The Gulf Coast Center- Job Description

Title: Registered Nurse - Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center

Location: 1207 S. Oak Street, La Marque, TX 77568

FLSA Status: Exempt

Working Status: Full Time with Benefits

Summary:

Under the general direction of the PMHNP Nurse Manager, the RN is responsible for providing nursing care to all individuals in the Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center which includes three 24-Hour Observation beds, 9 Extended Observation beds, and 12 Intensive Crisis Respite beds. The position provides nursing care to individuals with a mental illness and/or a co-occurring substance use/abuse diagnosis along with individuals with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and intellectual or developmental disability. Duties include delivering nursing care and coordinating nursing activities as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Utilizes the nursing process to plan, implement, document, and evaluate nursing care provided to patients under the requirements of the Texas Nurse Practice Act. Ensures medical admission criteria is met for all patients being admitted to the Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center. Works closely with state and local hospitals. Works closely with other staff in the Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center to ensure the safety of patients and staff. Performs tasks as assigned by the PMHNP Nurse Manager, the Program Manager-Lead Clinician, and designated psychiatrist. Works 12-hour shifts: either 7am - 7pm or 7pm - 7am, with flexibility to meet program needs. Responsible and accountable for the adherence to and promotion of the compliance policy. Must be able to work within a multi-disciplinary treatment team. Must have excellent engagement, time management and organizational skills.

Gulf Coast Center operates under a trauma-informed approach based on the six key principles of Safety, Trustworthiness & Transparency, peer Support, Collaboration & Mutuality, Empowerment & Choice, and Cultural, Historical & Gender issues.

Job Duties: (To be performed with or without accommodation as based on ADA requirements)

Essential Job Duties:

• Plans appropriately to provide nursing care and provides care within established guidelines and with appropriate delegation.
• Review of admission information, and follow-up with referring providers within 30 minutes of initial intake call. Provide documentation of pending admissions to oncoming shift.
• Facilitate the timely intake of clients: RN starts intake within 15 minutes of presentation at the Crisis Center.
• Plans and implements nursing care for patients that reflect sound clinical decision-making,
• Demonstrates decision-making that is clinically sound, systematic, timely, well researched and reflects awareness of impact.
• Participates in team rounds as a client advocate and is able to provide current information on client progress.
• Performs clinical nursing skills within the scope of practice for a Registered Nurse and in accordance with agency policies and procedures for individual or multiple patient assignments.
• Reports medication errors immediately upon discovery as outlined by agency policy and procedure.
• Provides nursing care with the focus on patient, environmental and technical safety.
• Assigns specific tasks, activities and functions and maintains appropriate supervision of LVN's and unlicensed personnel in agency settings for patients with a variety of health care needs in accordance with program design and structure.
• Coordinates with and documents referrals to the clinic, integrated health, and ER.
• Provide discharge referrals to appropriate medical services.
• Provides direct clinical services to patients.
• Performs thorough assessments of patients by collecting and analyzing data.
• Performs diagnostic tests, administers medications, sets up equipment and applies therapeutic treatments using standard precautions.
• Medications are administered according to the five (5) rights of administration (right patient, right medication, right time, right dose, and right route) including storage of medication and handling of medications, according to manufacturer's recommendations, and documented according to established guidelines.
• Performs medication and diagnosis education at time of medication initiation, changes, and discharge.
• Informs, explains, and educates patients and family members regarding medications, relevant treatment information, and disease processes. Provides pertinent health information at an appropriate level and includes meaningful literature to support understanding.
• Provides group education on heath related topics including medication management, nutrition, smoking cessation, diabetes etc.
• Except in emergencies, psychoactive medications are administered and documented by the RN on the Medication Administration Record (MAR), after the date and time the patient gave informed consent for psychoactive medications.
• Completes all documentation prior to the end of shift.
• Documents relevant information regarding nursing care in patient records, charts, and reports.
• Documents observations of patient signs, symptoms, test results, behaviors and response to medications and treatments by the end of the assigned shift.
• Documents daily Columbus Suicide Rating for all EOU and Crisis Respite clients.
• Complies with established agency policies/procedures, accrediting/regulatory bodies, and performance contract documentation.
• Physician orders are transcribed accurately and legibly and implemented as prescribed within the parameters established by unit policies and procedures.
• "Panic" values (lab or diagnostic results) will be accurately and legibly and implemented as prescribed within the parameters established by unit policies and procedures.
• Utilizes the correct nursing codes to accurately document the nursing services provided in accordance with agency and performance contract documentation requirements.
• Documents behavioral incidents and injuries within the electronic health record.
• Communicates regularly with supervisor.
• Consults and coordinates with an interdisciplinary team of medical providers, therapists, care coordinates and psychiatric technicians.
• Utilizes PMHNP Nurse Manager and on call support for problem solving and incident reporting. Will be responsible and accountable for the adherence to and promotion of the agency compliance policy and will require communication with various departments to foster, develop and continue our community partnerships as it relates to the position.
• Strict adherence to the professional, ethical, and legal requirements set forth in GCC's Business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.

Non-Essential Job Duties:

• Demonstrates a commitment to provide exceptional customer service to patients, clients, co-workers, and the community.
• Demonstrates an ability to perform job tasks in an appropriately responsive, culturally sensitive manner recognizing one's own biases.
• Work practices meet health and safety guidelines and requirements.
• Demonstrates dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Maintain current status in required trainings.
• Demonstrates an ability to implement trauma informed principles when working with clients and co-workers.
• Practices diversity and inclusion principles
• EOU staff are expected to utilize collaborative documentation as much as possible to have service documentation in the electronic health record by the end of their shifts. Documentation must be entered within 2 business days of service provision.

Required Education:

• Associate degree Nurse (ADN) OR
• Diploma Nurse (RN) from a three-year college OR
• Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from a four-year college or university

Required Experience:

• 2 years registered nursing experience (not including clinical hours required for education)

Preferred Experience:

• Prefer experience working with dually diagnosed mental health and substance use diagnosis and Spanish speaking.

Required Certifications:

• Registered Nurse licensed to work in Texas

Ability:

• General knowledge of mental health disorders
• Ability to establish cooperative relationships with youth, their families, and their communities.
• Ability to provide sensitivity toward family needs and preferences when providing on-going services and crisis intervention.
• Ability to work cooperatively with immediate work group and individuals external to the program.
• Knowledge of local social service network.
• Self-motivated with good time management skills.
• Mature problem-solving approach to daily work.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated PC skills.
• Requires ability to work within a team approach.
• Proficient in the use of electronic data systems including electronic health records and business software such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

Working conditions:

• Work will be performed in the Office and/or Field setting(s).
• May require varied work hours depending on need of clients.
• Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
• May require travel to various locations within Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
• Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation safe and current with all state requirements, and liability insurance.
• Navigator staff are expected to work together as part of the crisis team to have a schedule that maintains crisis services 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
• The position requires flexibility to work different shifts or on-call as needed to meet program needs.

Job Related Physical/Mental Requirements & Environmental Conditions:

Physical:

• Ability to transport, adjust and/or move items up to 55 lbs.
• Ability to ascend/descend stairs.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Ability to handle objects.
• Ability to operate office equipment.
• Ability to move around within an office setting and/or other locations as needed; may include ability to bend/twist, kneel/stoop and/or reach for items.
• Ability to push/pull, crawl/squat as it relates to PMAB requirements; may be required to perform PMAB restraints as it relates to program requirements.
• Ability to detect and write effectively.
• Ability to hear (with or without aid).
• Ability to have visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and observe objects within work setting.

Mental:

• Ability to accept constructive criticism.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance.
• Ability to understand, communicate and comprehend accurate information with others in English.
• Ability to reason and analyze effectively.
• Ability to solve practical problems as it relates to position.
• Required to pass and maintain all Center mandated trainings.

Work Site/Environmental Conditions:

• Ability to work alone.
• Ability to work closely with others.
• Ability to work closely with clients and/or family members with poor hygiene. Ability to work long and/or irregular hours.
• May be subjected to hostile environment.
• May be subjected to high crime environment.
• Potential exposure to tobacco products.
• May be subjected to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
• Subject to standard noise levels within working environment.
• Travel by motor vehicle, van, bus or plane may be required.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodations as based on ADA requirements.