Bilingual Registered Nurse

Position Summary:

CHRIS 180 Migrant Wellness Program provides 24-hour care for unaccompanied children (UC) under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) who are placed in residential care as they prepare for sponsorship. The program provides stabilization, behavioral support, comprehensive case management, educational services, daily living skills acquisition, recreational and therapeutic activities, and coordination of care. The Migrant Wellness Program provides a family-involved, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach to care within residential communities throughout the Atlanta area.

This service requires face-to-face contact with the consumer, family, or caregiver to monitor, evaluate, assess, and/or carry out a physician’s orders regarding the psychological and/or physical problems and general wellness of the consumer. Assists in the completion of nursing assessment (in consultation with significant other(s), family members, and caseworker) on all youth placed at CHRIS 180 and youth in clinical programs (including physical health, mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring assessments.

Role and Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Assess response to current medications and refer to a psychiatrist or primary care physician as necessary.
• Assists in conducting ongoing health training groups for residents and staff (including, but not limited to hygiene, growth and development, pregnancy / STD prevention, substance abuse education/prevention, and medication management/education)
• Monitoring and ordering an adequate supply of first aid materials and over-the-counter medications for group homes.
• Visits monthly to therapeutic group homes, Independent Living, and Rainbow Program apartments to review documentation compliance of direct care staff related to medication administration, and to identify any problem areas that exist.
• Makes recommendations to the Nurse Educator / Chief Psychiatrist and staff regarding any significant medical/clinical concerns.
• Provide onsite services such as assessing vital signs, accuchecks, and injections, as needed.
• Evaluate and assess those clients with possible medication side effects or untoward reactions as needed.
• Assists in calibrating and maintaining medical equipment and reviews equipment needs.
• Assists in maintaining an accurate record of active medications on each youth under our care using an online database and Microsoft Excel Assists in reviewing administration of medications by direct care staff.
• Assists in reviewing education of youth caregivers and/or significant others, related to medication actions and side effects.
• Assists in providing training for self-administration of medications for outpatients as needed.
• Assists in coordinating process by which each youth and direct care staff sign medication information sheet (describing actions and side effects) for each medication prescribed, and placed in chart.
• Assists in obtaining and tracking all drug screens (urine and saliva) performed, and records results in Microsoft Excel Creates appropriate documentation regarding verbal/written orders as necessary, per the medical staff members.
• Completes patient records in an accurate, legible, and timely fashion. Assists in tracking and assessing the quality of services from contract vendors, as needed.
• Participates in weekly Treatment Team Meetings at group homes, as needed.
• Provides paperwork to the Accounting Manager promptly, to ensure proper billing.
• Schedules clients to see consulting physicians as necessary, with appropriate notification of staff.
• Acts as secondary contact for contract pharmacy (Peach Care) to arrange medication pick-up, assess medication needs for new placements, referral to corporate patient assistance programs, etc.)
• Acts as secondary contact for contract lab(s) and directs clients to the nearest lab, follows up on lab results and relates that information to the appropriate physician.
• Assists in precepting all new medical employees.
• Provides education about medical clearance, medication procedures, transcribing medical orders, nursing assessment, psychotropic medications commonly used, equipment, electronic records, etc.
• Maintains availability by cell phone 24 hrs./day, seven days a week for consultation regarding health issues of the residents.
• Recognizes and reports suspected abuse and neglect according to policy, procedure, and law. Complies with policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications/Competencies:

• Must be bilingual in English and Spanish RN with active Georgia License.
• Specific mental health/substance abuse experience for two (2) years is preferable
• Knowledge and skills specific to the age of patients under care Basic computer skills (MSWord, Excel, Outlook)
• Excellent organizational skills Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Ability to develop a good rapport with patients.
• Nurturing and non-judgmental attitude
•  Ability to set and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Practical written and oral communication skills with a variety of audiences
• Ability to develop and participate in collaborative processes.
• Ethical behavior and practice Continual assessment of personal performance and practice for professional development.
• Willingness to change behavior and seek assistance, if applicable, to model professionalism.
• Ability to serve as a credible resource and advocate for CHRIS 180.
• Effective time management Dependability and flexibility Competent, professional judgment when dealing with patients, the public, and other professionals.
• Ability to always maintain the patient’s best interests.
• Maintenance of professional standards and upholding the legal and accepted codes that pertain to professional conduct.
• Knowledge of Mental health and Addictive Disease Co-occurring Disorders
• Understanding of Health, nutrition, and wellness. Psychotropic medications – actions, side effects, etc.

Schedule: On-Site

The hours will vary from week to week with a maximum of 40 hours a week at any given time unless written permission is given otherwise. The schedule will include weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits we offer:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flex Spending Account Health Savings Account
• 403 (b) plan
• Paid Time Off

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

This position is grant-funded and on-site.