Working at Substance Abuse Outpatient clinic

[DawnMP3]

I will be new to field of outpatient Substance Abuse Clinic. Can anyone give me any pointers and tell me what to expect. I have never worked with substance abuse only psych nursing.

[HappyRN2019, RN]

Calls the appropriate team member (i.e. Medical Director) with all non-life threatening medical and medication issues to obtain guidance regarding his plan of action for the client. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, all staff members are authorized to contact emergency services by dialing 911.

Identifies client care requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual clients and other persons in a position to understand care requirements.

Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support to clients and families.

Promotes client's independence by establishing client care goals, teaching client to understand condition, medications and self-care requirements; answering questions.

Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against client care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse act, and other governing agency regulations.

Promotes client's independence by establishing client care goals, teaching client to understand condition, medications and self-care requirements; answering questions.

Assures quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards; measuring health outcomes against client care goals and standards; making or recommending necessary adjustments; following philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse act, and other governing agency.

Resolves client problems and needs by utilizing multidisciplinary team strategies.

Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations; calling for assistance from health care support personnel.

Protects clients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.

Documents patient care services by charting in client and department records.

Maintains continuity among teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.

Maintains client confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.

Maintains nursing supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing orders for supplies.

Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications.

Maintains a cooperative relationship among health care team by communicating information; responding to requests; building rapport; participating in team problem solving methods.

Follows the incident reporting policy and procedure in reporting any potential safety issues.

Demonstrates skills of delegation, organization and coordination of assigned services, delegating responsibilities to designated staff as appropriate.

Functions as a role model for nursing staff.

Role models problem solving as the effective means of resolving conflict.

Participates in input for performance evaluations, disciplinary actions and follow-up to other types of issues.

Develops and maintains effective working relationships with staff, management, and other members of the health care team.

Provides pertinent communication to the Director of Nursing regarding levels of staff performance. Effectively prioritizes communication issues pertaining to all departments and provides collaborative intervention as necessary.

Exercises good judgment and discretion in deviating from policy in circumstances where strict adherence would pose a risk to the patient, visitor, staff or facility.

Collaborates with the Director of Nursing to maintain adequate levels of staff to deliver safe, effective and appropriate care and also remains within the budgetary guidelines.

Provides clinical direction to staff and evaluates the level of care provided by the nursing staff on assigned shifts Holds staff accountable for functioning in a reduced risk manner.

As the coordinator of care, the registered nurse is responsible for the observation and direction of patient lifts and mobilization and participates as needed in patient handling

Provides coordination for the unit and direction for the staff. Responsible for scheduling, patient flow, unit operations, resource allocation and supply management.

Participates in PI data collection, data analysis, reports and staff education.

Assists in providing essential training to the new staff.

Coordinates with the doctors and other nurses on the plan of care to provide the individual treatment needed.

Other duties, as needed.

[havenrn]

I've worked in a MAT clinic for awhile. Dosing the right client with the right dose is very important. Always do a mini assessment when dosing clients. Look for any impairment. Eyes don't lie.

It's fun job! I love it.