Outpatient Clinic/Psychiatric Nurse -RN/LPN (Kalispell, MT)

We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where all team members feel valued and respected. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, as well as opportunities for professional growth and development. If you are looking for a rewarding career, we encourage you to apply to join our team at AWARE.

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive nursing assessments, triage, and crisis evaluations for clients with acute psychiatric, substance use, or co-occurring disorder needs.

• Provide immediate crisis intervention, including de-escalation, stabilization, and coordination of emergency services when required.

• Administer prescribed medications, including psychotropic and MOUD therapies (e.g., buprenorphine, naltrexone), long acting injectables while adhering to the five “rights” of medication administration and documenting this appropriately in the Electronic Health Record.

• Conduct group home medication reconciliations as assigned, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely communication with prescribers and pharmacies.

• Perform laboratory-related tasks as needed and when available, including venipuncture, specimen collection, and urine drug screening (UDS) collection, following chain-of-custody procedures and infection control standards.

• Monitor, evaluate, and document the effectiveness, complications, and side effects of psychotropic and MOUD medications; arrange and track lab work per provider orders.

• Collaborate with providers and the treatment team to coordinate medication refills, lab monitoring, and follow-up care.

• Provide health education to clients, families, and caregivers regarding co-occurring disorders, relapse prevention, coping strategies, and wellness planning.

• Support clients in building adherence to MOUD treatment plans, addressing barriers, and reducing relapse risk.

• Coordinate with external providers, hospitals, crisis stabilization units, and group homes to promote safe and effective transitions of care.

• Deliver consultation and support to staff, caregivers, and community partners to enhance understanding of behavioral health and co-occurring disorder treatment.

• Occasionally provide temporary nursing coverage in other departments or programs as needed and when assigned, to ensure consistent client care.

• Safely manage, store, and destroy medications in accordance with policy and procedures.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation within the electronic medical record (EMR) according to company policy.

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and quality improvement initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, state regulations, and agency policies regarding documentation, confidentiality, and safety.

• Represent the organization with professionalism and uphold standards of nursing practice per the Administrative Rules of Montana.

Benefits - Health Insurance, FSA, HSA, 401k, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Advancement, Professional Development.

Requirements

Talents, skills, and abilities

• Must be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a degree in nursing and be currently licensed as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in the state of Montana.

• Must have a minimum of three years of nursing experience, preferably in a hospital or residential setting. Thorough knowledge of the nursing process as it applies to the provision of medical and psychiatric services to adult individuals.

• Knowledge of current psychopharmacology and the ability to supervise the patient's medication regime, along with knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. This includes needs assessment and meeting quality standards for services.

• Must also have the ability to organize and prioritize work and use sound judgment in emergency situations.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.