Registered Nurse - Intake (Santa Rosa)

Pay range: 60$ - 78$

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

To assess the needs of prospective patients and phone callers and ensure their referral to the service or resource to best address those needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responds to telephone and face-to-face inquiries from persons seeking mental health care or information about mental health-related services.
• Through a systematic process of interaction with patients, the patient's significant others, and the appropriate health care providers, collects and analyzes data regarding the patient's physical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational, spiritual, cultural and anticipated discharge needs; determines patient's alcohol or drug toxicity; identifies signs of withdrawal; conducts screenings or assessments to determine needs of treatment.
• The care and treatment of the patient are rendered in a competent manner and are based on current chemical dependency and psychiatric nursing/clinical knowledge and standards; care is evaluated against the goals and plan of care and is revised as needed and appropriate to the patient.
• Facilitates the patient's access to the appropriate level of care and setting.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with patient services counselors and coordinators, intake department, physicians and health professional affiliates, healthcare facilities, and nursing staff.
• Demonstrates good skills in assessing client's crisis and clinical indicators via phone and in-person and documenting such on a call sheet and scheduling assessment as clinically appropriate.
• Prepares written report of assessment results in a timely manner (immediately following completed assessment) and includes recommendations for the level of care and treatment needs.
• Makes appropriate interventions during assessments, and crisis situations with clients, family/friends and other professional staff.
• Assesses need for involuntary hospitalization evaluation and contacts country crisis team, law enforcement or 5150 Certified employee as needed to ensure the safety of client and others.
• Enters the data of calls and assessments in the computer system in a timely manner.
• Assists clients who are not admitted into a program with follow-through of clinical referrals and recommendations.
• Provides pertinent clinical information to physician and program staff who will be reviewing the patient to ensure a smooth transition for the patient.
• Distributes documentation of admissions to the Business Office, Admitting Unit and the Utilization Review Department.
• Maintains knowledge of developmental tasks and sociological theories of pertinent age groups.
• Maintains knowledge of legal guidelines pertaining to Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA)/Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and abuse/neglect reporting.
• Communicates with managed care organizations to obtain insurance pre-authorizations in a timely manner.
• Stays abreast of organization's programs and services.
• Participates in activities which enhance professional growth and development
• Performs related duties, as requested.
• Upholds the Organization’s ethics and customer services standards
• Cross train as Inpatient Registered Nurse and perform duties, as assigned, including but not limited to the following:

-          Proficiency in medication preparation and passing to patients in any location of the inpatient setting, including psychotropic and non-psychotropic medication.

-          Admission, discharge, progress notes and any additional required documentation.

-          Providing patient care by routinely demonstrating knowledge of mental health diagnosis, standard of care, evidence-based practice, high risks for mental health patients, National Patient Safety Goals and models of care.

-          Direct patient care and milieu management, including oversight of MHT’s and ancillary staff.

• Cross train in the processing of Referrals, including but not limited to the following:

-          Review of patient referral packet.

-          Interdisciplinary communication.

-          Adherence to the standards of Green-Yellow-Red light criteria.

-          Processing of insurance.

-          Proficiency in navigating electronic data entry systems.

Requirements

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision: see details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Ability to stoop, lift, finger (pick, pinch or type and grasp)
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Lift up to ten (10) pounds.
• POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
• Knowledge and Experience:
• Current Registered Nurse in the state of California
• Inpatient experience preferred
• Familiarity with continuum of care and clinical terminology
• Knowledge of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnostic criteria
• ·         Current CPR certificate or obtained during initial orientation period.
• ·         Handle with Care (HWC) certificate or obtained during initial orientation period.
• Skills and Abilities:
• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
• Knowledgeable of patient rights and laws pertaining to mental health
• Assessment and intervention skills
• Persuasive manner and skills in overcoming denial and resistance to treatment
• Ability to concentrate on task in high traffic areas

Benefits

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• 401(k)
• 3.5 Weeks Paid Time Off
• $25,000 Life insurance policy is provided at no charge to the employee