Registered Nurse
Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT)

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Registered Nurse position.

An Overview
This is a Registered Nurse position with the Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT); which follows the SAMHSA service delivery model for treatment of adults with persistent mental illness. The PACT team is highly collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community based. The vast majority of service provision takes place in the community. This position provides specialized nursing services which include nursing assessments, administering and monitoring of medication, care coordination and crisis intervention to clients with serious mental illness and/ or co-occurring disorders. This position is responsible for clients who may also have acute or chronic medical disorders, or be at risk for infection diseases such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, TB and STDs. Clients served by the nurse may require frequent monitoring of medication intake and bio-psychosocial functioning. This position may also serve as a liaison between clients and other community providers and assist in coordinating services as well as providing case management.

What You Should Bring
The idea candidate should have good knowledge of nursing and clinic policies and procedures; good knowledge of approved medical terminology and abbreviations; good knowledge of the function, use, maintenance, and safety precautions of all equipment used; ability to clinically evaluate patients/clients before medicating; ability to monitor clients on a variety of medications; ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to provide nursing services to difficult and complex patient and client cases; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships between staff, hospital employees, administration, physicians, visitors and patients; ability to chart accurately, legibly, and completely all entries on medical records/controlled substance inventories.

The Opportunity

• Working in a highly collaborative supportive community based environment;
• Coordinates care for clients needing treatment for chronic medical/psychological problems;
• Assesses clients for current health status;
• Refers clients with medical needs to an appropriate resource for care;
• Performs treatment procedures for clients when feasible;
• Develops and conducts approved health care training such as, but not limited to medication administration and annual medication refresher training;
• Meets with staff to review client cases for medical implications when requesting treatment and/or aftercare;
• Attends daily PACT meetings to discuss client cases;
• Transports clients to medical and/or psychiatric appointments as needed;
• Works in cooperation with medical supervisor overseeing client care;
• Extends follow up or assistance to clients having difficulty obtaining needed health care;
• Develops appropriate health care discharge plans for patients;
• Prepares medication and mental health reports and other administrative documents as required;
• Familiarizes and remains updated with the regulations of the Virginia Nursing Board, The Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services licensing;
• Delivers, coordinates and monitors consumer medication;
• Administers long-acting neuroleptic medications by injection while ensuring that medication orders are current, evaluating side effects, observing for signs of over/under medication, and documenting receipt of medications;
• Provides health education to clients, both individual or in groups, to enhance the health literacy, compliance and lifestyle changes;
• Provides both individual and group counseling to clients and works with families to assist them in understanding and accepting the client's illness;
• Oversees operation of the medication room;
• Ensures that practices used in dispensing medication and disposing of hazardous waste are in accordance with OSHA safety standards;
• Evaluates clients at risk and refers to emergency services for pre-screens for hospitalization, detention or commitment and assists in discharge planning for their return to the community;
• Coordinates with PACT clinicians to seek community resources for housing, health care, financial and legal assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment services, transportation assistance and entitlement programs;
• Provides intensive outreach, engagement and case management services;
• Other related duties as assigned.

About the Department
The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of Nursing; eligibility for, or current licensure with the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Registered Nurse, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Valid driver's license; Basic computer skills and two years of experience in behavioral health environment; Bilingual and Fluent in both English and Spanish.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; Drug Testing; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver's license.

Schedule:
40 Hours a week. Some evenings, weekends/holidays on rotation.