Behavioral Health Nurse I/II

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position provides direct patient care and assessment, as well as coordinates care between providers and interdisciplinary team members; assists patients in their recovery process by being person-centered and providing support towards optimal and realistic goals. Serves under the general direction of the Behavioral Health Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Conducts behavioral health nursing assessments including: presenting problem, gathering information regarding history, symptoms, current and previous psychiatric medications, previous treatment or therapy, etc. Secures medication consent documents.

Develops initial treatment recommendations; completes psychiatric appointment referral and scheduling as needed.

Provides clinical nursing services to behavioral health including coordination with various providers, counselors, social workers, hospitals and physicians both internal and external to the organization and BH unit.

Consults with staff psychiatrists in diagnosis, treatment planning, other provider coordination, medication prescriptions, administration, monitoring and scheduling.

Monitors clients under psychiatrists care including symptom assessment, response to medication, side or adverse effects, and documenting observations.

Administers and monitors psychiatric medications, including injections; coordinates and consults with other providers including social workers, therapists, community caregivers, etc. May involve picking up prescriptions/supplies and filling med planners.

Coordinates with pharmacists, onsite and externally, to provide refills, current prescriptions and medication prior authorizations.

Provides emergency services including assessing suicidal and/or homicidal individuals; makes decisions regarding safety.

Responds to potential psychiatric emergencies by performing counseling and appropriate interventions including contacting medical staff, law enforcement, or arranging for hospitalization or admission.

Performs triage work in various crisis situations by stabilizing the client until determination or plan of care is developed.

Coordinates and consults as needed, with various internal and external staff to facilitate mental health treatment, planning, intervention; or admissions to various facilities.

Provides ongoing case coordination with those involved in client's care.

Consults with treatment team and attends client meetings; consults with professionals; collaborates with family members and other community partners.

Maintains medical records as required.

Other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the principles, standards, practices and techniques of professional nursing.

Knowledge of the inherent dangers and precautions to be taken in using drugs and other medication.

Knowledge of treatment, assessment, immunization and related medical services for patients in area of assignment.

Knowledge of electronic records systems.

Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.

Ability to develop, interpret and implement department policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.

Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of situations.

Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.

Ability to maintain discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations.

Organizational and time management skills needed to meet deadlines.

Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

Ability to use good judgement and effectively solve problems. LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to communicate effectively with other members of the staff, supervisor, and the public.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal form.

Must be proficient in workplace English and spelling.

Ability to read County policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, etc. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate mathematical calculations. REASONING ABILITY

Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.

Ability to develop, interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.

Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of situations.

Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.

Ability to maintain discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations.

Organizational and time management skills needed to meet deadlines.

Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

Ability to define problems and deal with a variety of situations.

Ability to think quickly, maintains self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.

Ability to use good judgement and effectively solve problems. PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee s supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.

Work has standard vision requirements.

Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.

Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.

Work frequently requires exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.

May require dealing with persons who are hostile, aggressive, abusive or violent, posing threatening conditions. Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily in an office setting. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Behavioral Health Nurse I

Associate's degree from a nursing program accredited by the National Professional Nursing Accrediting Organization.

Wisconsin Registered Nurse license required.

Three years nursing experience in a health care or community support program, with focus on behavioral health preferred.

Must successfully pass criminal and caregiver background check. Behavioral Health Nurse II

Bachelor's degree from a nursing program accredited by the National Professional Nursing Accrediting Organization.

Wisconsin Registered Nurse license required.

Three years nursing experience in a health care or community support program, with focus on behavioral health preferred.

Must successfully pass criminal and caregiver background check.

Behavioral Health Nurse I:

Full Pay Range: $65,229 - $90,875

Expected Pay Range: $65,229 - $73,798

Behavioral Health Nurse II:

Full Pay Range: $68,494 - $95,430

Expected Pay Range: $68,494 - $77,501

FTE: 1.0

Department: HHS - Behavioral Health

St. Croix County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to an individual's race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.