Intake Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Sacramento) - NOC shift

POSITION TITLE: Assessment & Referrals (A&R) Registered Nurse

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Director of Assessments & Referrals (A&R)

SCHEDULE: Sunday - Tuesday 7:00 pm - 7:00 am

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

To assess the needs of prospective patients and phone callers through direct, face-to-face interactions and telephone communication, ensuring that each referral to the appropriate service or resource is tailored to the individual's specific needs. This is a patient-facing position that requires in-person engagement as a core component of the role.

Requirements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review packet referral for medical necessity following EMTALA guidelines.
• Coordinate transfer of accepted patient.  
• Verify insurance, obtain pre-authorizations with the managed care organizations in a timely manner.
• Register the patient in the AIS system.
• Perform a face-to-face admission assessment through a systematic process of interaction with patients, the patient's significant others, and the appropriate health care providers, collects and analyzes data regarding the patient's physical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational, spiritual, cultural and anticipated discharge needs; determines patient's alcohol or drug toxicity; identifies signs of withdrawal; conducts screenings or assessments to determine needs of treatment. This is to include Safe-T Protocols with CSSRs and DASA.
• Perform a SMART clearance to determine whether or not an emergent medical condition exists.
• Perform total body skin examination.   
• Prepares written report of assessment results in a timely manner (immediately following completed assessment) and includes recommendations for the level of care and treatment needs.
• Communicate with medical providers / obtain orders.
• Performs medical clearance of DSH patients.
• Provides Nurse to Nurse clinical information as well as to physician and program staff who will be reviewing the patient to ensure a smooth transition for the patient.
• Assign patient caseload to medical providers.
• Answer phone inquiries from persons seeking mental health care or information about mental health-related services.
• Enters the data of calls and assessments in the computer system in a timely manner.
• Assists patients who are not admitted into a program with follow-through of clinical referrals and recommendations.
• Performs related duties, as requested.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Current Registered Nurse, licensed in the State of California
• Inpatient experience preferred
• Familiarity with continuum of care and clinical terminology
• Knowledge of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnostic criteria

• Current CPR certificate or obtained during initial orientation period.
• Handle with Care (HWC) certificate or obtained during initial orientation period.

Skills and Abilities:

• Interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage patients in face-to-face interactions
• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
• Knowledgeable of patient rights and laws pertaining to mental health
• Assessment and intervention skills
• Persuasive manner and skills in overcoming denial and resistance to treatment
• Ability to concentrate on task in high traffic areas
• Ability to deal with crisis and potentially combative patients while maintaining personal and emotional equilibrium.
• Sensitivity to, and willingness to, interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively as well as possessing the skills to lead, influence, and motivate others
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed s