GERO Nurse (Remote - Asheville, NC)

LOCATION: Remote – must live in or near Asheville, North Carolina. Must have the ability to travel as needed. GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB: This position is a part of the Geriatric and Adult Mental Health Specialty Team (GAMHST) that is an initiative through the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services and is responsible for overseeing operations using the set of Division of MHDDSUS Program Requirements that specifically outline the work of this team. The Geriatric Team Nurse is responsible for working collaboratively with the other members of the team in providing training, consultation, and technical assistance to recipients. Recipients are various community organizations (i.e., senior centers, faith-based organizations, law enforcement and other 1st responders, adult day, department of social services, homeless shelters, and senior meal programs), and staff of nursing homes, adult care homes, family care homes serving adults with mental illness.

Work independently and collaboratively to develop and teach evidence informed presentations about a variety of mental illnesses and how to manage difficult behaviors, as well as, how to navigate the behavioral health system to the above-mentioned agencies. Provide education and linkage to services for caregivers of older adults who are providing care for individuals in the community. Provide training to staff and volunteers on various topics relevant to older adult mental health (i.e., recognizing symptoms of mental illness, behavioral intervention, communication issues); Aid in identifying ongoing training resources for staff and volunteers as needed. Provide case consultation regarding behaviors that may result in the need for more intensive services including and up to hospitalization and facilitate access to those services. Assist staff in assessing behaviors. Provide input and support in the development of intervention (crisis) plans. Model for staff and provide technical assistance with implementation of intervention plans. Assist staff or caregivers with linkage to community providers/resources serving the geriatric population for the purpose of promoting aging in place and improvement of health (i.e., identification of long-term care facilities suited to specific needs). Work collaboratively with other team members on a variety of clinical issues including diagnostic criteria and evidence-based treatment options for individuals with a wide variety of serious and persistent mental illnesses as well as geriatric specific considerations such as dementia and late life depression. Provide marketing to agencies within scope of Program Requirements that are not receiving education or support through the team. Participate in community workgroups to enhance the community’s ability to provide services/care for older adults. Document required elements on Division of MHDDSUS report, in Vaya electronic health record, and other internal processes (i.e., timesheet, travel sheet). Documentation deadlines are specific to each of those above items. Accurate documentation is critical. Participate in meetings with regional team, whole team, department, agency as requested/needed. Attend individual supervision on a regular basis for ongoing employee support. ** Duties are subject to change as updated Program Requirements are distributed from Division of MHDDSUS. Other duties as assigned.