RN, Outpatient - Mental Health needed in Portland!
Under psychiatric supervision, the Psychiatric RN is delegated authority and responsibility for the management of nursing services for an assigned team, providing advice nurse and case management services that are consistent with the philosophy of the Mental Health department. This may include assessment, monitoring, providing feedback, coordinating services, and carrying out interventions to prevent potential complications associated with a Mental Health diagnosis and/or plan of care.Essential Functions:- Support the MH Prescriber team members by responding to patient messages related to psychotropic medication problems, questions, or routine reports; concerns about mood or behavior; questions regarding lab results; or other urgent issues that fall within the nursing scope. Assess and evaluate patients based on the DSM IV, providing telephone advice independently and within scope of the Oregon and Washington Nursing Practice Act. Triage patients as needed.- Provide patient and family education regarding side effects and efficacy of psychotropic medications and behavioral management.- Facilitate care coordination with the patient´s psychiatrist, primary care provider, other treating providers, lab, pharmacy, and others as needed.- In collaboration with the patient´s treating prescriber, provide outreach services to high risk patients. Outreach to patients as frequently as needed, ensuring patients are receiving appropriate services corresponding to the patient´s risk level. Triage and coordinate care as needed.- Assist the local MH team in hospitalizing patients, searching for available beds, arranging for transportation if needed, and ensuring patient transfers occur successfully.- Assist patients in crisis, either by telephone or in person.Qualifications:Basic Qualifications:- At least 3 years of nursing experience, with at least 2 years of experience in Mental Health.- Case management experience or coordination of care within a managed care system.- Experience in outpatient and/or acute inpatient settings.- nursing degree.- Broad-based knowledge of Mental Health diagnoses and treatment, including psychotropic medications and associated lab monitoring.- Knowledge of contributory and/or co-existing diagnoses such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, eating disorders, and chemical dependency.- Knowledge of risk factors of suicidality and lethality.- Skills and ability to assess suicidality, lethality, and to handle crisis situations.- Basic diagnostic assessment through the use of the DSM IV.- Demonstrates customer-focused service skills.- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.- Excellent problem solving skills.- Ability to work on the telephone for extended periods of time.- Computer literate.