Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) – Jail Based Competency Treatment Program

Overview

NaphCare has an exceptional opportunity for a Psychiatric Registered Nurse to serve as the Clinical Program Director of our highly successful Jail Based Competency Treatment (JBCT) and Early Access and Stabilization Services (EASS) programs at the Mendocino County Detention Facility in Ukiah, CA.

 

Opportunities for relocation and/or sign-on bonuses available!

 

NaphCare has long partnered with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office to operate a California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) satellite program for adults found Incompetent to Stand Trial and in need of court-ordered psychiatric and mental health services aimed at restoring their competency to stand trial so that they may proceed with pending criminal charges and move forward in their lives in a healthier place.

 

Together, the JBCT and EASS programs provide this restoration treatment to between 4 and 12 adult male and female patients in the jail. JBCT patients receive these services on a designated therapeutic unit within the facility.

 

The Psychiatric RN will lead the multidisciplinary treatment team onsite under the direct supervision and support of the Forensic Services Administrator who is an expert in competency evaluation and restoration. The Psychiatric RN works alongside their NaphCare clinical team members and deputies assigned to this patient population.

 

The Psychiatric RN will be responsible for providing routine nursing care for this small, specialized caseload of JBCT and EASS patients. Duties include nursing assessments, blood draws, individualized nursing interventions, psychoeducational groups (e.g., about mental health medications, hygiene, sleep), triaging medical and medication needs to providers, chart reviews, and assisting in managing the clinical milieu of the JBCT housing unit (e.g., assisting with crisis intervention and de-escalation; administration of involuntary medications, as needed).

 

Opportunities for reimbursement for continuing education, specialized training, and mentorship are available. Potential opportunities for professional papers and presentations are also available, as desired.

Responsibilities

The Psychiatric RN will be responsible for providing routine nursing care including assessments, medication administration, drawing labs, and nursing interventions for the THRIVE unit.  The RN has a separate, fully equipped nursing room on the THRIVE unit with its own work station in addition to access to the off-unit office. The RN will work with a team of psychiatric providers, mental health clinicians, recreational therapist, discharge planner, and data coordinator led and supported by a program director.

• Serve as a contributing member of the multidisciplinary treatment team
• Assist in developing nursing protocols and procedures for the THRIVE unit
• Responsible for safely administering prescribed medications to patients and accurately documenting each administration in the patient chart in accordance with nursing standards and facility policies.
• Conduct and document initial (or updates to existing) nursing assessments
• Conduct clinical rounds on the THRIVE unit
• Conduct routine nursing care for THRIVE patients (e.g., maintaining weights and vitals; daily triage/sick call; collect specimens, samples, and cultures; minor medical procedures, wound care, patient assessments, examinations and/or treatment, assisted showers, etc.)
• Respond to and initiate care for medical and mental health emergencies on the THRIVE unit
• Initiate, administer, and document prescribed protocol including medication administrations
• Schedule, track, and facilitate medical sick calls to in-facility physicians
• Track laboratory and diagnostic procedure orders and results
• Ability to work and sit in front of a computer approximately 8 hours per day
• Light physical work involving lifting bending and carrying up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Talking and listening to communicate effectively with team members.
• Visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing data/information and viewing a computer
• Ability to work independently in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment
• Ability to efficiently and effectively manage competing demands
• Ability and willingness to work in a jail setting

Qualifications

Position Requirements/Preferred Experience:

 

• Must hold a current, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in California
• Experience training/working in a psychiatric or mental health setting