The Registered Nurse provides comprehensive psychiatric nursing care, including assessing patient conditions and administering medications. They manage therapeutic activities and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure optimal patient health outcomes.
Requirements summary
Candidates must hold an Associate's Degree and a valid State RN license, along with BLS and Crisis Prevention certifications. At least one year of experience is preferred, along with the ability to manage high-stress behavioral health environments.
A Registered Nurse (RN) executes comprehensive nursing care activities. This position is responsible for assessing, monitoring, recording, and reporting symptoms or changes in patient conditions. RNs are required to maintain accurate patient reports and medical histories, perform mental and physical assessments, administer medication and treatment to patients, provide assistance to patients with daily activities, and observe reactions. They are responsible for managing activities within the therapeutic milieu including daily groups, education, 1:1 with individual patients, and collaborating with other members of the treatment team to ensure the best possible care for patients.
Minimum one year experience preferred with appropriate education
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
Ability to manage anger, fear, hostility, and violence of others appropriately
Ability to make decisions under pressure
Ability to manage stress appropriately
Proficient in applicable software applications
Excellent interpersonal skills
Above average organizational skills
Proficient in mathematical and analytical skills as they apply to clinical duties
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines
Comfortable working in confined or crowded areas
Comfortable working alone or in a team environment
Language Skills
Proficient in written and verbal communication skills
Ability to read and comprehend complicated clinical instructions and correspondence
Ability to write detailed clinical correspondence
Proficient in grammar and spelling as it relates to clinical duties
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to Hospital leadership, employees, patients, patient family members, etc.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Restore and promote patient’s health by completing the nursing process
Complete initial nursing assessment within 24 hours of admission or per unit/hospital policy; reassess routinely through patient’s hospital stay
Complete individualized treatment plans for each patient
Plan, implement, and coordinate nursing care activities for patients
Conduct therapies in accordance with patient’s diagnosis and needs
Perform treatment intervention following physician orders such as medication administration and medical treatment orders
Medication reconciliation
Follow voluntary and involuntary procedure/process
Interpret the nursing and treatment needs of the patient to nonclinical staff assigned to the patient
Ensure patient dignity and respect core values
Establish a compassionate environment by providing emotional and psychological support to patients, families, and friends
Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality; and protects operations by keeping patient and hospital information confidential
Operate within ethical standards
Collaborate with physicians, multidisciplinary team members, and outside health and social agencies. Provide efficient discharge plans and obtain accurate histories at admission. Complete all required documentation relevant to patients in a timely and efficient manner.
This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Admission paperwork
Assessments (mental and physical)
Progress notes
Interventions
Evaluations
Discharge paperwork
Assure quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and regulatory standards
As needed, and using approved methods, assist in safely placing patients in seclusion or restraints; observe suicide/seclusion precautions; including physical requirements for physical holds and safe transport of patients
Maintain continuity among nursing teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs
Protect patients and employees by adhering to safety standards; infection-control policies and protocols; medication administration and storage procedures; and controlled substance regulations
Attend to patient personal needs (oral hygiene, toileting, bathing, dressing, transferring, etc.) as required
Use hygienic practices to teach patient hygienic practices
Complete all required staff competencies per hospital regulations in a timely manner
Renew licenses and certifications in a timely manner
Participate in individual, group, and family psychotherapy and educational seminars as appropriate
Plan and implement nursing groups
Ensure operations of equipment by completing preventative maintenance requirements; calling for repairs; and evaluating new equipment and techniques
Provide feedback to supervisor on ongoing basis in regards to concerns, improvements, changes, etc.
Operate and participate in tele-psych
Able to draw patient blood as ordered
Audit charts
Orient or mentor new nursing staff as needed
Other duties as required and assigned
Work Environment and Physical Demands
RNs work in close contact with patients who have moderate to severe psychiatric concerns and/or behavioral issues. There is the possibility RNs could be exposed to violent behavior from patients and /or behavioral issues as part of their daily duties. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must be able to physically perform the requirements of the crisis prevention model utilized in order to provide safe physical holding of patient and transport techniques. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands Continuous (Over 70%) Frequent (40%-69%) Occasional (15%-39%) Rarely (Up to 15%) Standing X Sitting X Walking X Twisting at Waist X Climbing X Bending X Crouching X Kneeling X Pushing/Pulling X Carrying X Up to 15 lbs. X 15-30 lbs. X 30-50 lbs. X Over 50 lbs. X Reaching Above Head X Reaching At or Above Shoulder X Lifting/Lowering X 1-15 lbs. X 15-30 lbs. X 30-50 lbs. X Over 50 lbs. X Fine Hand/Eye Coordination X Color Discrimination X Hearing Acuity X Visual Acuity X Exposure to Communicable Diseases X Body Fluid Exposure X
Mental Demands Continuous (Over 70%) Frequent (40%-69%) Occasional (15%-39%) Rarely (Up to 15%) Concentration on Detail X Attention Span of 1+ hours on a task X Ability to remember multiple tasks X Verbal communication X Written communication X
General Sign-off
The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies and procedures while employed. Jobs are always changing to some degree and the existence of the approved job description is not intended to limit normal change and growth. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
