PSYCHIATRIC NURSE 3

State-of-Nevad; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nevada Department of Corrections seeks a Psychiatric Nurse 3 for the Northern Nevada Correctional Facility in Carson City. The role includes nursing assessments, care coordination with other disciplines, discharge planning, and educating patients on medications and care requirements.

A current Nevada RN license and three years of professional nursing experience (two in mental health or developmental settings) are required, with CPR/First Aid training.

Qualifications

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Nevada and three years of professional nursing experience, two in mental health or developmental settings.
• CPR/First Aid training required.
• Experience in facility or institutional settings with individuals having mental illness or developmental needs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify patient health care needs using nursing assessment skills and record changes in condition.
• Prepare nursing care plans and coordinate with other professionals for treatment and education.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment teams to ensure optimum health care.
• Administer medications and monitor for side effects, documenting actions taken.
• Maintain safety and hygiene, and provide emergency medical treatments as needed.
• Document progress notes and audit charts to ensure regulatory standards are met.
• Provide education to patients and families on medications and care requirements.

Skills

Nursing assessments

Care coordination

Medication administration

Emergency care (CPR/First Aid)

Discharge planning

Documentation

Team collaboration

Patient education

Education

Nevada RN license

Job description

The Nevada Department of Corrections is seeking to fill a Psychiatric Nurse 3 at the Northern Nevada Correctional Facility in Carson City. Incumbents assist in physical examinations and diagnostic testing; obtain samples for laboratory tests; and perform assigned laboratory tests. They develop/implement nursing discharge plans; work with other disciplines to coordinate services; ensure that appropriate referrals are made; educate patients and families on medications, drug interactions and special care requirements. Incumbents provide emergency medical treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid required to stabilize a patient’s condition. Incumbents complete progress notes in medical charts; review charts for changes in orders and transcribe; prepare written reports, records and summaries; audit charts and statistics; and ensure regulatory standards are being met.

Under general supervision of a higher level nurse, Psychiatric Nurses provide professional nursing care to individuals with developmental delays, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities or social, emotional and/or behavioral disorders, in an institution or out-patient setting in accordance with the authorized scope of practice specified in the Nurse Practice Act.

Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse and three years of professional nursing experience, two of which included working in a facility or institution with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities; OR one year of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse II in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Responsibilities

• Identify patient health care needs utilizing physical and behavioral professional nursing assessment skills; make comprehensive clinical observations and evaluations of health needs including subtle abnormalities and changes in condition; record and report indicative signs and symptoms of physical and mental condition.
• Prepare nursing care plans by assessing patient’s psychological and physical condition and conferring with other health care professionals; evaluate needs and develop nursing diagnoses, plans for treatment, services and health education based on the present and predicted needs of the patient; identify immediate and long-term care goals; review and revise care plans as needed.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment teams by coordinating health services and treatment; collaborate with professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure optimum health care.
• Administer medications intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, topically and orally as prescribed by a physician or designee as allowed in the practice setting; ensure correct time, dosage and appropriate route of administration; count controlled medications to ensure security; monitor patient for medication side effects and/or allergic reaction; observe patient to determine if medication is effective for prescribed treatment and document; if necessary, notify appropriate personnel of action taken.
• Maintain safety, health and wellbeing of individuals in the therapeutic environment as allowed in the practice setting; may assist in physically restraining patients who are a threat to themselves or others and may be hostile and combative; follow facility procedures regarding techniques and duration of confinement; notify appropriate personnel of action taken and document as required.
• Triage and assess patient’s physical and mental health status and recommend admission for inpatient or outpatient services according to established policies and criteria.
• May serve as a community liaison nurse, assisting patients in making the transition from institution to the community or assisting patients which are community based, by providing a broad range of nursing services.
• Assist in physical examinations and diagnostic testing; obtain samples for laboratory tests as ordered by a physician or designee; perform assigned laboratory tests.
• Develop/implement nursing discharge plans; work with other disciplines to coordinate services; ensure that appropriate referrals are made; educate patients and families on medications, drug interactions, and special care requirements.
• Take timely, effective and proper measures to provide and maintain hygienic environments.
• Provide emergency medical treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid required to stabilize a patient’s condition and prevent more serious complications pursuant to established policy.
• Document nurse progress notes in medical charts including patient’s health status, changes in condition, and medications administered; review charts for changes in orders and transcribe; prepare written reports, records and summaries; perform quality improvement activities such as auditing charts and compiling statistics; ensure all applicable regulatory standards are met including documentation of the care delivery process.
• Perform quality assurance and/or utilization review audits and compliance activities; ensure effective and efficient patient care and adherence to community standards of nursing care and/or standards established by accrediting bodies.
• Carry out therapeutic procedures which provide for the emotional and physical comfort of patients.
• Provide education to patients and their families related to good health habits and answer questions regarding prescribed treatment; provide health related education and training to staff.
• Prepare and maintain medical treatment rooms, ensuring supplies are available and ready for use; order and stock medical and related supplies and equipment as needed.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living and encourage them to perform activities without help as appropriate; supervise and/or participate in therapeutic interventions; serve as a positive role model at all times.
• Coordinate and/or participate in clinics; obtain prior approval for billing purposes as needed; schedule appointments; provide or arrange for transportation; conduct screening tests; give immunization injections; create and maintain associated records.
• Supervise paraprofessional and technical staff which may include Licensed Practical Nurses, Mental Health or Developmental Support Technicians, and/or Forensic Specialists as assigned; delegate to other personnel direct care duties consistent with their licensure, certification and competency and as allowed in the practice setting.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Under direction, incumbents perform all of the duties described in the series concept, and serve as a first-line supervisor including providing work direction, and resolving patient care and staffing issues; assign and review work, establish work performance standards, evaluate performance, and provide counseling and discipline to subordinate professional staff in an assigned work area on a shift.

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Knowledge & Skills

Detailed knowledge of:documentation process.

Working knowledge of: quality assurance and/or utilization review audit and compliance activities including applicable regulatory standards; staff education and training techniques; organization and communication techniques. General knowledge of: staffing requirements for a shift; principles and practices of supervision.

Ability to: deal effectively with personnel and staffing issues; respond to and resolve patient care issues; participate in internal investigations.