Job Summary
Evergreen Treatment Services has been offering medication assisted treatment for adults with opioid use disorders in our federally accredited opioid treatment programs (OTP) since 1973. In 2016, our Seattle location serves nearly 1500 patients with two dispensaries and a mobile dispensary van. The site employs 14 RN and LPNs who staff the dispensing windows, and 7 dispensary technicians (mostly CNAs) who assist the nursing staff and with the collection of urinalysis samples for drug testing. The dispensary serves as the heartbeat of the OTP since patients new to the program must travel to the clinic six days per week to be assessed for the appropriateness of their medication on any given day and then consume it in front of the dispensary nursing staff. Nurses are the front line contact with all of our patients and are instrumental in developing a positive therapeutic relationship with each one. The Dispensary nurses interface extensively with the medical staff (PA-Cs and ARNPs), the Pharmacist-in-Charge, the counseling staff (all certified Chemical Dependency Professionals, many with advanced degrees), the acupuncturists, and other support staff in the clinic. Nurses provide valuable insight into possible therapeutic interventions for patients who have difficulty stabilizing their opioid use disorder, and are rewarded by the positive visible and cognitive changes exhibited by patients who become stable.
The Dispensary Nurse position is responsible for the safe and efficient dispensing of doses of methadone to clients, consistent with the clinic procedures. The nature of this position is fast-paced in high-stress situations and conditions.
Job Functions (May Include):
- Dispense appropriate methadone doses, in accordance with clinic procedures.
- Record all doses dispensed and account for all methadone used during a Dispensary shift.
- Accurately record patient details in the electronic medical records system.
- Organize and monitor the activities of the Dispensary Technician as requested by the Lead Dispensary Technician or Dispensary Manager.
- Attend such meetings as directed by the Dispensary Manager(s) and report to the Medical Director as required.
- Monitor charts for dose discrepancies and take corrective action when needed.
- Participate in Team meetings and provide such data as needed by the Team for inclusion of medical treatment plan.
- Monitor tuberculosis testing for all patients and assigned units, including making outside referrals when appropriate.
Qualification Requirements
Education
- Nurses at ETS must be graduates of an accredited school of nursing and have a current Washington State Nurses License. The nurse must bean RN with a medications license. Coursework in the behavioral sciences is desired, however previous experience with drug abuse treatment is not required.Experience
- Experience in the behavioral sciences is desired, however previous experience with drug abuse treatment is not required.Additional Requirements
- Computer literate, with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, and electronic medical records systems, as well as a high level of initiative in keeping current with technological change(s).
- Ability to prioritize workload and activities, and follow through on assigned tasks to assure completion in a timely manner.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and switch between tasks quickly.
- High integrity and ethical standards.
- Dependable, able to work under pressure, receptive to change, willing to learn, cooperative approach to problem-solving
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, and outside contacts from a wide variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds; good diplomatic skills; including strong conflict-resolution skills.
- Flexible team player; cooperative and uses excellent judgment.
- Excellent attention to detail, planning and analytical skills.
- Good basic clerical skills including typing, ability to proof own work, good grammar and spelling.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check.Language Skills
- Ability to read and interpret general business correspondence, policies and procedures, referral information, financial documentation, and applicable government regulations.
- Ability to write business letters, uncomplicated reports, instructions, and procedures.
- Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from patients, staff, referral sources, and the general public.Mathematical Skills and Reasoning Ability
- Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply business arithmetic skills accurately and rapidly.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where standardization may be limited. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, schedule, or diagram format.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, schedule, or diagram format.Physical Requirements
- The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear; frequently required to stand, walk, and kneel; occasionally to climb balance, or stoop; rarely to crouch or crawl.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, and peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.Equipment Used
Computer, photocopier, fax machine, phone, and dispensary equipment.
Job Type: Full-time
License:
- WA state Registered Nurse (RN)