PROGRAM NURSE

Nurse (Residential Program) 18RN1

Gilead Community Services is seeking a caring and recovery-oriented RN to join our multi-disciplinary residential and outpatient addiction program. 

About the position

The RN for Gilead’s New Britain area adult residential substance use disorder treatment program works 40 hours, Wednesday - Saturday 9a-5p to provide medical care, oversee medication administration and pharmacology issues, facilitate coordination of care between the treatment team and external providers, and provide medical knowledge and education to team members.

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree:  RN with a Bachelor’s Degree required from an accredited program to practice as a Registered Nurse.  Connecticut licensure for Registered Nurse required. Preferred certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
• Number of Years of Experience: 3 Total
  
• Prior medical and clinical experience in the field of mental health and addictions treatment.
• Current knowledge of Psychopharmacology, MAT treatment, and psychiatric and substance use diagnoses and treatments
• Must maintain and provide proof of valid driver’s license and automobile insurance in good standing.
• Reliable use of personal vehicle as needed

Benefits:

• Generous paid vacation, sick, and personal time plus paid holidays
• Affordable, employer-sponsored medical and dental insurance (Gilead pays 88%)
• Employer-provided long-term disability and life insurance (Gilead pays 100%)
• Scholarship, and professional development opportunities
• Hands-on learning experience and mentorship
• Paid training, education, and certification as necessary (including CPR training)
• Opportunities for growth within Gilead

This is a non-union position and pays $36.75/hour to $46.50/hour dependent on level of education and experience.

Responsibilities:

• Receives clinical supervision from the Nurse Supervisor and administrative oversight by the Program Director and Clinical Department Director.
• Functions as a liaison between the Program(s), the prescribers, the physician, and LPN staff to facilitate communication of ongoing changes in client mental health status and medication issues as well as identifying medication effectiveness and side effects.
• Provides clinical knowledge regarding mental health and substance use disorders as well as medical knowledge related to heath and well being.
• Supports the Nurse Supervisor in leading an effective program by implementing clinical services, best practice models of care and daily functions as required by contractual and regulatory bodies.
• Conducts Health Histories, Initial Nursing Assessments, and medical evaluations of emergent medical issues of clients as needed, identifying potential issues and trends. Makes the appropriate community referrals to ensure clients have basic health needs met.
• Provides ongoing medical education to program staff, both informally and in training formats.
• Ensures, in conjunction with Nurse Supervisor, that staff receive proper orientation, training and in the medication administration and monitors medication errors.
• Identifies potential systems issues that may negatively impact the implementation of the medication administration system and makes recommendations for change.
• Supports the processes for all contractual agreements, certifications or licensing regulations including but not limited to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), the Department of Public Health (DPH), 1115 Waiver, and CARF.
• Maintains and implements the recovery philosophies with direct implications to staff, clients, family, and community development.
• Assists the Nurse Supervisor in ongoing development and evaluation of medical policies and procedures.
• Maintains communication, in conjunction with Recovery Care Managers and Clinicians, with other agencies or persons involved in the care and support of clients, particularly in regard to medical and psychiatric issues. 
• Maintains contact with MD’s (i.e., psychiatrists, PCP’s, specialists, etc.) to coordinate medical and psychiatric care of individuals and works closely with the pharmacies to facilitate proper pharmaceutical care.
• Screens client referral paperwork for medical issues and ensures those issues are manageable at the residential level of care. Conducts additional phone screening with referral sources if necessary to determine appropriateness of referral.
• Participates in program meetings, clinical meetings and ad hoc work groups in an effort to carry out the mission of the program within and outside of the organization.
• Supports and provides monitoring of positive outcome measures as defined by the license regulations and agency quality assurance processes. Ensures program compliance through the timely and accurate reporting of data both internally and externally as needed. 
• Documents all required encounters. Completes contacts, progress notes, and nursing assessments within required timeframes.
• Consults with the Nurse Supervisor, Program Director and Clinical Department Director regarding medical and mental health needs regarding risk management.
• Works in coordination with the agency Administrative Support Staff for proficient service delivery.
• Occasional On-Call duties may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Gilead employees are held to standards and regulations set by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and other regulatory bodies. These standards are outlined in Gilead’s “Standards of Conduct” policy. It’s important that these standards and regulations are met through all duties performed, outcomes achieved, and conditions kept within the organization.