SUMMARY:

The Mental Health Nurse coordinates the STRTP residents’ overall medical care and medication management. He/she ensures that all medical and medication needs are identified and properly communicated upon intake, discharge, and throughout the residents’ stay at SCCS. He/she assists the psychiatrist in areas of maintaining quality care, implementation of psychotropic medication services, and completion of all paperwork. The Mental Health Nurse ensures that all documentation pertaining to medical care and medication is accurate and complete.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience

1. The candidate must be a Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Psychiatric Technician, Registered Nurse, or have a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. 
2. Minimum of 3 years of work experience in the behavioral health field preferred. Minimum of 1 year of work experience dealing with psychotropic medications required. 

Licensure, Registration, Certification

1. LVN, LPT, or RN current and in good standing, or a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. 
2. Valid CA driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
3. Completion of CPR/First Aid and Pro-ACT certification upon being hired.
4. Completion of SCCS Medication Certification upon being hired and maintained throughout employment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Microsoft Outlook.  
• Must be able to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to author and produce their own emails, letters, reports and other documents in a professional manner. That is, documents and correspondence should be relatively free of grammar and spelling errors.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with all levels of employees within the organization, to include peers, co-workers and supervisors.
• Must be detail oriented and have the ability to complete documentation in a timely manner.
• Excellent time management, organizational and follow through skills.
• Ability to appear to work every day and on time. Must have reliable transportation as travel up to 2 hours between office locations and within the community is required. 
• Ability to follow directions from a supervisor.
• Ability to understand and follow posted, printed and/or electronic work rules and procedures.
• Ability to accept constructive criticism in a respectful, open and interactive manner.
• Experience working with people over the phone.
• Must have the ability to perform efficiently and effectively with multiple interruptions.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reviews medical and psychiatric history of all incoming residents and consults with treatment team regarding resident’s needs.
• Oversees the process for requesting, receiving, and tracking court consents for psychotropic medication. Ensures current copies of all consents are kept in the residents’ charts.
• Oversees the ordering, receiving, and logging in of medication cycles monthly.
• Creates and double checks Centrally Stored Medication Documents and Medication Administration Records (MAR’s) monthly by cross-referencing with physician’s orders as well as previous month’s MAR’s.  
• Places Centrally Stored Documents and MAR’s in medication books monthly and files previous month’s documents in appropriate location.
• Oversees the auditing of STRTP medication books to verify medications are being counted, dispensed, administered, and destroyed properly and that documentation is being completed accurately.
• Oversees the auditing of residents’ medical charts to ensure that all documentation pertaining to medical care and medication is accurate and complete.
•  Reviews documentation to assess effectiveness of as-needed medications on a monthly basis.
• Reviews Special Incident Reports as needed regarding medication and/or medical issues. 
• Updates Medication Change Forms bi-monthly.
• Provides staff training for all levels of personnel on medication and medical policies and procedures.
• Maintains communication with attending psychiatrists, physicians, school nurses, and other medical personnel as indicated.
• Reviews medication policies and procedures and implements changes as necessary.
• Coordinates with therapists, families, and staff regarding psychiatric medication and medical issues.
• Interprets and advises staff of medication orders and other pertinent medication issues.
• Provides written notice of all medication changes to each program as they happen.
• Ensures compliance with SCCS Program Statement, Title 22, CCL, and Orange County Mental Health/Medi-Cal standards and regulations regarding psychotropic medication.
• Creates and completes monthly and quarterly audit reports.
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Management reserves the right to add, change, delete or rescind duties or responsibilities of positions within the job classification at any time.