CSU Lead Nurse

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assures accessible and effective 24-hour delivery of medical services appropriate to the admission and maintenance of residential crisis stabilization services including coordination with medical prescriber when necessary.
• Supervises and schedules the work of crisis stabilization nursing staff, including shift coverage, and the coordination with CSU medical providers.
• Provides for the safe storage, handling, and administration of IM and oral medications in compliance with state and federal law, departmental guidelines, and Community Services Board policy and procedure, as well as safe storage and handling of necessary medical supplies
• Call in physician medication orders to pharmacies as authorized by physician.
• Providing medical decision-making & leadership as part of CSU Leadership (along with Supervisor and Case Coordinator.)
• Provides leadership to and medical services oversight of other nurses.
• Arranges lab tests
• Practices good venipuncture techniques and administers intramuscular injections under the direction of the medical provider.
• Monitors clients for the development of side effects of medications, reporting this to the medical provider and ensuring best practice documentation
• Reviews laboratory results and reports irregularities to medical provider.
• In conjunction with CSU team, coordinates and administers a comprehensive health history, making appropriate referrals as needed for further assessment and treatment. Provides consultation to other clinical staff regarding health care issues.
• Provides leadership to the nursing team and quality assurance of the programming and delivery of the educational nursing group to include medication, health, and wellness education on an individual and group basis to residents of the facility.
• Documents client contacts and maintains client records in accordance with established Board policy and procedure;
• Participates, as necessary, with Board staff and staff of other agencies in planning services for CSU residents;
• Contributes to the positive culture of the CSU and facilitates an environment of courtesy, compassion, and respect amongst staff.
• Makes effective use of available technology, including computers, e-mail, and voice mail in order to enhance customer service;
• Maintains effective relationships with co-workers and customers based on courtesy, compassion, and respect;
• Is responsible for other duties as assigned, consistent with established Board policy.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of psychopharmacology, serious mental illness, blood drawing techniques, medical issues related to mental illness, substance abuse symptomatology, and medication side effects.
• Skills in the area of consultation and documentation and the ability to communicate with a wide variety of individuals.
• Ability to assess the nursing needs of consumers with mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders.
• Ability to dispense medications including IM injections and to draw blood.
• Ability to establish positive care-giving relationships with consumers and family members.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of nursing;
• Adherence to the code of ethics of the nursing profession;
• The ability to assess both general health problems and medication side effects;
• Ability to organize and attend to detail in the delivery of medication;
• Good interpersonal skills demonstrated good judgment, and the ability to work with considerable autonomy as well as part of a clinical team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and with private and public agency personnel.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or nursing school with a degree or diploma in nursing, current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia plus four years of nursing experience which includes experience working with mental health clients. QMHP-A credentialed as defined by DBHDS preferred. Staff member is responsible for submitting proof of license renewal to the Human Resources office.

Additional Requirements:

• Mandt Training
• CPR Certification
• AED Training
• Trauma Informed Training

Other Information:

Equipment: Standard nursing equipment, telephone; computer hardware and software as required, misc. household appliances (i.e. washer/dryer, stove, dishwasher)

Work Environment: Residential setting with normal lighting levels, temperature, air quality, ventilation, and noise levels.

Work Location: 1353 N. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Work Hazards: Standard hazards associated with a mental health treatment environment. Standard hazards associated with human service office environment including hazards associated with problem behaviors; behaviors and hazards associated with necessary use of medical procedures. Use of universal precautions required. Use of protective equipment recommended.

Work Schedule: Schedule includes weekday daytime hours. However, flexibility is required in order to meet and respond to coverage needs and individual residents’ needs. On-Call (24/7) rotation shared with CSU Coordinator and CSU Supervisor. .Regular attendance is expected.