Methadone Nurse Advice

[Raquelrdc]

Can any methadone nurses help me, I got offered a position as a methadone nurse, but I am just worried about my licence I am a brand new nurse and I just was wondering how do the nurses protect there self at an out patient methadone clinic when we don't do vitals or physically assess them? It it documented that they are alert, and oriented before we gave them the medication? I'm trying to decide if its safe to change directions ... I work in OBGYN and I just feel so uncomfortable there and so rushed at times, the mood swings coworker wise is insane, I just want to be saved some days but I don't want to trade in bad for worst unknowingly

[Davey Do]

Congratulations on your position offer, Raquel!

I supervised a methadone clinic for a year nearly 20 years ago, so let's see what I remember: The clients were screened and assessed by the MD medical director. Any medical problems were addressed, and the Doc prescribed the methadone to be dosed.

An LPN actually ran the clinic, as I supervised the medical services of the entire mental health clinic. The LPN communicated with me and the MD about any problems or areas of concern with the clients.

I don't recall any problems that were ever life threatening. We had a few clients' urines come back dirty with controlled substances other than methadone and the Doc put them on a come-down dose before discharging them from the program. Then we had a pregnant client who experienced morning sickness, but we dealt with that.

I guess it would behoove you to direct your questions and concerns toward those who know.

Oh- one other thing- before I interviewed for this position, I checked out a book from the library on methadone and read some of it, so during my interview, I could act like I knew something about methadone. These were the days before I had internet services or even a computer.

Imagine! Life without a computer! Barbaric!