Nurse | Adult Programs – Gandara Mental Health Center, Inc. – Springfield, MA

Duties and Responsibilities

• Works within processes and procedures of referral source
• Coordinates exchange of information among Persons, staff, and extra-agency, medical/nursing providers
• Consults with staff regarding Person special physical care needs
• Liaisons with other service-providing agencies
• Interacts with Persons in order to assess needs, provide information, discuss problems, and encourage growth and development
• Provides informal counseling in areas of health and psycho-physiological well-being
• Monitors Person progress in areas of health and psycho-physiological well-being
• Accompany Persons to medical reviews as needed
• Notifies supervisory staff immediately in the event of a Person crisis, suspected illegal activity, or any behavior constituting an incident in the program
• Informs Persons regarding medication function, effects, and side effects
• Monitors drug blood level and side effects of medications
• Insures yearly physical assessments are performed to maintain accurate baseline data
• Assesses Persons with specific physical complaints
• Makes appropriate medical interventions, e.g. arranges appointments with prescribing physicians of medication review
• Coordinates communication among health care providers serving each Person

Administrative

• Maintains Persons’ medical and medication records
• Maintains Persons’ records in accordance with standard format and timetables to include physical assessment and progress reports and other specialized documentation which is required
• Attends Individual Service Plan meetings as needed
• Conducts medical/clinical projects as identified by the Program Director or Psychiatrist
• Engages in clinical supervision with Psychiatrist; administrative supervision with Program Director

Environmental/Collateral

• Works within processes and procedures of referral source
• Coordinates exchange of information among Persons, staff, and extra-agency, medical/nursing providers
• Consults with staff regarding Person special physical care needs
• Liaisons with other service-providing agencies
• Interacts with Persons in order to assess needs, provide information, discuss problems, and encourage growth and development
• Provides informal counseling in areas of health and psycho-physiological well-being
• Monitors Persons’ progress in areas of health and psycho-physiological well-being
• Accompany Persons to medical reviews as needed
• Notifies supervisory staff immediately in the event of a Person crisis, suspected illegal activity, or any behavior constituting an incident in the program

Professional Growth/ Development

• Seeks and uses training opportunities external to the Agency.
• Attends Agency-required training.
• Participates in relevant Agency and/or community task forces.
• Engages in self-evaluation to develop professional goals.

Skills Required

• Knowledge of Persons’ behavioral dynamics.
• Knowledge related to the treatment of the Person population.
• Knowledge of psychotropic medication.
• Knowledge of medication side effects.
• Ability to train staff and Persons regarding medication and medical topics pertinent to the Person population.
• Physical and mental demands are located at end of the job description.

Minimum Qualifications

• Certification as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts
• Two years’ experience working with a psychiatric population
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) encouraged to apply
• Driver’s license required
• Bilingual (English & Spanish), Bicultural, encouraged to apply.

Working conditions

The Nurse has an office at the program administrative office and is expected to go to Persons’ residences as necessary.

Benefits

• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days a year

The Gandara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Gándara Center provides residential, mental health, substance abuse, and preventive services for children, adults, and families across the Pioneer Valley and eastern parts of Massachusetts. Founded in the Hispanic community, we value cultural diversity and strive to provide culturally competent, innovative services to a diverse community.

• Sign-On Hiring Bonus is awarded at the end of the 1st and 6th months of employment

if the employee is in good performance standing. Hiring and Stay-on Incentives are subject

to review/change at the agency’s discretion. This program runs through April 20, 2022.

Must be a new employee employed on a Full-Time basis.