Assistant Nurse Manager (LPN or RN)

Schedule: Wednesday through Saturday 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Nurse Manager is responsible with the following:

• Trains, leads, and supervises nursing and patient care assistant (PCA) staff under the direction of the Nurse Manager.
• Collaborates with the Nurse Manager on completion of supervisions, performance reviews, IR review, timecards, hiring interviews and other duties as assigned.
• Shares 24/7 staffing call with Nurse Manager
• In collaboration with medical department leadership, supports direction of nursing/PCA service programming and supports interdepartmental coordination of care.
• Collaborates with 3.7 Residential (Wolfpack Program) staff on the care of Wolfpack patients in transitional beds in the withdrawal management unit, ensuring smooth transitions to residential floor.
• Ensures safe, quality care through adherence to medical policies and procedures.
• As needed supports coverage for other Fora levels of care, including 3.7R (Wolfpack) and outpatient injections of long-acting MAT medications (Brixadi, Sublocade, Vivitrol).
• Other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Care Responsibilities

• Follow medical policies and procedures for providing medical care for patients withdrawing from drugs and alcohol as well as for patients requiring medical monitoring in residential care. These duties include but are not limited to: monitoring vital signs, performing lab testing, nursing assessments, transition planning and medication administration
• Triage patient medical concerns appropriately, referring patients with medical needs to LMP.
• Perform initial intakes, which include gathering and documenting medical & social history, patient needs and goals
• Monitor, interpret and organize medical paperwork, records and lab results.
• Interpret lab results and notify LMP for critical values.
• Maintain an accurate medication administration record.
• Perform accurate medication reconciliation from screening to admission to discharge.
• Maintain accurate count and storage of all controlled medications.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Clinical Coordination of Care

• Inform patient of confidentiality rights, program procedures that safeguard them, and the exceptions imposed by regulations. Protect patient rights to privacy and confidentially in the communications of patient information.
• Develop collaborative relationships with all members of the treatment team and any other agency with whom the patient is engaged.
• Explain to the patient, in clear language, the necessity for and process of referral.
• Collaborates and communicates issues/concerns with the treatment team on clinical and non-clinical issues about patient transitions.

• Attends and participates in all treatment team meetings as assigned.
• Attends all supervision meetings as assigned.
• Maintains and strengthens good working relationships with clinical team members and management.
• Communicates and coordinates effectively with staff from other departments.
• Performs related tasks as assigned.

Counseling and Education

• Role model healthy styles of communication and behavior, by using non-violent communication, verbal de-escalation, and demonstrating appropriate physical and emotional boundaries. Maintain professional boundaries with patients.
• Facilitate patients’ engagement in the treatment process; utilizing motivational enhancement techniques and nonviolent communication.
• Provide education and support to patients regarding medical issues related to withdrawal, prescribed medications, and transition services
• Obtains consent for withdrawal management services, including admission, protocols, medications and referral.
• Provides information & education about nursing care of patients with substance use disorders, harm reduction, and trauma informed care to nursing & PCA staff and nursing students. 
• Provides information on harms related to substance use, including transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, TB, STDs, and other infectious diseases.
• Understands and adheres to the principles of trauma-informed care
• Understands basic evidence base behind medications to treat addiction
• Understands and adheres to principles of harm reduction

Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

• Demonstrate ethical behaviors by adhering to established professional codes of ethics that define the professional context within which the counselor works, in order to maintain professional standards and safeguard the patient.
• Adhere to Federal and State laws and agency policies and procedures regarding the treatment of substance use disorders.
• Recognize the importance of individual differences that influence patient behavior and apply this understanding to clinical practice.
• Participate in ongoing supervision and consultation.
• Practices appropriate self-care.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to Fora policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners’ and outside providers’ patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EMR access
• Maintain any licensure held at time of hire. 

SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS

• Provide schedule and staff coverage for withdrawal management program 24/7 within, but not exceeding required staff: patient ratio.
• Be available on call by phone or cell phone for consultation and to answer questions as outlined in the On Call for Consultation procedure.
• Monitor withdrawal management budget and ensure that staffing and supply costs are within budget parameters.
• Maintain expected withdrawal management census.
• Ensure all withdrawal management staff documentation is accurate and timely.
• Document supervisory issues with staff.
• Provide a consistent, comprehensive training program for new staff.
• Ensure staff are timely on required trainings.
• Provide leadership, support and guidance for residential and withdrawal management staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• At least one year of supervisory experience is required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required (or obtained within 90 days of hire).
• Experience working in a healthcare environment is strongly preferred.
• Certified Medical Assistant is a plus.
• Registered Nursing License for State of Oregon is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Provide leadership to the teams in such a way that the work environment supports and encourages values of the agency: honesty, empathy, respect, inclusion, unity.
• Proactively identify barriers to effective medication administration systems and works with residential and medical staff to address them.
• Maintain quality treatment services that are responsive to client needs and reflect best practices.
• Establish a therapeutic environment in which staff works together so that clients' needs, individual circumstances, and culture determine the optimal clinical approach.
• Oversees operational aspects of clinical tasks and roles and provides strategic advice/direction to functionalize the service delivery model.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Communicates information effectively in writing and verbally.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Displays initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate knowledge of substance-use disorders.
• Marked ability to demonstrate and utilize self-awareness.
• Intermediate understanding of motivational interviewing.
• Intermediate understanding of mental health disorders and symptom presentation.
• Intermediate understanding of trauma-informed care.
• Working knowledge of ASAM and DSM 5 Substance Use Disorders.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• For employees with a history of substance use disorder, Fora Health’s policy requires certification of a minimum of two years of sobriety for this position.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass DHS criminal background.
• Position will require some amount of regular connection to work via cell phone to answer questions and respond to internal and external contacts.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position works in an indoor office environment and also periodic travel to other sites.
• Position does not consistently require overtime and is a salary/exempt position and not eligible for overtime compensation. Adjustment of work schedule may be required. 
• The withdrawal management program is operated 24 hours a day, therefore, shift assignments may include days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. 
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases which can encompass a variety of illnesses and infections, including COVID, tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.
• Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized, disabled or emotionally disturbed adults, adolescents, and families.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment provided. 
• Fast paced, high volume work environment.