Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) - Mental Health (Clinic Based)

The McClendon Center, founded in 1980, is a certified community based service provider operating under the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health.  As a leading not-for-profit organization in Washington, DC, the McClendon Center provides outpatient behavioral rehabilitation to adults living with mental illness by fostering creativity, promoting friendship, instilling independence, and providing an outlet for emotional growth and greater participation in the community. Accredited by the Joint Commission, the McClendon Center operates multiple programs including a Day Program Services and the Core Services Agency (CSA).

The Registered Nurse works collaboratively with physicians, staff, and other healthcare professionals to provide care coordination across the healthcare continuum for all consumers. This role works in our medication clinic at our CSA and supervises a medical assistant and office coordinator.  As an integral member of the team, the Registered Nurse works to ensure that safety, best practices, and high-quality standards of care are maintained across the continuum. The Registered Nurse is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating and documenting all aspects of consumer care within a Core Services Agency environment. This includes completing the client’s physical health assessments at intake and ongoing, developing treatment plans for clients, and supporting their autonomy and recovery.  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead activities related to clinical nursing services ensuring patient needs are met in accordance with professional standards of medical and nursing care as mandated federally and by the District of Columbia.
• Participate in treatment team meetings providing input or recommendations on clients’ medical and psychiatric conditions.
• Engage in clinical nursing investigations related to improving the delivery of services or lapses in the coordination of care.
• Provide on-going guidance and direction to agency staff in emergency medical or clinical situations.
• Recruit, hire, and train staff in the Nursing department, overseeing the orientation of new staff to their respective positions and supervises and evaluates the performance of the staff in the department.
• Administratively and clinically supervise a Certified Medical Assistant, and a front desk staff member.
• Ensure that the system for documenting nursing services provided to individuals served is in compliance with regulations and standards
• Serve as the Center’s Infection Control Monitor.
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with other senior management, outside agencies, and the medical and mental health community.
• Participates in client home visits in the community, as necessary.
• May perform other duties as directed.

SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

•    Ability to coordinate with a multi-disciplinary team within an outpatient mental health agency.
•    Knowledge of sound ethical clinical practice and principles related to the care of mental health consumers. 
•    A superior communicator, who shares information readily and concisely, listens as well as gives advice and respects the abilities of others. 
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
•    Excellent computer skills, to include operating Microsoft Office Suite programs. 
•    Knowledge and ability to navigate an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), including data entry.
•    Ability to relate to adults diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness, using knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories related to mental health and mental illness.
•    Ability to perform amicably in an environment serving the seriously and persistently mentally ill adult population.
•    Ability to respect and uphold client confidentiality.
•    Ability to exhibit a high level of organizational skills and ability to prioritize and multi-task without direct supervision.

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse (R.N.) in the District of Columbia.
• Must have a current CPR Certification.
• One year of experience in psychiatric nursing with chronic disease management preferred, but not required.
• Health promotion and prevention experience preferred, but not required.

• Competitive base salary of $85,000 - $95,000, paid Medical, Dental, Short & Long Term Disability & Life Insurance.
• Employer Contributions Towards 403(b)
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave
• AFLAC Supplemental Benefits
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Company Paid Holidays
• Extensive field training
• Opportunity for supervision

Physical Demands: The position requires moderate physical effort on a daily basis such as walking, bending, stooping and standing for periods of time.

McClendon Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, marital status, religion, or disability.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.