COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH NURSE

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for
providing skilled psychiatric nursing care to clinic patients to aid in prevention, treatment, and
rehabilitation of mental illness and substance use disorders. The incumbent performs a variety of
nursing activities as part of a multi-disciplinary team, provides health related training to other
staff, and carries a therapy caseload for assigned clients. Work is performed under direct
supervision of a psychiatrist along with general supervision of the Director and Deputy Director
of Community Mental Health Services with wide latitude allowed for the exercise of
independent judgement in performing nursing duties. Supervision is not generally a function of
this position. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.<br>TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative Only) Provides professional nursing services
as a member of a multi-disciplinary psychiatric treatment team; Organizes and implements a
system of medication evaluation by physician; Assesses and identifies patient nursing care needs
and prepares and carries out a nursing care plan; Participates in the intake, screening, and
diagnostic evaluation of clinic patients and/or their family members; May refer clients to other
agencies for a variety of needed services; Makes recommendations to fellow team members
regarding emergency or continuing care and suggests alternative treatment plans; Maintains
contact with agencies, including but not limited to, schools, social services, and probation
officers to understand and/or overcome clients medical and psychological problems; Advises the
family of methods of dealing with or correcting emergency situations and on the availability of
medical, social, and housing facilities for the patient in the community; Participates in and assists
fellow team members in assessing, planning for, meeting, and evaluating patient and family
member needs to aid in the formulation of a treatment plan; Assists in Community Mental Health
education, consultation, and public relations activities; Attends courses and performs
independent study and reading to further professional growth; Compiles and maintains a variety
of records, reports, and statistical information.<br>MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:<li>
A) Graduation from a four-year college with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing AND one (1) year
experience in the behavioral health field; OR<li>
B) Completion of a course of study approved by the New York State Education Department as
qualifying for Registered Professional Nurse AND three (3) years of full time paid (or the
equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience as a registered nurse, counselor, caseworker, or
other related direct service title in a human services program, which includes one (1) year in the
behavioral health field.<br>
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Eligibility for a New York State Registered Professional
Nurses license at time of application. Possession of license and current registration at time of
appointment.<br>
NOTE: Completion of a minimum 60 semester hours in a college or university with major
coursework (15 Semester hours minimum) in social science, human services or resources,
education, or a closely related field may be substituted for the two years of experience in (B)
above. The education must be in addition to that completed as part of the nursing program.
NOTE: Nursing experience in a hospital, doctors office, nursing home, or other clinical setting
is not qualifying in (B) above unless the experience was specifically in a psychiatric program.
Other nursing experience is not qualifying.