The MAT Nurse is a registered nurse who is responsible for coordinating substance use treatment services at both sites (Charlestown & North End) as part of the clinical team. They will demonstrate knowledge about treatment for those with substance use disorders and/or substance misuse. The MAT Nurse provides direct patient care to patients with opioid and substance use disorders, screening and telephone triage, performs intakes, supervises initial buprenorphine induction, and provides counseling on medication assisted therapies for substance use disorder.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides competent, compassionate nursing care based on evidence-based clinical principles that include the integration of substance use disorder treatment in a patient centered treatment plan.
- Provides comprehensive screenings and identification of patients with substance use issues
- Responsible for linking the patient to other members of the team and ensuring that the patient has received all the necessary care consistent with the urgency of the presentation.
- Ability to provide ongoing education and support of patients in all phases of substance use treatment including; nursing visits scheduled and unscheduled, urine toxicology screens, routine labs and as needed, medication teaching, monitoring, pill counts, observed dosing, and medication refills.
- Follow State and Federal guidelines in providing care to opioid dependent patients.
- Responsible for maintaining a tracking tool to assess the prevalence of presentations by the individual patient and the population as a whole.
- Participation in the evaluation of the program’s effectiveness and opportunities for improvement.
- Is responsible for coordinating medication assisted treatment (MAT) with prescribing MD.
- Makes referrals to enabling and support services
- Documents all direct communication with patients and specific advice given in the electronic medical record
- Provides all needed health information to ensure patients/family adequacy of knowledge for self-care
- Maintains communication with primary care team members as needed.
- Provides and maintains a therapeutic environment for patients and families.
- Coordinates involvement of the patient’s family as appropriate and with documented consent
- Helps define standards of excellence for patient care; participates in improvement of patient care services in a cost-effective way.
- Collaborates with other professionals and directs nonprofessional personnel in maintaining recognized standards.
- Performs all other nursing roles within the scope of practice at site as assigned
- Provides care appropriate to age group of patients as described in the unit Scope of Service.
- Participates in orientation of new permanent and temporary staff members.
- Participates in daily operational activities necessary for safe patient/staff environment.
- Utilizes resources efficiently to facilitate optimal patient care.
- Provides input to Nurse Manager / Medical Director / SUDs Manager regarding needs.
- Participates in unit and departmental committees for formulation of nursing and health center policies and procedures.