Behavioral Health RN - PRN Days

About the Role

Provides planning and delivery of direct and indirect patient care through the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Develops nursing care plans in coordination with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary staff as necessary. Communicates changes in patient’s clinical condition with physicians, nursing supervisor/manager, and co-workers as appropriate. Participates in the discharge planning process.

Responsibilities

• Maintains the standard of nursing care and implements policies and procedures of the hospital and nursing department.
• Directs, supervises, and evaluates nursing care provided to patients.
• Assigns or delegates tasks based on patient needs, potential for harm, complexity of the task, and scope of practice of the staff.
• Documents patient admission assessment, reassessments, care plans, and other pertinent information in the medical record according to nursing standards.
• Performs assessments on all patients on admission and reassessments as per policy; makes referrals to other disciplines based on assessment.
• Develops and updates nursing care plans, ensuring coordination with patient, family, and team members.
• Administers medication utilizing the five rights of medication administration to reduce errors.
• Assesses and reassesses pain, utilizing appropriate pain management techniques and educating the patient and family.
• Revises the plan of care based on the patient’s response to treatment and evaluates overall effectiveness.
• Performs patient care considering age-specific needs and interprets data to identify those needs.
• Receives and transcribes physician’s orders accurately, documenting completion.
• Formulates and evaluates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs, including family as appropriate.
• Assists physicians with examinations, treatments, and special procedures within scope of practice.
• Treats patients and families with respect and dignity, addressing psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual needs.
• Functions as a liaison between administration, patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
• Interprets patient data to identify age-specific needs and provides appropriate care.
• Performs care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of errors.
• Initiates or assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients’ conditions.
• Answers telephones, paging systems, call lights, anticipates patient needs, and makes rounds.
• Consults other departments to provide an interdisciplinary approach to patient care.
• Provides end-of-shift reports, ensures narcotics are counted, documentation is complete, and physician orders are signed off.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to management, co-workers, and physicians.
• Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and families; coordinates with Social Service/Discharge Planner.
• Participates in the orientation, instruction, and training of new personnel.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Requirements

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on patient age and clinical condition.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Able to organize tasks, develop action plans, set priorities, and function under stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain good working relationships within and across departments.
• Must read, write, and speak fluent English.
• Good and regular attendance.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing, or Nursing Diploma program.
• Current state licensure as a Registered Nurse.
• ACLS preferred.
• BCLS certification required.
• Crisis prevention training and certification strongly preferred; mandatory completion within 90 days of hire.
• Minimum one year of experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting.