Nurse Assistance

Responsibilities

• Completes client admission process including assessment of client’s physical and psychological status during intoxication, withdrawal and stabilization.
• Monitors and documents client progress and makes required referrals to physician or emergency services including crisis intervention.
• Develops individual client treatment plans and provides input regarding clients’ needs, performance and progress, and provides client health education.
• Provides nursing care including vital signs, noting response to medication, first-aid, specimen collection for labwork, and infection control/assessment.
• Completes and maintains all documentation such as medication records/reports, progress notes, client files, charting logbooks, chart audits, and inventories of medical supplies.
• Receives and transcribes doctor orders. 

Education & Training

• High School Diploma required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Dual Diagnosis background preferred.
• Drug & Alcohol counseling certification from an accredited institution preferred
• Two years’ experience working in a substance abuse environment preferred 
• Ability to work effectively with people and aid them in adjusting to their specific problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, family members, and other members of staff.
• Knowledge and experiences in running groups, meetings and/or activities.
• Ability to read and interpret written information; write clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar. 
• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; and participates in meetings.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Understanding of diagnostic criteria for dual conditions and the ability to conceptualize modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of diverse cultures and gender-specific issues and the ability to incorporate the needs of gender and culturally diverse groups into the practice setting.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize workload and work independently.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Expressive or training in Therapies preferred.
• CPR/First Aid Certification is required for this position. If not CPR/First Aid certified at the time of hire, certification must be obtained within the state-mandated time frame after the first day of employment.

Special Requirements & Skills

• Knowledge of addiction and mental health.
• Ability to work in a supportive, caring and non-judgmental manner with staff and patients in order to gain confidence cooperation.
• Ability to function calmly in crisis situations.
• Ability to plan and organize work and adequately to express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all staff, patients, outside agencies, families and general public.

Work Environment & Hazards

• Risk of exposure to communicable disease. 
• Possible exposure to intoxicated, disruptive and agitated patients.
• Protected from weather conditions. 

Physical Demands

Light/Sedentary work – lifting 20 lbs maximum and occasional lifting and/or carrying articles such as dockets, ledgers and small tools. Involves sitting and a certain amount of walking and standing occasionally to carry out job functions. Communication is required.