Thundermist Health Center

Thundermist's Mission - To improve the health of our patients and communities by delivering exceptional health care, removing barriers to that care, and advancing healthy lifestyles.

Please note, effective September 1,2021, all Thundermist employees are required to have an initial dose of vaccine to prevent Covid-19. Effective October 1, 2021, all employees of RI licensed health care facilities must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Employees may be deemed exempt from this requirement based on documentation from their health care provider.

General Responsibilities:

Provides clinical and technical support for Health Care Providers (Medical & Psychiatric) (i.e. immunizations, injections of antibiotics). Provides high quality clinical and customer service response by promptly prioritizing triage calls. Uses previously established practice guidelines to offer advice and health information. Coordinates the utilization of Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Services. Acts as a resource person for (Medical and Behavioral Health) medical assistants and other team members. Coordinates prescription refills. Reviews and categorizes diagnostic tests and provides follow up as needed. Conducts nursing patient visits.

Required Qualifications:

• Current State of Rhode Island Registered Nurse license
• Three or more years nursing experience required
• Previous Behavioral Health/Co-Occurring Disorder /Psychiatric nursing experience required
• Ambulatory Health Care/Family Medicine/Practice experience preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with patients, providers, other members of the health care team, other disciplines and community agencies.
• Professionalism, self-starter, leadership skills, triage skills, documentation skills, and teaching skills.
• CPR certification required
• Psychiatric RN certification preferred.
• Successful completion of competency (oral and written) for CLIA waived test 

Physical Effort/Environment:

Moderate physical activity, walking, standing, stooping, and occasional lifting. Potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens, infectious diseases i.e. respiratory (Tuberculosis) and biohazardous materials. Manual dexterity for injections, computer use.

Work Schedule Demands:

As scheduled during hours of operation (inclusive of week-end and evening hours as assigned) with occasional unscheduled overtime.

Communication Skills:

Interpreting medical terminology. Uses all available methods of communication with patients such as interpreting, counseling, group discussion, written materials and visual aids.

Has sensitivity to the patient population we serve, by identifying cultural, social and economic characteristics.

Able to document clearly, competently and concisely in the medical record.

Able to assist with clinical audits; databases as assigned.

Ability to work as a team member for performance improvement initiatives

Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and communicate in a professional manner with patients, families other staff and outside contacts

Confidentiality of Information:

Full access to the patient’s medical record. Maintains confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA at all levels of patient interaction. 

Significant Job Functions:

• Triages client phone calls evaluating client’s needs/ health care needs
• Conducts pill counts as needed and directed by healthcare provider
• Conduct Urine Toxicology collections as needed and directed by healthcare provider
• Coordinates timely access to psychiatric appointments for patients seeking to establish or continue care
• Assists healthcare provides with administrative requests within the electronic health record (jellybean management)
• Administer injectable medications (inclusive of long acting injectable medications) and monitors patients for reactions/side effects, assessing AIMS scores
• Provide patient education regarding medication side effects and symptom management
• Assists providers in implementing controlled substance agreements
• Assists other members of the care team with complicated patient telephone request/communications
• Provides training to other members of the care team on behavioral health/psychiatric issues
• Serves as a resource to other members of the care team on behavioral health/psychiatric issues
• Provides general health care education and information for client self-care needs
• Coordinates and assesses client’s health care/ illness needs; scheduling primary care appointment with providers as necessary
• Processes prescriptions as needed
• Maintains standard precautions at all times
• Assesses patients for potential communicable diseases and utilizes infection control precautions. (isolation of patient with TB or Chicken Pox)
• Accurately obtains weights and measures, (vital signs, BMI and pain assessment)
• Reviews incoming laboratory reports and follows policy and procedures for lab work
• Assigns appropriate templates to Progress Notes
• Administers vaccines and other injections, as ordered by a provider and in accordance with agency procedures.
• Performs treatments ordered by providers such as dressing changes, respiratory treatments, etc.
• Able to complete a nursing assessment and nursing visit as needed and responds to codes.
• Accurately performs measurements and clinical testing procedures according to policies and procedures.
• Assists providers with exams and surgical procedures as needed.
• Acts as a resource person for other nurses and medical assistants regarding client preparation, needs and procedures needed.
• Provides support and guidance for clinical and clerical support staff regarding client health care needs.
• Provides HIV and family planning counseling based on the needs of the patient population served and accurately completes required paperwork.
• Notifies patients of tests results under the guidance and knowledge of providers.
• Schedules tests and referrals for specialty care.
• Develops, implements and evaluates a nursing care plan, based on the needs of the patient and family
• Assumes responsibility for professional continuing education
• Maintains OSHA and HIPPA guidelines
• Adheres to organizational policies and procedures
• Maintains line of communication with supervisor, providers and other staff members
• Actively participates in performance improvement activities
• When appropriate, completes patient summary before transfer of care
• Receives and verifies verbal orders from providers, assuring accuracy of the order
• Utilize CDSS alerts.
• Perform NST as assigned.
• Utilize standing orders and SOP’s.
• Other tests, duties and special projects as assigned.
• Assist with Suboxone inductions; assessing COWS scores, working with interdisciplinary team on withdrawal management
• Assisting with behavioral health crisis prevention and intervention

1. Developing Patient Safety Plans

• Working with Code Grey Team and Behavioral Early Response Teams on early verbal de-escalation
• Behavioral health nurse wellness and medication management visits
• Conduct baseline and regular EKG monitoring as directed by Provider

Thundermist is dedicated to the goal of building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce committed to caring for patients in a manner that is respectful of cultural difference. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.