Intake Registered Nurse PRN (only Thursdays)

The Intake Clinician responds to inquiry calls, conducts initial intake assessments, provide referrals, and coordinate admissions process according to Joint Commission, Federal and State Regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and Performance Improvement Standards.

Essential Functions:

1. Responds to inquiry calls, completes inquiry forms accurately, schedules assessments in a timely manner and documents follow up calls made regarding pending assessments.
2. Conducts assessments at facility or other locations, completes Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Assessments Initial Triage thoroughly.
3. Refers patients who are not appropriate for facility programs to appropriate resources.
4. Coordinates pre-certification process, admissions process for patients admitted to facility programs, including admission forms, CIAs, and documents pertinent UR information.
5. Delivers patient services in a respectful manner which promotes dignity and patient satisfaction.
6. Identifies safety needs including ability to detect possible signs of abuse and neglect and report same to clinical staff.
7. Identifies special mobility and equipment needs of patients
8. Assess and interprets age and disability needs to assess level of care needed and made appropriate referrals based on same.
9. Communicates with patients and families in manner sensitive to their age, disability and cultural needs and involves families of minors or significant others in decision making related to treatment as appropriate.
10. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Educational / Experience Requirements:

Active Registered Nurse license in the state where practicing.  Minimum of one year experience in Mental Health/Chemical Dependency field working with an Age/Disability Specific population served by this facility preferred.

Qualifications / Skills:

• Admission criteria for varying levels of care, medications commonly prescribed for treatment of psychiatric illness and community resources. 
• Must possess interpersonal skills to develop rapport with presenting patient, family members and referral sources. 
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assess for care appropriate to any age-related/disability-related needs of the patient served. 
• Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to the patient population served.  Must be able to assess and interpret data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's needs and provide appropriate referrals, including age related care and disability related care by Chronically Mentally Ill, Adult, Geriatric and Chemically Dependent patient populations. 
• Must demonstrate knowledge of mental illness and chemical dependency and family dynamics which accompany them. 
• Must have basic knowledge of Chronic Mental Illness. 
• Must have knowledge of clinical therapy modalities. 
• Must have excellent communication and skills as related to age specific patient needs. 
• Must be able to demonstrate assessment skills. 
• Must be able to pass the general age/disability post test. 
• Must be versatile, flexible and able to perform in stressful situations. 
• Must have good time management and organizational skills. 
• Must be able to work with an array of mentally/physically disabled persons.    
• Must be able to read, to write and to follow verbal and written instruction. 
• Must be knowledgeable concerning DSM-IV-R diagnosis. 
• Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Work Environment:

Subject to many interruptions.  Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.  This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere.  This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior.  Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.