Concerted Care Group, Author at Concerted Care Group

April 27, 2021

LPN Career Opportunity at Concerted Care Group

Nurses have a crucial role in assisting patients in drug addiction recovery programs. They monitor’s the patient’s progress. Additionally, they help them maintain sobriety and adjust to life without drugs.

Substance abuse LPNs are in demand at both inpatient and outpatient care facilities. They work with patients of all ages, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds.

Concerted Care Group, LLC is currently looking for an innovative, committed, and highly skilled Dispensing Nurse to grow our integrated health organization. As part of CCG’s commitment to supporting our employee’s success, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we also offer private parking, company-provided PPE, private office space, flexible and remote work options at our clean and modern clinics.

Concerted Care Group, LLC offers the most effective treatment of addiction available – including addiction to heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, prescription painkillers, and other opiates. We’ve been around for 5 years and we are just getting started. Our outpatient clinic is conveniently located in the communities that we serve.

We treat the whole person, not just the chemical dependency of addiction.

Responsible for the daily monitoring of patient’s needs and care of all patients reporting to the OTP clinic. This person works with the Nurse Manager, Medical Director and Clinical Supervisor to assure appropriate medical care for patients. This individual is also responsible for the completeness of all medical aspects of the medical record. The Nurse is responsible for dispensing any medications the clinic may utilize in the treatment of patients.

Principle Responsibilities and Tasks of the Dispensing Nurse:

Performs all duties within regularly scheduled hours.
Greets each patient to confirm identity and proper medication using two patient identifiers.
Responsible for medical services to be in compliance with Federal, State, CARF, and COMAR regulations/standards
Manages medication Inventory
Dispenses medication according to protocol.
Processes medical orders
Performs physical examinations and medical evaluations on clients as required
Recalls conducted in accordance with program protocol
Maintains accurate records. Submits and files all documentation within 24 hours of the event
Collects specimens and submits/processes appropriately
Participates in the review of new, readmissions, and transfer clients.
Provides intervention in crisis situations
Assists Nurse Manager in daily program operation.
Assesses clients for treatment needs and interventions.
Interacts with outside agencies for referrals, dosage verification, and other elements of coordination of care. Represents the agency professionally in person as well as over the phone.
Delivers medication as needed.
Maintains a cooperative and positive attitude and approach to patients, staff and visitors.

Requirements

Graduate from an accredited school of nursing
Licensed within the state of Maryland as an LPN
1 year experience in medication assisted treatment
CPR certified within 3 months of hire
Will be required to submit to PPD screening or provide record of screening from previous employer within the past year

The Concerted Care Group is a great place to work. You can achieve your personal and professional goals while helping others overcome their addictions. Plus, have a steady income and be able to work in different locations.

If you are interested in applying for this career opportunity, please complete the application at our Concerted Care Group website.

November 24, 2020

by Concerted Care Group

Five Successful Sobriety Strategies for the Holidays

sobriety during holidays Concerted Care Group

Addiction Treatment, Mental Health

The holidays are just around the corner and with them come the challenges to stay sober and still have a good time. The good news is: It can be done!

Thanksgiving and Christmas should never be looked upon as a depressing time for those of us who are sober and want to remain that way. There are millions before us who have not touched a drink or drug over the holidays and made it just fine. However, just like our becoming sober and staying that way, it can’t be done it doesn’t have to be done alone. We have a few strategies for you to employ during the next six weeks that should help you not only keep stay sober but still enjoy the holiday season yourself, substance-free:

Don’t sit still for too long. Idle time can be where the trouble starts dangerously. Instead, get up and get moving! Hike, walk, run, bike, and just be of service to your family and friends. Run in the annual turkey trot race. Set the table, cook the stuffing, or clean the house. There are hundreds of productive things you can do with your time.
Set boundaries and keep them. We all have our “emotional triggers” and most of them can come from our loved ones. One heated conversation with a family member can set tick us off and send us to the local bar to seek old comforts and fall into bad habits. Don’t let that happen. Instead, set boundaries. Make sure they know that your loved ones know politics, religion, relationships, or any other topic you outline that may be contentious and should not be brought to are not on the table for discussion. Keep conversations with family members on lighter, kinder, and more respectful friendlier topics. Let them know that you don’t want to get into anything that may cause you anyone irritation. If you need to, leave the table and take a walk to cool off. Let them know you have boundaries now and you are keeping them.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage). Going to a party is fine. Going to a party without your own preferred beverage is a mistake. Run to your favorite grocer and get the non-alcoholic drinks you like whether it’s a soft drink, sparkling water, iced tea, it doesn’t matter orange juice or chocolate milk. Bring it with you to the event and enjoy it. You will be less tempted and have fun anyway!

Be thankful. Whether you have been sober for three weeks or thirty years, you should be thankful that you have made it this far. Life can be difficult and you aren’t perfect. Accept what you cannot change and work on those areas that you can change. There is no need to be in control of everything around you. It’s impossible. Your sobriety has opened your eyes to the fact that you have your space and it’s better now. Be grateful for that.

Keep your friends close. Have a friend or two you can reach out to when you are feeling stressed. Your sponsor, spouse, BFF, pastor, rabbi, or neighbor whom you can trust and confide in whenever you need to do so. Make sure they have your back someone you can trust knows you’re depending on them. Keep a journal, too. Write down your thoughts or record them. Whatever you do, don’t keep it all inside.

There’s an old saying about sobriety: “I’d rather stay clean than have to get clean all over again.” If you do the 5 steps listed above you won’t have to get clean all over again. Don’t let the upcoming holidays get you down. You can do it. It’s one more milestone to celebrate with your success.

If you or someone you know needs substance abuse treatment, consult one of our experienced counselors. The Concerted Care Group of Central Baltimore, MD, and Brooklyn, MD, has a compassionate behavioral health team that includes therapists, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric and medical providers a nurse practitioner, and a psychiatrist. Services include individual, group, and family therapy for adults and adolescents. Group therapy and psychiatric services are available for adults.

September 30, 2020

by Concerted Care Group

Substance Abuse Treatment: Opioid Addiction and COVID-19

opioid addiction and COVID 19 Concerted Care

COVID-19, Opiate Addiction

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on opioid users as overdoses in the United States have increased by 18% since quarantine orders were issued in March. *** Depression, lockdowns, anxiety, unemployment, deaths, and erratic news stories have all been factors in the spike of these numbers.

So, now that we have experienced this pandemic, once it’s over will the COVID vaccinations work? Most opioid addiction treatments (OUD-Opioid Use Disorder) include methadone and Suboxone for long term management of what is known to be a chronic disease.

More than forty states have reported a steep increase in opioid-related deaths. Mental health issues have been heaped on drug users as they turn to illegal drugs to cope with the pandemic. The federal government is providing assistance for treatment options but states are responsible for providing and monitoring treatments to people to avoid leaving their homes, to avoid congregating in clinics, because of fears of COVID, and due to mandates to reduce exposure risk. Maryland, where Concerted Care Group is based, had a slight increase in deaths from drug and alcohol intoxication during the first quarter of 2020 as the lockdown was getting underway.

Opioids, however, caused almost 90% of the fatalities in Maryland during the first half of 2020. The synthetic opioid fentanyl killed 1,100, or 83% of “overall cases”, a 12% uptick from 2019.

What are we to make of these statistics? How can we possibly reduce opioid-related fatalities during a pandemic?

There are ways we can help friends and loved ones who are struggling during this time. Here are five ways you help:

If you notice someone you work with or employ is continually renewing an opioid prescription for lower back pain – please work together with employers, friends, and health insurance consultants to ensure we plan and design programs to meet employees’ underlying health conditions. They should also be assigned a treatment counselor to follow the course of their care.
Employees should not flush their unused prescriptions or throw them away as this is a hazard, both environmentally, and to those who may come in contact with controlled substances inadvertently. Instead, distribute drug deactivation and disposal pouches for scientifically proven, safe, at-home drug disposal.
Employee education programs that explain opioid addiction, treatment, and safe drug storage and disposal should be implemented.
Make individuals who are prescribed controlled substances accountable by visiting them at least weekly to make sure they are not relapsing into addiction. If they are not a member of Narcotics Anonymous, they need to get a sponsor and join as soon as possible. Ask a physician for a referral to a medical professional in addiction medicine. Then, take the patient in for treatment yourself. Asking them to go on their own may be too great a step to do.
Be encouraging. Let your friend or loved one know that opioid addiction can be managed successfully, even during a pandemic. Don’t be confrontational. Be compassionate and strong. Insist that they get help and that you and others will be with them from the consultation with the physician to the treatment. Studies have shown that support goes a long way.

The COVID-19 pandemic has a complicated life and opioid addicts have paid the price. Many of them have hit new lows and have suffered. But, even in these times, there is help and recovery. Substance abuse is a treatable disease and recovery is possible.

The Concerted Care Group of Central Baltimore, MD, and Brooklyn, MD, has a compassionate Behavioral Health team that includes therapists, psychiatric care, and nurse practitioners. Services include individual and family therapy for adults and adolescents. Group therapy and psychiatric services are available for adults.

For more information on how the COVID pandemic has affected Opioid users, click here.

June 15, 2016

by Concerted Care Group

Inside Baltimore City

Addiction Treatment, Opiate Addiction

Today the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will take a step in a positive direction to combat the nation’s opioid epidemic. The HHS will announce a regulation to permit doctors to treat more patients with buprenorphine. The medication, which has been approved by the FDA for nearly 15 years, is the only drug whose prescription by a physician is limited by congress. The Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Leana Wen, applauded the HHS stating: “I commend HHS for making a decision based on science, not stigma.” Dr Wen explains, “When prescribed properly, medication does not create a new addiction, but rather manages a patient’s disease so that they can successfully achieve recovery.”

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