Hours
PRN – minimum of 1-2 days per month
7am – 7pm in person as needed, we can provide some flexibility with these hours
POSITION SUMMARY
The Behavioral Health APRN is a member of the CIC team, and works with a multi-disciplinary team to provide and coordinate optimal services for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health crisis. The APRN manifests a high level of expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, through the person served-/family-centered lens. The APRN is an expert clinician who delivers direct care, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. This position requires the ability to be on-call, and rotation of holidays. If there are periods when your primary responsibilities are limited, you may be asked to assist in other areas as needed to support overall operations, regardless of your specific role. This position is essential to operations and must be staffed at all times. Therefore, the current employee in this role will need to remain in place until a replacement is able to assume responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Collect comprehensive health data using assessment techniques based on knowledge and research.
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Diagnostic tests and procedures are initiated based on health and treatments, with consideration for insurance benefits.
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Conduct point of care testing, including vital signs, urine drug screen, and breathalyzer test, as well as order and interpret laboratory data and diagnostic tests
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Critically analyze the assessment data and provides a diagnosis.
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Define expected outcomes consistent with assessment data, diagnoses, and current scientific and practice knowledge.
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Develop and document a comprehensive plan of care that describes the assessment/diagnostic strategies, reflects current health care knowledge, and includes delegation of responsibilities to others.
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Prescribe/intervene within the scope of advanced practice as defined by state and federal regulations, and through consultation with an MD on staff when necessary.
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Pharmacological agents are prescribed based on psychopharmacology knowledge and physiological principles.
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Intended effects and potential adverse effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are monitored.
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Evaluate the accuracy of the diagnoses and effectiveness of interventions in relation to attainment of the individual’s expected outcomes.
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Participate on an interdisciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, pharmaceutical, clinical, and administrative staff to provide services as well as collaborating with external providers and incorporating health and wellness needs into the overall plan of care for persons served
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Refer to community health care providers for further assessment and treatment
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Educate person served about their illness(es) and providing them with health management information and techniques
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Informs and discusses the roles and parameters of the relationship with the person served.
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Completes all required documentation in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
- Work as part of an integrated treatment team, collaborating with the person served, family members or others involved in the person’s served treatment, and other treatment team members (internal and external).
- Provide services which are recovery-oriented and person-/family- centered, utilizing a strengths-based approach.
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Provide services to meet the whole health needs of individuals served.
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Utilize appropriate assessment instruments to help monitor the progress of individuals served and ensure necessary services are received in appropriate intensity and duration.
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Consistently demonstrate the ability to work effectively within a team as well as individually.
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Consistently demonstrate effective communication skills with persons served, coworkers and supervisors.
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Assure compliance with program policies and procedures.
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Meet performance and productivity standards set by the agency
- Demonstrate effective de-escalation and restraint techniques per agency policy and training
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Utilize Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) as appropriate.
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Other Duties
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Demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence
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Approach interactions with persons served, collaterals, and colleagues with a trauma sensitive lens.
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Acts as an ambassador of the agency in the community setting, which may include doing public educational and informational presentations.
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Support and actively promote the vision and mission of the agency and the philosophy of the strength’s perspective
- Complete and maintains agency and department trainings on yearly basis.
- Complete all assigned duties each shift, both written and implied.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
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Requires a master’s degree in nursing. Must meet the criteria for APRN registration, have a Registered Nurse license in the State of Kansas, and be eligible for all third-party reimbursements.
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Experience preferred in the areas of psychopharmacology, psychopathology, DSM–V diagnostic criteria, theory-based practice, group dynamics, and written/verbal communication.
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Must maintain Kansas State licensure and national certification
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Must remain current with CPR certification
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Valid Kansas driver’s license, access to reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance.
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Must have good command of the English language; must be able to read, communicate clearly and therapeutically with person’s served and staff, both verbally and in writing, in a professional manner.
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Must be proficient at basic computer skills, keyboarding and word processing skills
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Must be able to pass KBI security check, and DCF Child and Adult Abuse Registry check.
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Assignment at the CIC requires pre-employment physical, drug screening, flu immunization and TB screening prior to starting any position. All must be completed or in process/scheduled to be cleared for new hire orientation. Annual flu vaccinations and bi-annual TB screening are required.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
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Excellent understanding of community resources, or ability to consistently research resources effectively
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
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Able to manage crisis situations while always presenting professionally
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Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
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Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to be a team player
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills
- Ability to take and supply constructive feedback
- Excellent understanding of Risk Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Managing Aggressive Behaviors, and Trauma Informed Care.
- Able to maintain confidentiality of consumer information
- Strong professional boundaries.
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Able to be responsible and work independently
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Able to maintain flexibility and dependability in a work schedule based on the needs of the program.
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Able to balance person served need vs. documentation requirements for productivity, team coverage, and scheduling requirements while also allowing for triage of increased consumer risks and need, with person served stabilizing and in crisis.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite with ability to learn other software programs as necessary including Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
COMPETENCIES:
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Professionalism—the individual professionally interacts with employees and consumers and models a positive teamwork attitude regardless of crisis.
- Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully, and communicates professionally.
- Triage—the individual is able to assess crisis needs within the team and within their caseload, to effectively prioritize and multitask one’s schedule based on resolving crisis needs for consumers.
- Leadership—the individual inspires and motivates others to perform well, accepts feedback from others, and takes lead in all tasks needed to promote program cohesiveness.
- Quality management—the individual looks for ways to improve and promote quality services and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
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Unconditional positive regard—the individual is able to treat all staff and consumers with dignity and respect at all times, regardless of age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, diagnosis, history, or socioeconomic status.
- Judgment—the individual displays willingness to make decisions to safeguard Valeo programs and consumer care. Exhibits sound, accurate, and ethical judgment and makes timely decisions and correspondence.
- Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans balance of documentation and coverage of consumer needs. Uses time efficiently and maintains productivity.
- Safety and security—the individual observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.
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Interpersonal skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
- Oral communication—the individual speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations and demonstrates one-on-one and group presentation skills.
- Written communication—the individual edits work for spelling and grammar, presents data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information.
Other Physical Requirements:
This position requires the ability to work in an intermittently high stress environment and handle a variety of works tasks simultaneously. Must be able to perform day-to-day physical requirements of the position, including but not limited to- 20% of scheduled time; data entry, answering the phone and computer work, 80% of scheduled time; able to lift up to 50 pounds, frequently moving around the building and community, repetitive moving, carrying and lifting as the job demands. Must be able to kneel, bend, squat, and hold on to a person, in order to restrain an out-of-control person served.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Inpatient crisis center position requiring a flexible schedule and the ability to manage frequent interruptions. This direct service role involves working with adults and families, including individuals with special needs or those experiencing crisis. Documentation is completed in an electronic medical record and requires regular computer use, phone use and proficient typing skills.
Astra Mental Health and Recovery is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious practices, in accordance with applicable law and guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Astra does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, training, corrective action, and termination.
