Psychiatric Nurse (ACT Team)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Are you an experienced Psychiatric Nurse with the passion and desire to be part of a cohesive team which provides community-based services to the Arlington Community? The Department of Human Services is recruiting to fill a unique professional nurse position on the Assertive and Community Treatment (ACT) team. This position will take part in providing crisis intervention, substance use treatment, intensive case management, and individual and group treatment services to adults who have a Serious Mental Illness (SMI). The employee will work under the direction of the team Psychiatrist and Program Manager and in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team that provides services both out in the community and in a clinic setting.

The goal of ACT is to promote independence, rehabilitation, and recovery, with an emphasis on home visits and coordinated, interdisciplinary support to prevent homelessness, unnecessary hospitalization, and other negative outcomes. This role involves working as part of an interdisciplinary team, attending daily team meetings, collaborating with team members and other service providers, and delivering the majority of services independently in clients' homes, shelters, or other community locations. ACT is a highly collaborative, evidence-based model of treatment in which each team member works with all clients assigned to the team.

To learn more about our services, please visit DHS

Specific duties include:

• Oversees medication administration and medical services provided to clients; 
• Provides case management services including the development of treatment goals, education, and rehabilitation plans; 
• Coordinates, schedules, and administers medical assessments of client physical health; 
• Conducts comprehensive assessment of mental health to include history, functioning, and service needs; 
• Coordinates psychiatric treatment with medical treatment provider(s); 
• Refers to community physicians for further assessment and treatment; 
• Performs ongoing assessment of activities of daily living (ADLs) and provides problem solving, skill training and supervision to assist clients with ADLs; 
• Provides side-by-side support and coaching to help socialization; and 
• Organizes and leads individual and group social and recreational activities and opportunities to practice social skills.

The ideal candidate will have strong communications skills and experience with sensitive information both orally and in writing; the ability to assess risk; and experience making decisions regarding critical issues of care.

Minimums:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university; 
• Considerable experience providing nursing care in a psychiatric setting, serving clients with mental health, substance abuse or developmental disabilities; 
• Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse in Virginia or by endorsement from another state to practice professional nursing; and 
• Meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire per https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/docs/QMHP_FAQs.pdf

Substitution: Education may be substituted by additional directly related full-time experience on a year-for-year basis.

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following:

• ACT or similar experience providing community-based services; 
• Master's degree in Nursing; 
• Case management experience with the severely mentally ill population; 
• Experience performing technical nursing procedures, administering treatment medications, and developing solutions to clinical operational concerns; 
• Experience participating on a multi-disciplinary team; and/or 
• Working with clients with dual diagnosis.

Special Requirements: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide, a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's drivin