Registered Nurse- ACT Program

Program: Assertive Community Treatment Program (ACT)

Position Title: Registered Nurse (RN)

Reports to: ACT Program Director

Status: Full Time/ Salary

Salary: $ 80K- $85K

The Link & Option Center, Inc. is a Joint Commission–accredited outpatient State Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) serving the far Southside community and designated to serve the Southland region with locations in South Holland and Hazel Crest, Illinois. Founded in 1994, The Link & Option Center, Inc. provides comprehensive behavioral health services including assessment, psychiatry, therapy, crisis services, case management, and care coordination.

The Link & Option Center, Inc., is committed to delivering culturally competent, person-centered care that addresses both behavioral health needs and the social determinants impacting overall well-being. Through early identification, prevention, and treatment, The Link & Option Center, Inc., strives to improve the quality of life and strengthen the communities it serves.

Position Summary

The ACT Registered Nurse (RN) is a core member of The Link & Option Center's (TLOC) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team and provides integrated behavioral and physical healthcare services to TLOC Clients with serious and persistent mental illness. Working collaboratively with the Psychiatric Care Provider, ACT Team Leader, and interdisciplinary team members, the RN is responsible for managing the ACT medication system, coordinating healthcare services, monitoring physical and behavioral health needs, and promoting overall wellness and recovery.

Consistent with the TMACT fidelity model, the ACT RN delivers services primarily in community-based settings and plays a critical role in ensuring continuity of care, medication adherence, health education, prevention, and coordination of services across behavioral health and medical systems. The RN utilizes a person-centered, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach to support TLOC Clients in achieving their health and recovery goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Medication Management and Nursing Care

Manage the ACT medication system in collaboration with the Psychiatric Care Provider and other treatment team members.

Administer, monitor, document, and coordinate prescribed medications, including long-acting injectable medications, in accordance with physician orders, agency policies, and professional standards.

Conduct medication reconciliation and ensure accurate medication records are maintained.

Monitor medication effectiveness, adherence, side effects, adverse reactions, and potential medication interactions.

Develop and implement strategies, with client consent, to promote medication adherence and self-management.

Health Assessment and Monitoring

Conduct nursing assessments and ongoing monitoring of TLOC Clients' physical and behavioral health status.

Screen for medical concerns, medication side effects, substance use, health risks, and barriers to healthcare.

Obtain and monitor vital signs, laboratory results, and other health indicators as clinically appropriate.

Assist in identifying changes in health status and communicate findings to the Psychiatric Care Provider and interdisciplinary team.

Participate in crisis intervention and support stabilization efforts as needed.

Care Coordination and Integrated Healthcare

Coordinate healthcare services across primary care, specialty care, hospitals, pharmacies, and other community providers.

Facilitate medical referrals, follow-up appointments, laboratory services, and continuity of care.

Communicate and collaborate with healthcare providers regarding treatment recommendations, medical concerns, medication management, and health outcomes.

Support care transitions, including hospital admissions, discharges, and post-hospital follow-up.

Accompany or transport TLOC Clients to medical appointments when clinically indicated and consistent with agency policy.

Health Promotion and Education

Provide education to TLOC Clients regarding physical health, wellness, medication use, symptom management, nutrition, exercise, tobacco cessation, harm reduction, chronic disease management, and preventive healthcare.

Promote healthy lifestyle choices and support TLOC Clients in addressing health-risk behaviors.

Educate ACT team members regarding psychiatric and medical symptoms, medication side effects, and health-related concerns to support comprehensive client care.

Support self-management and recovery through coaching, motivational interviewing, and strength-based interventions.

Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

Serve as an active member of the ACT multidisciplinary team and participate in daily team meetings, clinical staffings, and treatment planning discussions.

Collaborate closely with the Psychiatric Care Provider to monitor client health status, medication response, and treatment needs.

Provide consultation and nursing expertise to team members regarding physical health and medication-related concerns.

Contribute to the development and implementation of person-centered interventions that support client recovery and community integration.

Compliance, Quality, and Fidelity

Ensure nursing services are delivered in accordance with TMACT fidelity standards, CCBHC requirements, agency policies, licensing standards, and applicable regulations.

Maintain timely, accurate, and complete documentation within the electronic health record.

Participate in quality improvement activities, fidelity reviews, audits, accreditation processes, and program evaluation efforts.

Support program outcomes through adherence to best practices, continuous quality improvement, and evidence-based care.

Minimum Qualifications

Schedule

Standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility for evening hours as needed.

Due to the community-based nature of the ACT model, schedule flexibility is essential. Work hours may occasionally vary to meet client needs, support crisis intervention, facilitate hospital discharges, and ensure continuity of care.

Participation in a rotating weekend coverage and crisis response schedule is required.

Education and Licensure

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Current and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Illinois.

Experience

Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with adults with serious and persistent mental illness, consistent with TMACT fidelity standards.

Experience in community mental health, behavioral healthcare, case management, care coordination, or integrated healthcare preferred.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance, Dental & Vision
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off