PRN Staff Nurse

Can you provide unconditional kindness to individuals in recovery? Hope House Treatment Centers is looking for PRN nurses for evening overnight positions. Addictions experience not required, but is a big plus.

Shift differentials for overnight and weekend hours

JOB SUMMARY: Registered
Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses apply nursing principles and processes within a biopsychosocial
conceptual framework for identification, assessment and treatment of addicted
persons at all levels of care, including Detoxification, Intermediate and
Extended care. Nurses are responsible
for carrying out physical and mental health services protocols for patients
following the policies and procedures of Hope House. Staff nurses serve as members of the
multidisciplinary treatment team.

STAFF NURSE
JOB DUTIES:

• Collects initial health data through
observation, interview, history, and taking physical examination as appropriate
and review of screening notes and information from other agencies if
available. Updates initial data base as
new information presents itself. This
includes but may not be limited to:

o Alcohol and Drug History, including progression and tolerance

o Signs of acute intoxication or withdrawal from mood altering substances

o Behaviors and/or consequences associated with untreated chemical
dependency

o Acute and chronic health needs including physical, emotional and social.

o Mental status

o HIV risk

• Analyzes collected data and completed
initial and ongoing assessments. Incorporates knowledge of the biological,
psychological and social effects of drugs and/or alcohol for all issues
assessed. Assessment reflects logical grouping of information and states the
human response to physical illness, thought and emotional processes including
psychiatric disorders and stressors or daily living and coping.

• Uses independent nursing judgment to
develop nursing diagnoses, both actual and potential. Validates and prioritizes
them with client (actual and potential). Determines which are deferred until
after discharge or require referral. Notes them on Nursing Data Base and Master
Problem List. Supports rationale for deferring and referring in a progress
note.

• Plans interventions to address
identified problems. Develops written care plans that are prioritized according
to need, have time frames, measurable and reachable goals. Uses language the
patient can understand as he/she uses them as a daily guide.

• Considers agency and community resources
available to patients in planning care as well as discharge referrals*

• Develops additional care plans and
implements them as the patient condition changes.

• Coordinates care with other team members as appropriate.

• Implements safe, effective, efficient nursing care. Care may be delegated to other members of the
treatment team and must be consistent with the nursing scope of practice.
Interventions include but may not be limited to:

• Medication administration
• Health teaching, both 1:1
  and didactic
• Laboratory procedures
• Assisting patients to
  develop effective problem solving and coping skills that do not include
  the use of mood altering drugs.
• Assisting patients to break
  through unhealthy defenses by accurately reflecting behaviors and
  consequences of alcoholism and addiction.*
• Promoting involvement in 12
  Step programs.
• Referrals for care
• Coordinating services in house and with community agencies
• Directs and instructs
  unlicensed personnel in the carrying out of patient care duties.
• Respects patients' rights

• Evaluates response to plan of care.
Minimum of weekly review required. Documents responses/outcomes. Revises care
plans and discharge recommendations as needed. Uses direct observation, patient
interaction, Kardex and clinical record as data base.

o Communicates in a timely manner and effectively through:

o written documentation in clinical record;

o orally with treatment team members

o Communicates changes in health status to the physician and PA as
appropriate.

o discharge summaries

o Maintains client confidentiality.

• Assists in screening patients in
determining appropriateness for treatment as requested by intake.

• Medication responsibilities:

o Receives, transcribes and carries out physician orders.

o Administers medications following approved protocols

o Documents response to medications

o Counts controlled drugs on each shift

o Practices cost effective ordering

• Effectively uses Emergency/Crisis
responses procedures.

• Carries out appropriate Infection Control Procedures included
adherence to OSHA standards.

• Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement activities as
requested

• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A nursing degree from an accredited school.

• Registration as active LPN/RN licensure within
the state of Maryland

PHYSICAL
DEMANDS: The physical
demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While
performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit;
use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is
occasionally required to stand and walk.

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