LPN/RN Acute, (AM) Crisis Center

Overview

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The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is strategically placed in Mobile County with easy access for the area with the highest need and the most frequent use, the midtown/downtown area of Mobile. This Crisis Center operates a 24/7/365 with a full complement of staff to provide crisis de-escalation and resolution no matter the time or the day.

 

A study of mental health related law enforcement calls shows that, as one of Alabama’s largest cities, Mobile has the highest demand for police and EMS within the I-65/I-165 corridor. Stationing the Diversion Center in this area will allow expeditious access from Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, and Escambia Counties, which will also utilize the Diversion Center. Mobile Metro Jail is the second largest jail in Alabama. The annual number of individuals booked into the jail is just under 20,000. Since the Stepping Up Initiative began last year, all inmates are screened for mental illness and substance use disorders. Last year 6,828 individuals screened positive for serious mental illness. This is a serious over-representation of mentally ill individuals per capita when compared to statistics for the general population. Most individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders are arrested for petty crimes. These individuals could be diverted from arrest with the addition of more Mobile Crisis response and a Behavioral Health Crisis Center. Based on data collected from Crisis Response Team calls, Access to Care, law enforcement, local emergency departments, and a Community Health Needs Assessments, the size and structure of the Crisis Center must consist of a large living room model staffed by peer specialists, an 18 recliner temporary observation unit, and a 6 bed extended observation unit.

Responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities:

• Completes timely admissions according to diversion center policy and procedure while ensuring customer service as a priority for staff and consumers in relations to admissions flow, referral source contact, consumer care and support.
• Ensures needs are met for the consumer, the referral source, the physicians, and the facility.
• Evaluates needs and reports pertinent information gathered from admission to physician, nurses, and social workers as needed.
• Completes the discharge process for consumers according to policy and procedure for nurses on units.
• Plans, conducts and documents patient education provided to consumers, both individually and in group settings.
• Provides education to the consumer and family concerning treatment plans, compliance with medications and its side effects, disease management and other applicable topics.
• Completes medical and dietary consultations as needed.
• Communicates effectively with the physician and outside agencies as applicable regarding the consumer’s physical and mental condition
• Initiates and implements the multidisciplinary treatment plan, coordinates with the multidisciplinary team and participates in the plan’s continued development.
• Provides emergency care as needed (CPR, Mindset, PRN medications), according to AltaPointe policies and procedures.
• Assists consumers with personal care issues (bathing, toileting and other personal hygiene routines).
• Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit based on facility needs and as directed by the Nurse Manager.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation.
• Assists with seclusions and restraints per AltaPointe policy and procedure.
• Actively assists with hospital cost containment by accepting responsibility for time management and use of unit supplies.
• Effectively demonstrates the application of adult and child competencies.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics.
• Serves as Charge Nurse as needed, overseeing routine task assignments of RNs, LPNs, Mental Health Technicians, MA’s and behavioral staff.

 

Supervision and consultation:

• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation needed.
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement.
• Actively works to enhance clinical skills.

 

Clinical record keeping:

• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy.
• Documents in a clear, concise manner types of consumer problems, treatment goals and services provided.
• Documentation shows that forms, notes, logs, and other applicable written information are completed promptly, accurately and updated when appropriate.
• Documents legibly.

 

Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:

• Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion.
• Respects c