Head Nurse - Behavioral Health Services

Purpose of Position

Under general supervision, directs the development, implementation and evaluation of the nursing regimen for patients/clients within an assigned unit involving the diagnosis and treatment of responses to actual or potential health problems by means of nursing methods and techniques such as case-finding, health teaching, health counseling and the provision of care supportive to and restorative of life and well-being.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Schedules, assigns, guides, directs and instructs nursing personnel in nursing activities.
• Identifies and discriminates between physical and psycho-social signs and symptoms.
• Selects and performs those therapeutic measures which are essential for effective execution of the nursing regimen for assigned patients/clients.
• Develops, implements and continuously evaluates the nursing regimen for assigned patients/clients.
• Records and maintains nursing care plans and progress notes on patients/clients to ensure continuity of care.
• Interprets and reports responses of patients/clients to appropriate members of the health team.
• Participates with interdisciplinary health team members to plan a comprehensive patient care program.
• Determines and assigns those components of the nursing regimen which may be carried out by allied nursing personnel.
• Provides teaching, guidance and direction to allied nursing personnel in rendering patient care.
• Participates in defining, implementing, maintaining and interpreting standards of nursing practice.
• Participates in departmental and interdisciplinary conferences pertaining to policies and procedures affecting nursing practice.
• Participates in determining conditions, resources and policies essential to the delivery of nursing care services.
• Participates in development and maintenance of a system of evaluation of nursing care, practices and procedures, including evaluation of nursing personnel.
• Maintains professional competence through participation in continuing education and other appropriate learning experiences.
• Performs other professional nursing activities as delegated by nursing service administration.
• Captures and coordinates the development, implementation and continuous evaluation of the nursing regimen for patients/clients within the unit.
• Reviews and analyzes trends pertinent to delivery of nursing care services within the unit and initiates appropriate innovations or makes recommendations for needed changes.
• Develops and maintains a system of evaluation of nursing care, practices and procedures, including evaluation of nursing personnel within a unit.
• Captures and conducts conferences to develop nursing care plans and to promote staff development.
• When assigned to continuing education for Nursing Service, assists in planning, preparation, implementation and evaluation of training and educational activities for nursing practitioners and allied nursing personnel.
• Captures and coordinates unit participation in interdisciplinary health teams and conferences pertaining to health care setting and/or Systemwide initiatives, which affect nursing practice.

Minimum Qualifications

• A valid New York State license and current registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State;
• Holds, or obtains through facility orientation, a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA);
• One (1) year of experience as a registered nurse.