What are the responsibilities and job description for the Psychiatric Nurse - Psychiatric Outpatient Services position at City of Alexandria, VA?
Psychiatric Nurse – Psychiatric Outpatient Services
Department of Community and Human Services
Position Overview:
This position provides specialized nursing services in the psychiatric-mental health field which include psychiatric nursing assessments, mental health therapies, the administering and monitoring of medication, case management services, after-care, home visitation and crisis intervention to clients suffering from severe mental illness. An incumbent in this class is responsible for a caseload of such clients who may also have a substance use disorder, acute or chronic medical disorders, or be at risk for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, TB, and STDs. This part-time position (20 hours/weekly) offers a flexible schedule based upon the needs of clinical operations and applicant availability.
Examples of Duties:
- Assesses patients with severe mental illness, determines nursing needs including medication, and intervenes in emergencies with consumers in crisis;
- Collaborates with physicians and other health professionals to develop holistic plans for the health care services of patients;
- Dispenses, coordinates and monitors consumer medication;
- Administers long-acting neuroleptic medications by injection while ensuring that medication orders are current, evaluating side effects, observing for signs of over/under medication, and documenting receipt of medications;
- Provides health education to patients individually to enhance health literacy, compliance and insure lifestyle changes;
- Provides individual nursing counseling and works with families to assist them in understanding and accepting the patients' illness;
- Supports operation of the medication room;
- Keeps accurate records of patients participating in the weekly shot clinic and schedules ongoing clinic appointments;
- Consults with case coordinators for follow up on patients seen in medication clinic;
- Notifies case coordinators and psychiatrist of patients failure to show for injectable medication appointment or medication planners;
- Ensures that practices used in dispensing medication and disposing of hazardous waste are in accordance with OSHA safety standards;
- Evaluates patients at risk and refers to emergency services team for pre-screens to determine need of hospitalization, detention or commitment and assists in discharge planning for their return to the community;
- Evaluates patients at risk and refers to emergency services team for pre-screens to determine need of hospitalization, detention or commitment and assists in discharge planning for their return to the community;
- Refers patients and families to care coordinators to seek community resources for housing, health care, financial and legal assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment services, transportation assistance and entitlement programs;
- Provides minimal case coordination to patients, involving regular and recurring contact with them to ensure medication compliance;
- Administers TB tests to staff and consumers, if required;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
What We Are Looking For:
The ideal candidate should have thorough knowledge of the theories, techniques and practices of community mental health nursing; thorough knowledge of and ability to provide intensive case management, case coordination, individual and group counseling, and family and patient teaching; ability to work with individuals who have multiple impairments; ability to make and implement clinical decisions; ability to screen, assess and apply treatment to patients; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, patients and community providers; ability to solve unusual and difficult clinical problems; ability to formulate and advise on policy and develop, administer and provide advice on programs; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
To be considered for this position, the candidate must have a Master's degree in psychiatric /mental health nursing or other clinical specialty related to the area of assignment; experience as an Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (P/MH APRN) in the specialty area of psychiatric/mental health nursing, substance use disorder, intellectual disabilities, or relevant clinical specialty; eligibility for certification as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (P/MH APRN) and for registration as a P/MH ARPN in the Commonwealth of Virginia; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities; license by the Commonwealth of Virginia or via Multi-State Privilege to practice as a Registered Nurse in Virginia; some positions within this class will require a National Provider Identifier; possession of a valid driver's license issued by the state of residence; ability to comply with program objectives and policies and procedures.
About Our Program:
At the Department of Community and Human Services, we envision a community in which residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. We strive to provide effective and essential safety net services that measurably improve or maintain the quality of life for Alexandrians. As a team member of the Center for Adult Services (CAS), you will play an integral part in providing compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.
What we offer you:
In addition to an awesome group of people to work with, the City of Alexandria offers great benefits!
The following benefits are available to you, as a part-time employee (working 20 hours / week) of the City of Alexandria. Annual, sick, holiday and funeral leave benefits are pro-rated.
Standard Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance (excluding sworn personnel)
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Annual and Sick Leave (pro-rated)
- Paid City Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary Benefits:
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Sick Leave Bank
The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is also a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Use the following link to access the PSLF website and learn about this program in detail: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Master's degree in psychiatric /mental health nursing or other clinical specialty related to the area of assignment; experience as an Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (P/MH APRN) in the specialty area of psychiatric/mental health nursing, substance use disorder, intellectual disabilities, or relevant clinical specialty; eligibility for certification as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (P/MH APRN) and for registration as a P/MH ARPN in the Commonwealth of Virginia; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities; license by the Commonwealth of Virginia or via Multi-State Privilege to practice as a Registered Nurse in Virginia; some positions within this class will require a National Provider Identifier; possession of a valid driver's license issued by the state of residence; ability to comply with program objectives and policies and procedures.
Preferred Qualifications
Considerable experience in psychiatric nursing; Master's degree in psychiatric nursing, counseling psychology, social work, or a related field.
Notes
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment checks to include FBI/Federal Records; Medicare/Medicaid Database; Commonwealth of Virginia child abuse registry; Education/Certifications Verification; Sheriff's Office clearance, where required, and DMV record and Valid Driver's License.
Schedule: Two days/weekdays will be decided upon hiring.
