Position Summary
Provides nursing care through physical and mental assessments, laboratory testing, treatment plans and therapeutic treatments. Knowledgeable of a wide range of disorders; cognitive, emotional, developmental, social and behavioral. Performs crisis intervention. Participates in the department’s performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities. Communicates with physicians/Nurse Manager/co-workers, as appropriate. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provides care appropriate to condition and age of patient including, pediatric, adolescent, adult and the geriatric population.
- Ability to perform a nursing assessment on all patients and reassessments as per policy.
- This includes: pediatric, geriatric and the general patient population.
- Ability to adequately assess and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.
- Educates the patient and family regarding pain management.
- Ability to revise treatment plans as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment and evaluates overall plan daily for effectiveness.
- Performs thorough patient psychiatric interviews.
- Continuously observes patient’s behavior, mental status and activities.
- Follows the five medication rights and reduces the potential for medication errors.
- Formulates and implements patient treatment plans; family is included when appropriate.
- Knowledge of medications including psychotropic drugs and their correct administration based on the age of the patient and their clinical condition.
- Documentation meets current standards and policies.
- Coordinates and supervises patient care as necessary.
- Concurs with members of the treatment team for the benefit of the patient.
- Consults other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient’s needs.
- Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient’s age.
- Orients new staff members and volunteers.
- Formulates teaching based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness learning, family is included in teaching as appropriate.
- Communicates appropriately and clearly to the Nurse Manager, coworkers and physicians.
- Adheres to Employee Safety Initiatives.
- Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
- Completes annual education requirements.
- Maintains regulatory requirements.
- Ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
- Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
- Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
- Attends annual review and department in-services, as scheduled.
- Attends at least 8 staff meetings annually, reads and returns all monthly staff meeting
minutes.
- Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
- Actively participates in performance improvement activities.
Competencies
- Demonstrates an ability to perform crisis intervention and triage.
- Demonstrates ability to perform treatments and provide services to level licensure.
- Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
- Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served.
- Able to interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group.
- Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and
reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
- Consults other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to
the patient’s needs while maintaining a good working relationship.
- Communicates appropriately and clearly to Nurse Manager, co-workers and physicians.
- Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with
Social Service/Discharge Planner regarding both in hospital and post discharge needs.
- Documentation meets current standards and policies.
- Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
- Functions as a patient and family advocate at all times.
- Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
Supervisory Responsibility
None.
Requirements
Required Education and Experience
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
- Current state Registered Nurse Licensure within state of practice.
- Current CPR, CPI or MOAB certification.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Previous experience in Behavioral Health.