PRN Intake Registered Nurse - 7a-7p

About the Role

The Psychiatric Intake RN provides professional nursing care to patients according to hospital policy and procedure. Responsibilities include assessing patient care needs, planning and implementing nursing care procedures, evaluating patient progress, and modifying care plans as necessary. The role involves providing teaching to patients and their families, and directing the work of nursing support staff through appropriate delegation and supervision skills. Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care to patients, including facilitating social and emotional needs, supervising medication schedules, and evaluating patient progress.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals to determine and provide the best possible care for patients.
• Maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
• Provide social support for patients by encouraging participation in support groups, social activities, and other therapeutic measures.
• Conduct intake assessments through interviews with patients and relatives to gather case history.
• Plan and provide nursing care for patients, including making nursing diagnoses of medical and emotional status and recommending treatment options.
• Consult with psychiatrists and other behavioral health staff in designing appropriate treatment plans for clients.
• Administer and note reactions to psychotropic drugs and other medications.
• Arrange further medical attention when necessary.
• Assist clients in understanding the nature of emotional disturbances and accepting the need for treatment.
• Keep accurate written charts and records of patient activities and progress, complying with laws, rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures.
• Use professional judgment to ascertain and apply appropriate intervention techniques with patients in crisis.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and patients.
• Test for vital signs of pain and ensure treatments of pain.
• Document all patient information on medical charts and follow physician's written orders.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of patient treatments, immunizations, and laboratory results.
• Perform administrative assignments such as filing, answering phones, typing, and completing progress notes in the computer system.

Requirements

• Education: ADN or BSN from an accredited college or university.
• CPR certification and Behavior Managing Program (obtained within 30 days upon hire).
• Required Licenses: Valid Texas RN license in good standing.
• BLS, ACLS, and CPI certifications are a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience, preferably in a behavioral healthcare setting, phone triage, tele-health, or case management, or a combination of education and experience.
• Must be 21 years old or older.
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Skills

• Knowledgeable of patient rights and laws pertaining to mental health, and regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and treatment of mentally and emotionally disturbed patients.
• Understanding of theories, principles, and techniques of group and individual psychotherapy.
• Familiarity with symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed and mentally ill patients.
• Advanced knowledge and clinical skills in diagnosis and treatment of mental health.
• Professional nursing principles, procedures, and techniques used in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients.
• Understanding of social, psychological, and physical factors of mental and emotional disorders.
• Knowledge of medical and psychological terminology, medications (including psychotropic drugs), and their effects on psychiatric patients.
• Sound leadership skills and ability to organize activities and schedules for medical and non-medical tasks.
• Basic knowledge of treatment procedures, interventions for acute psychotic and non-violent crises, medical and psychiatric emergency procedures.
• Basic knowledge of abnormal psychology, particularly in child or adolescent psychiatric populations.
• Familiarity with psychopharmacy and the use of psychotropic medications.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, time management, and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to apply professional nursing care principles and procedures in evaluating and treating psychiatric patients.
• Ability to develop interpersonal therapeutic relationships with psychiatric patients.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including facilitating and co-facilitating process-oriented and didactic groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and function calmly in high-sensitivity situations.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information.

Screening

• Must successfully pass a background check, drug screen, and physical.
• Must be able to provide positive employment references.

Physical Demands

• With or without reasonable accommodations, must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand for sustained periods, walk, pull, lift, raise, and move objects from position to position (up to 50 lbs).
• Must be able to finger grasp, feel sizes, shapes, temperatures, and textures.
• Must be able to express or exchange ideas orally and potentially loudly, accurately, or quickly.
• Must be able to visually detect, determine, perceive, identify, recognize, judge, observe, inspect, and assess.
• Must be able to perceive the nature of sound with or without correction.
• Must be able to perform repetitive motions of the wrist, hands, or fingers.
• Light work most of the time, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
• Occasionally medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently.

Benefits

• Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid disability.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• A generous amount of paid time off.