Registered Nurse (Rn)-Per Diem, Substance Use

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Office-based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) Registered Nurse is a position with the Massachusetts General Hospital Program for Substance Use and Addiction Services (PSAS), hospital-wide program to improve access to evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) care. This position will provide care in the Bridge Clinic, a transitional clinic that works to engage and stabilize high risk patients before connecting them to long-term care in the community. The Registered Nurse is responsible for assuring competent, compassionate, individualized, nursing care for patients with SUD. This role collaborates all members of the care team to ensure that patient care is coordinated, comprehensive, and that care transitions are seamless. This is a part-time per diem position, with primary hours from 8:30AM-1PM on Saturdays & Sundays. Additional per diem hours during the week available to add as desired.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide competent, compassionate, evidence-based nursing care utilizing the nursing process and interdisciplinary teamwork, and collaboration.

• Actively manage patient flow, including rooming and triaging

• Triage and help identify level of care and intervention needed in cases of substance intoxication or withdrawal

• Expedite appropriate care and treatment of the patient utilizing assessment, critical reasoning and clinical judgment,

• Integrate knowledge of each patient's history and unique circumstances

• Document nursing assessment, interventions, plan and outcome in the patient record in a timely manner

• Assess, triage, provide nursing consultation, and perform follow-up and surveillance of patient status and outcomes, utilizing a variety of telecommunications technologies

• Create a therapeutic relationship with patient and family

• Provide health education to facilitate patient treatment, including but not limited to medications for SUD and PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis), safer drug use, prevention of infections

• Respect and support patient and family's cultural beliefs and values, individual needs, health goals and treatment preferences.

Work with the pharmacy and the outpatient team to obtain medication orders, prescriptions, refills, and communication as needed

• Complete toxicology screening for patients

• Assess and medically manage withdrawal from opioids appropriate to the level of care provided, or refer for a higher level of care if indicated, using and appropriately interpreting standardized screening and assessment tools and standard withdrawal assessment scales

• Provide outpatient pharmacotherapy for addiction, including opioid antagonist or agonist therapy such as naltrexone, buprenorphine and methadone.

• Administer injectable SUD pharmacotherapy as indicated

• Consult with members of the treatment team and other treatment professionals to devise an individualized plan for optimal psychosocial treatment for individual patients.

• Work as part of a team involved in intensive case management of individuals with substance use disorders

Collaborate with all members of the health care team to ensure coordination of care.

• Review and follow-up with patients, and members of the health care team, to ensure that patients are current with all necessary tests, screenings and follow-up care

• Attend weekly all team rounds

• Track and follow-up with care team and patient on all critical referrals and test results.

• Evaluate effectiveness of care and interventions for assigned group of patients, in collaboration with the health care team

• Communicate with members of the health care team, including in-patient and outpatient teams, to ensure continuity in care transitions

• Create a healthy, respectful work environment

Professional Development

• Maintain and updates clinical knowledge and skills based on current nursing practice.

• Adhere to departmental requirements for required training.

• Identify specific learning needs and goals and collaborates with nursing leadership in developing a plan to meet them.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• BLS Certification

• Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) certification required or willingness to achieve CARN certification in first 9 months of employment

• Proficiency in toxicology screening and addiction pharmacotherapy treatment options, including long acting injectable medications (or willingness to learn)

• Understanding of the philosophy of harm reduction

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Strong patient communication and patient education skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

EDUCATION

• Graduate of an accredited nursing program.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred; new graduates must have a BSN degree.

EXPERIENCE

• 3-5 years clinical experience required with experience treating patients with substance use disorders and/or HIV/Hepatitis preferred.