current use, current prescribed and OTC medications, assess COWS scores, family history, and review of social history and supports
• Monitor Care Management Clinical Dashboard for hospitalizations/ED visits for MAT patients and coordinates aftercare related to SUD
• Monitor Clinical Dashboard for opioid OD ED related visits and provide outreach, support, and education related to treatment and harm reduction
• Work with an interdisciplinary team on withdrawal management
• Utilizes Prescription Drug Monitoring database
• Induction stabilization management, observed dosing
• Provides education and support
• Engages other team members as needed (i.e., Peer Recovery Specialist, Patient Care Coordinator, MAT Clinicians, Primary Care, Behavioral Health Clinicians, and Social Services)
• Coordinates timely access to MAT treatment (i.e., Suboxone, Subclade) for new and existing patients and works with prescribers to identify patients who would benefit from treatment, set treatment, other medical, and behavioral health goals
• Monitors patient MAT visit attendance and retention in the program. Performs outreach to re-engage patients, including post hospitalization and during the early recovery phase.
• Coordinates, supports, and administers MAT treatment and care for OB patients including any wrap-around services throughout the pregnancy

General:

• Performs screenings including routine labs, random UTOX, EKG’s, pill counts as directed by a health care provider
• Assesses, observes, and reports behavioral changes to providers/prescribers
• The nurse uses their clinical judgement to apply a nursing diagnosis related to the medical or behavioral health needs of the patient and develops appropriate interventions
• Coordinates and facilitates medication ordering, delivery, and administration when appropriate with the pharmacy/specialty pharmacy
• Medication administration and monitoring
• Triage telephone calls and web messages evaluating client’s needs/health care needs
• Provide patient education regarding medication side effects and symptom management
• Reviews and obtains signed consents, contracts, and treatment agreements as required
• Assists other members of the care team with complex behavioral health and MAT patient telephone request/communications   
• Serves as a resource to other members of the care team as related to nursing role
• Notifies patients of tests results under the guidance and knowledge of providers and make referrals to higher levels of care when appropriate
• Develops, implements, and evaluates a nursing care plan, based on the needs of the patient and family
• Provides general health care education and information for client self-care needs
• Works with medical nursing team to ensure seamless patient care
• Assist with behavioral health crisis prevention and intervention and development of Patient Safety Plans
• Work with Code Grey Team and Behavioral Early Response Teams on early verbal de-escalation
• Utilize Standing Orders and Standard Operating Procedures
• Accurately obtains vital signs
• Processes prescription requests when directed by health care provider
• Responds to codes
• Maintains standard precautions
• Assumes responsibility for professional continuing education