Registered Nurse, Crisis Serv

POSITION SUMMARY: As a member of the Interdisciplinary Team, the Registered Nurse (RN) provides outreach to individuals receiving crisis supports in concert with other members of the mobile crisis team. The RN provides basic medical assessment and care within the scope of their training/practice and function as a link to Crisis Response Centers and Emergency Departments as needed. The RN plays an integral role in all services provided by the mobile crisis team, including rapid response to community crises, assessment, crisis stabilization planning, trauma-informed approach, social determinants of health screening and referrals, community engagement, and linking individuals to other services to meet their immediate and long-term needs. The RN provides the program Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) with additional consultative support for more complex cases.

The RN practices within the scope of Pennsylvania's Nurse Practice Act and in accordance with Elwyn's policies and procedures and those of Elwyn's regulatory agencies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Take crisis calls and assess the situation, e.g. ask questions from the caller to determine if there is imminent danger in situations including but not limited to a client wielding a knife, harm to self or others is evident, unresponsiveness of an client; advise 9-1-1 that emergency services are to be called to the scene to manage the situation
• Dispatch to the crisis scene(s) in the greater Philadelphia area using Elwyn vehicles as part of the Mobile Crisis Team; complete a safety assessment of the environment upon arrival at the scene and conduct an expeditious yet thorough nursing assessment to include the mental health status of the client, determine immediate first aid needs and determine need for police or ambulance transport to the appropriate disposition, e.g. Crisis emergency room or medical emergency room, as appropriate, for continuity of care
• Provide assessment and reason for recommendations for hospitalization to the appropriate emergency department via phone call, communicating the details of the crisis including the reason for the referral and then sending any appropriate documentation of the encounter to ensure continuity of care
• Document the hospitalization at the mobile crisis program in the client's electronic health record including but not limited to the client's name, the crisis encounter, who was notified at the hospital, and all documentation provided on the client's behalf to the hospital to ensure accuracy of records and program compliance
• Consult with community agencies and families through phone calls, as indicated from the encounter, to ensure continuity of care
• Collaborate, if possible and known, with the client's community resources to communicate findings, obtain historical information, and notify them of the encounter; document the collaboration in the client's health care record
• Provide on-call crisis intervention during the assigned shift and serve as a backup to evening and weekend staff, and at other times, when needed
• Document any and all client encounters making sure they are accurately maintained in the electronic health records according to established methods and regulatory standards
• Participate in staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings to provide updates on clients and to share and learn best practices, to provide most effective quality of care
• Administer medications at the crisis scene, as needed, e.g. Narcan, EpiPen, based on the encounter situation to provide quality care to the client
• Provide general symptom education in community settings to promote mental health services, resource awareness and teach behavioral management techniques to promote program awareness
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, crisis intervention and medication administration using agency-trained protocols
• Maintain valid certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid to ensure safe and efficient client care and to be in program compliance
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Provide guidance and support to the LPNs by assessing any data presented to the RN

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Clinical Director of Crisis Services

DIRECT REPORTS: None

CONTACTS: Elwyn clients, Elwyn staff, agency staff, families/guardians, physicians, health care providers, regulatory agencies, and service agencies such as pharmacies, emergency medical and hospital personnel

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Registered Nurse (RN) license in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Knowledge and understanding of program regulating bodies (e.g. Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services OMHSAS, Department of Behavioral Health) preferred
• Two (2) years of psychiatric or chemical dependency nursing experience
• One (1) year experience in a medical surgical environment
• Supervisor experience preferred
• Knowledge of detox protocols preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage and prioritize multiple, often competing, priorities
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent judgment with the ability to independently solve problems and make decisions with little or no need for direct supervision
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions
• Must be able to perform CPR and crisis intervention using agency-trained protocols
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated basic experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Knowledge of Electronic Health Record (EHR) / Electronic Medical Record (EMR) preferred
• Must have current, valid driver's license in state of residence, three (3) years driving experience in the United States, and acceptable driving record