CLINICAL SPECIALIST NURSING
Because Clinical Specialist Nursing is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.
The minimum is a master's degree and a professional license.
How to apply
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How to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction in an interdisciplinary treatment team or alone in a psychiatric setting or unit, provides sociopsychiatric assessment, supportive therapy, counseling and guidance, health, and teaching and nursing care for community based patients in an inpatient or outpatient clinic, emergency room, or other patient care facility or partial hospital; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Works closely with other members of the total treatment team in the formulation of the total treatment plan for patients. Participates with the interdisciplinary team in defining policies and developing the total care program for patients. Provides supportive therapy, counseling, and guidance, health teaching, social science referral, and nursing care to patients. Interviews patients and/or family to develop psychosocial history. Participates in group, family, or individual therapy sessions with patients. May perform home visits to patients for evaluation of social setting. Observes patients closely, evaluating and recording any significant behavior and reaction patterns for psychiatrist and/or team use in reevaluation of treatment plan. May serve as a nurse therapist for assigned individuals or group. Confers with ward and/or clinic nursing personnel on a regular basis to determine clinical nursing problems and to plan approaches to resolution of such problems. May be called on to work with a variety of patients to make continuing assessment of patient conditions and problems and identify behavioral changes and their significance. Administers prescribed medication. Maintains confidential records of data secured in individual and/or group interviews with patients. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Nursing including completion of at least one (1) academic year of clinical education in advanced psychiatric nursing.
License
Current and valid registration as a Professional Nurse in the State of New Jersey. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of professional nursing theories, procedures, and techniques used in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients. Knowledge of other professions or interdisciplinary teams. Knowledge of the goals and objectives of psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists, and the tools they use. Knowledge of personality development theories for evaluating behavior and reaction patterns of patients. Knowledge of group interactions and theories of group therapy. Ability to meet and deal with a variety of employees and disturbed patients and relatives. Ability to organize assigned nursing work. Ability to provide information in accord with prescribed procedures. Ability to work harmoniously with children and adult patients, associates, subordinates, superiors, and other persons interested in or concerned with the mental hygiene and psychology programs of the institution or clinic. Ability to apply psychiatric nursing theory and social science concepts in a clinical setting. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to give assignments and instructions. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.