Registered Nurse

At Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC), our staff is dedicated to addressing the impact of childhood traumatic events and other challenges.  The Nurse   serves the health care needs of children ages 5-13 presenting with crisis and behavioral health issues in a trauma-informed manner.

Summary of Essential Functions:

Nursing Assessment, Medication Management, and Health Services

- Meet with children and their parents/caregivers during the intake process to obtain, review, and document pertinent medical information, including current medications, known allergies, medical and psychiatric history, prior hospitalizations, and other relevant health-related concerns.

- Administer and dispense prescribed medications, including controlled substances and legend drugs, as authorized and in accordance with applicable regulations, physician orders, and CCTC policies and procedures. Ensure that all medication administration is accurately documented in the medication administration record or designated medication log on the day of administration.

- Coordinate and obtain prior authorizations for prescribed medications, as necessary, to support timely access to treatment and continuity of care.

- Provide first aid and appropriate nursing interventions to children receiving services within the Acute Partial Hospitalization Program, as needed, and in accordance with established nursing protocols and CCTC policies.

- Enter and maintain accurate documentation of medical screenings, assessments, laboratory results, and other pertinent health information in the child's Electronic Clinical Record (ECR) within one week of receipt, or sooner when clinically indicated.

- Identify, assess, document, and communicate potential health and safety risks, including but not limited to elopement, allergies, medical conditions, and sexually inappropriate behaviors. Ensure that identified risks are appropriately documented in the child's ECR and communicated to relevant treatment team members to support coordinated care and safety planning.

- Promptly communicate with parents/caregivers, the Program Director, and appropriate treatment team members following incidents involving injury, illness, or allegations of abuse when the child has been assessed or examined by the nurse, in accordance with applicable reporting requirements and CCTC policies.

- Complete and submit all required incident reports related to injuries, medical concerns, or allegations of abuse involving children assessed or examined by the nurse. Ensure that reports are accurate, timely, and submitted to the Program Director in accordance with CCTC procedures and mandated reporting requirements.

- Maintain accurate, complete, and timely daily nursing and health care records for all applicable children receiving services within the program.

- Coordinate the acquisition, review, maintenance, and appropriate dissemination of required medical records, health documentation, and reports to support treatment planning, regulatory compliance, and continuity of care.

- Provide health education, guidance, and consultation to children, parents/caregivers, and program staff regarding medications, medical conditions, preventive health practices, and other pertinent health-related matters through individual consultation, in-service training, and written communication, as appropriate.

Psychiatric Appointment Scheduling and Coordination

- Assume primary responsibility for coordinating and maintaining the psychiatrists' appointment schedules for all children authorized to receive psychiatric services within the Acute Partial Hospitalization Program. This includes scheduling, canceling, and rescheduling psychiatric appointments, as necessary, to ensure timely access to psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and ongoing psychiatric care.

- Maintain ongoing communication with the psychiatrists, Program Director, treatment team members, and parents/caregivers regarding scheduled appointments, changes in appointment times, cancellations, and rescheduling needs. Ensure that all relevant parties receive timely notification of appointment arrangements and modifications.

- Ensure that each child is brought to the designated location and is available to meet with the psychiatrist at the scheduled appointment time. Coordinate with program staff to facilitate timely transitions from program activities to psychiatric appointments and minimize disruptions to the child's treatment schedule.

- Coordinate and confirm parent/caregiver participation in psychiatric appointments, ensuring that parents/caregivers are either physically present or available to participate through an approved telehealth platform, as appropriate. Ensure that telehealth links and necessary appointment instructions are provided to parents/caregivers sufficiently in advance of the scheduled appointment.

- Monitor psychiatric appointment attendance and participation, promptly address scheduling barriers, and follow up with parents/caregivers and treatment team members regarding missed or canceled appointments to facilitate timely rescheduling and continuity of psychiatric care.

- Collaborate with the psychiatrists and interdisciplinary treatment team to facilitate communication regarding medication changes, treatment recommendations, follow-up appointments, and other relevant psychiatric care needs, ensuring appropriate documentation and coordination with parents/caregivers.

Crisis Intervention, Team Collaboration, and Organizational Support

- Provide nursing support and assistance to Acute Partial Hospitalization Program staff during behavioral or psychiatric crises, consistent with CCTC's Staff Effectiveness and Safety Techniques (SEST) procedures, approved crisis intervention protocols, and established safety practices.

- Participate in weekly clinical team meetings with the Clinical Supervisor, psychiatrists, clinicians, and other designated treatment team members to review children's clinical progress, medical and psychiatric needs, safety concerns, and treatment recommendations.

- Attend and actively participate in weekly program team meetings and interagency meetings, as appropriate, to promote effective communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and coordinated service delivery.

- Attend biweekly nursing meetings with the Center Based Division Director, Medical Director, Psychiatric Nurse Manager, and Director of Clinical Services to discuss nursing operations, clinical concerns, regulatory requirements, and opportunities for improved service delivery.

- Provide nursing coverage and support to other CCTC programs and nursing staff, as necessary and appropriate, based on organizational needs, staffing availability, and program priorities. Such coverage shall be coordinated with the appropriate supervisors and remain consistent with the nurse's professional licensure, scope of practice, competencies, and applicable organizational policies.

- Collaborate with nursing colleagues and program leadership to support continuity of nursing services across CCTC programs, including providing assistance during planned absences, unexpected staffing shortages, or other circumstances requiring temporary nursing coverage.

Administrative Responsibilities, Training, and Regulatory Compliance

- Conduct monthly inventories of nursing and medical supplies, including the contents and readiness of all designated first aid kits. Submit supply requisitions in a timely manner to ensure adequate availability of required materials and equipment.

- Attend and participate in required in-service training, professional development activities, and other educational opportunities, as assigned and in accordance with applicable state regulations, Community Behavioral Health (CBH) requirements, and CCTC policies.

- Share relevant knowledge and information obtained through professional development and training activities with Acute Partial Hospitalization Program staff during team meetings or other designated forums, as appropriate, to support continuous learning and improvement in clinical practices.

- Maintain compliance with applicable nursing standards, confidentiality requirements, documentation expectations, medication management procedures, and organizational policies to promote safe, ethical, and effective nursing care.

Sanctuary Model and Trauma-Informed Practice

- Consistently demonstrate and integrate the principles, values, and practices of the Sanctuary Model into all interactions with children, families, colleagues, and other stakeholders, promoting a trauma-informed, safe, respectful, and supportive treatment environment.

- Actively support and reinforce the implementation of the Sanctuary Model within the Acute Partial Hospitalization Program by modeling trauma-informed practices, encouraging the use of Sanctuary tools and principles, and collaborating with program leadership and staff to sustain a culture of safety, emotional intelligence, social responsibility, shared governance, social learning, and growth and change.

- Perform other related nursing and program responsibilities as assigned by the appropriate supervisor, consistent with professional qualifications, scope of practice, and organizational needs.

Qualifications

A certified registered nurse licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  License to dispense prescribed controlled and legend drugs and other controlled substances required. Must have knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of Nursing care and a minimum of one year’s experience in child or adolescent addictions or mental health nursing, or in an acute care or community health care setting.  At least one year’s experience in child behavioral health settings.

Technical/Computer Skills :

- Proficient in MS Office Suite

- Proficient in handling office equipment (faxes, copiers, scanners)

- Working knowledge of ECR systems