POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead Nurse is a Registered Nurse (RN) who functions as a clinical member of the multidisciplinary team and provides recovery oriented treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to clients enrolled in the RTFA program. In addition to the following duties, the Lead Nurse provides supervision and consultation to the program's nursing staff. This position is responsible for assessing the physical and mental health needs of each program participant in conjunction with the psychiatrist, which includes planning medical interventions for inclusion in the treatment plan, providing health education, making appropriate referrals to community physicians and maintaining regular contact with the provider pharmacy. The incumbent is also responsible for management of the medication monitoring service which includes maintaining appropriate medication inventory, storage, and security systems; ensuring that all MARs are accurate and up-to-date;, and maintaining up-to-date written and verbal record keeping. Communication with other program staff regarding the clients' medical conditions and medication needs is also critical. The Lead Nurse, along with every member of the RTFA team, must adhere to DPW regulations and the policies and procedures established by the organization.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Accountability- Takes on assignments and accepts responsibility for outcomes; acts with good judgment and sound thinking; holds other accountable for their decisions and actions as warranted; complies with agency standards, policies and relevant government regulations.
2. Team Orientation- Successful in creating and promoting the cooperative effort among team members in order to identify and achieve common goals; promotes camaraderie; actively participates in conversations and activities that enhance morale and strengthen cohesiveness.
3. Integrity- Work is ethical, reliable, productive and effective; conversations and actions reflect the organization's mission and vision in a positive light and promote a favorable community perception; interactions are based on honesty and mutual respect.
4. Customer Satisfaction and Quality Services- Primary customers and secondary stakeholders report a high level of satisfaction with services; assures that the most effective services are provided in a respectful professional manner; actively seeks solutions to customer complaints, concerns, inquiries, etc.
5. Compassion- Demonstrates acceptance, respect and empathic understanding to all individuals touched by the organization (i.e., clients, colleagues, external customers); conveys hope and belief that people are not defined or limited by their disability.
6. Diversity- Uses awareness of cultural values and biases to work effectively with people of diverse cultural backgrounds; demonstrates respect for individual differences; where appropriate, recruits/promotes/mentors persons with diverse cultural backgrounds to create a more diverse workforce.
7. Continuous Learning- Strives for self-improvement through continuing education; motivated to learn new things to benefit customers and the organization; shares knowledge and information with others.
8. Communication- Demonstrates effective written and verbal skills in interactions with clients, peers, supervisors, subordinates and external customers; promptly responds to requests, questions and concerns; maintains confidentiality in compliance with all policies and regulations.
9. Safety- Operates vehicles and other equipment safely; adheres to safety protocols; reports hazards and risks; behavior contributes to a safe and secure working environment.
10. Computer Literacy- Uses available information technology to efficiently record or analyze data and to communicate information; demonstrates proficiency in use of licensed software programs.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

1. Supervision ? Demonstrates ability to provide effective leadership for the nursing component of the RTFA program; actively participates in the development of the nursing program, including input into processes, policy and procedures; offers guidance and support to the program's registered nurses and provides input into their performance evaluations.

2. Coordination of Medications & Monitoring System ? Demonstrates ability to effectively and efficiently coordinate all aspects of medication monitoring systems; monitors medications accurately and according to established procedures; ensures detailed medication assessments are completed for each client; coordinates services and client needs between psychiatrist, pharmacy, other medical professionals and other program staff; consults with community resources and families to maintain coordination in the treatment process; actively participates in decision making processes related to medication/medical issues in conjunction with the Program Director and Psychiatrist.

1. Clinical Knowledge & Skill- Utilizes experience, up-to-date nursing guidelines, psychiatric rehabilitation principles, recovery-oriented approaches and crisis intervention techniques to provide sound clinical services; demonstrates ability to conduct detailed physical health assessments and mental status exams with new clients; gathers pertinent data to be incorporated into the treatment plan and subsequent updates; demonstrates ability to model and teach clients how to become active participants in their recovery process.

4. Education ? Demonstrates ability to provide relevant, detailed medication education to clients, individually and in groups, when appropriate, to work toward increased independence with medication management; provides education to clients regarding medical conditions and overall wellness; demonstrates ability to facilitate training with staff and broader agency on medical and/or medication-related topics; provides individual supportive therapy and skills building sessions to enhance symptom management; ensures that changes are made to treatment plans as the clients' needs change.

5. Collaboration ? Performs shift management duties in coordination with other team members to promote smooth program operation; participates in staff organizational meetings; manages pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in collaboration with other nurses and psychiatrist; coordinates, schedules, and administers medical assessments of client physical health and makes appropriate referrals to community physicians.

1. Crisis Management ? Demonstrates ability to recognize and manage client crisis situations effectively; knows how to access crisis services utilizing supervisory guidance as needed; and responds professionally and effectively to crises as they present in person, in the community, or on the telephone.
2. Licensing ? Conducts and/or participates in activities which promote ongoing learning and professional development; maintains current licensed status as a Registered Nurse.
3. Documentation- Demonstrates effective management of documentation responsibilities by maintaining accurate records of all interactions with clients, other providers, vendors and representatives from external organizations; adheres to documentation guidelines as established by regulatory bodies and internal policies.

9. Perform All Other Duties as Assigned

POPULATION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

1. Uses age appropriate and recovery focused language when speaking and interacting with children, adolescents, adults and seniors with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.
2. Demonstrates necessary knowledge of laws relating to mandated reporting of suspected child abuse and exploitation of adolescents, adults and seniors with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and/or involvement with the criminal justice system.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION LEVEL OF ACCESS:

MH Data Access Requirements Model ? Registered Nurse/Admin 3

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Current licensure as Registered Nurse by State of Pennsylvania; experience working with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders, and/or forensic issues preferred.
2. Past supervisory experience preferred.
3. Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, organizational skills and the ability to effectively work with a team of other mental health professionals.
4. Strong clinical skills with working knowledge of the mental health system, psychiatric rehabilitation principles and recovery-oriented approaches.
5. Ability to effectively work with persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse disorders and forensic issues and encourage their participation with comprehensive treatment plans.
6. Act 33/34 Clearance and FBI Criminal Background Check.
7. Valid driver's license with access to a vehicle during scheduled work hours.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

All staff are required to participate in ongoing mandatory training while employed. Training requirements are detailed in the Training Matrix which is maintained by the Professional Development Department. Along with their supervisor, each staff person is responsible for reviewing the Training Matrix to determine individual training requirements and completing those requirements in a timely manner.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Minimal physical exertion required. Job primarily consists of sedentary office work and verbal communication with co-workers and clients. Some duties related to client care require periodic light lifting, bending, pushing, etc. Care should be taken to avoid repetitive motion injuries such as those experienced with extended computer keyboard use. Local travel requires the operation of an automobile.

EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work sometimes under stressful situations brought on by deadlines. Must be able to work in an environment in which contact with persons with mental illness or mental retardation is a certainty. The nature of this position may bring the incumbent in contact with persons with communicable diseases, or put the incumbent in situations where communicable diseases are present.

PROBATION EXPECTATIONS:

The first 975 hours of employment is a formal probationary period. This is a time in which the immediate supervisor and other administrators make a determination as to whether the newly hired employee is appropriate for this position. Appropriateness is based on job skill, job knowledge, demeanor, ability to work as a team member, and output.

CUSTOMERS SERVED:

Incumbents in this position should consider the following as "customers": Consumers of services in the mental health programs; program supervisors; outside vendors, SBH administration, SBH Board of Directors and SBH funding sources.

ON THE JOB HAZARDS:

This position will require travel by motor vehicle. All dangers inherent in driving or riding in a motor vehicle are present. Exposure to commercial cleaning agents is likely. MSDS training is required. The nature of this position may cause contact with individuals who are HIV positive, have hepatitis or other communicable diseases. Training in universal precautions is required. Exposure to second hand smoke is likely.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS:

A pre-employment physical check-up is required. Then, employee physical checkups are required every two years.