REGISTERED NURSE

Alternative Consulting Enterprises (ACE) is seeking a Registered Nurse to administer long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications and provide psychiatric nursing care in an outpatient behavioral health setting. You will work with a multidisciplinary team serving children, adolescents, and adults throughout Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Clinical Setting

This is a part-time position in an outpatient psychiatric clinic specializing in comprehensive behavioral health services. You will collaborate with experienced psychiatrists, behavioral health professionals, and care coordinators to support continuity of care for patients with serious mental illness.

Responsibilities

• Administer long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications per prescriber orders, manufacturer guidelines, and clinic protocols, using correct dilution/reconstitution, needle gauge, and Z-track or deltoid/gluteal injection technique as indicated.
• Verify patient identity, medication, dose, injection site, and due date against the medication administration record (MAR) prior to every injection.
• Perform pre-injection assessments, including review of psychiatric status, current medications, allergies, injection site condition, and any interim symptoms or side effects.
• Maintain and monitor the LAI injection schedule for an assigned patient panel; proactively contact patients who are due or overdue for injections to support adherence and relapse prevention.
• Observe patients for immediate post-injection reactions, including post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome with olanzapine pamoate, per required monitoring periods, and initiate emergency protocols when necessary.
• Monitor for and document medication side effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), akathisia, tardive dyskinesia, sedation, metabolic changes, and injection-site reactions; escalate concerns to the prescriber promptly.
• Coordinate metabolic and other required lab monitoring (e.g., weight, glucose, lipids, prolactin) in accordance with prescriber orders and clinic protocol.
• Accurately and promptly document all injections administered, including medication, lot number, dose, site, and patient response, in the Electronic Health Records (EHR) system.
• Provide patient and caregiver education on the purpose, benefits, and possible side effects of LAI antipsychotic treatment, and reinforce the importance of maintaining the injection schedule.
• Coordinate with pharmacy and prescribers on prior authorizations, medication procurement, and timely refill of LAI medications to prevent gaps in treatment.
• Maintain accurate inventory of LAI medications, diluents, and injection supplies, including proper storage, refrigeration where required, and tracking of expiration dates.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous materials and sharps in accordance with OSHA and clinic safety standards.
• Consult the Psychiatrist/Medical Director immediately for any case outside the nurse's scope of practice, for missed or refused injections, or for signs of clinical decompensation.
• Communicate with case managers, care coordinators, and outpatient treatment teams to support continuity of care.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and applicable behavioral health confidentiality regulations (42 CFR Part 2) at all times.
• Use trauma-informed, de-escalation, and therapeutic communication techniques when engaging with patients who may present with agitation, psychosis, or distress.
• Demonstrate cooperative, professional behavior with providers, colleagues, and patients.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director or Medical Director.

Required Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in Pennsylvania.
• Current CPR/BLS certification.
• Training and competency in administration of long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications, including Z-track and deltoid/gluteal injection technique, required prior to independently administering treatments.
• One year of clinical nursing experience.
• Working knowledge of antipsychotic medications, common side effects, and psychiatric monitoring requirements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with patients who have serious mental illness.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced outpatient clinic setting.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary psychiatric care team.
• Sensitivity to the needs of a diverse psychiatric patient population.

Preferred Qualifications

• Psychiatric, behavioral health, or community mental health experience.
• Training or experience in de-escalation and trauma-informed care.

Schedule

Part-time with flexible scheduling.

Location

Alternative Consulting Enterprises, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Compensation

Starting at $35.00 per hour.

Benefits

• Flexible part-time schedule.
• Supportive multidisciplinary team.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Collaborative work environment.