PSYCHIATRIC NURSE 2

Job Summary

The Nevada Department of Corrections is recruiting for a Psychiatric Nurse 2 to be located at Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City. This position actively participates with the medical and mental health team in providing nursing care and treatment to inmates in a correctional setting. Work responsibilities include providing professional nursing care to inmates, medication management and administering medications as prescribed by the agency psychiatrist and/or psychiatric provider, and monitoring for side effects, maintaining client safety, assist in physically restraining inmates who are a threat to themselves or others, triage and assess inmate's physical and mental health status and recommend admission for inpatient or outpatient services, develop/implement nursing discharge plans, and educate patients and families on medications and special care requirements.

Essential Qualifications

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which included working in a facility or institution with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities; OR one year of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse I in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

• Identify patient health care needs utilizing physical and behavioral professional nursing assessment skills; make comprehensive clinical observations and evaluations of health needs including subtle abnormalities and changes in condition; record and report indicative signs and symptoms of physical and mental condition.
• Prepare nursing care plans by assessing patient’s psychological and physical condition and conferring with other health care professionals; evaluate needs and develop nursing diagnoses, plans for treatment, services and health education based on the present and predicted needs of the patient; identify immediate and long-term care goals; review and revise care plans as needed.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment teams by coordinating health services and treatment; collaborate with professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure optimum health care.
• Administer medications intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, topically and orally as prescribed by a physician or designee as allowed in the practice setting; ensure correct time, dosage and appropriate route of administration; count controlled medications to ensure security; monitor patient for medication side effects and/or allergic reaction; observe patient to determine if medication is effective for prescribed treatment and document; if necessary, notify appropriate personnel of action taken.
• Maintain safety, health and wellbeing of individuals in the therapeutic environment as allowed in the practice setting; may assist in physically restraining patients who are a threat to themselves or others and may be hostile and combative; follow facility procedures regarding techniques and duration of confinement; notify appropriate personnel of action taken and document as required.
• Triage and assess patient’s physical and mental health status and recommend admission for inpatient or outpatient services according to established policies and criteria.
• May serve as a community liaison nurse, assisting patients in making the transition from institution to the community or assisting patients which are community based, by providing a broad range of nursing services.
• Assist in physical examinations and diagnostic testing; obtain samples for laboratory tests as ordered by a physician or designee; perform assigned laboratory tests.
• Develop/implement nursing discharge plans; work with other disciplines to coordinate services; ensure that appropriate referrals are made; educate patients and families on medications, drug interactions, and special care requirements.
• Take timely, effective and proper measures to provide and maintain hygienic environments.
• Provide emergency medical treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid required to stabilize a patient’s condition and prevent more serious complications pursuant to established policy.
• Document nurse progress notes in medical charts including patient’s health status, changes in condition, and medications administered; review charts for changes in orders and transcribe; prepare written reports, records and summaries; perform quality improvement activities such as auditing charts and compiling statistics; ensure all applicable regulatory standards are met including documentation of the care delivery process.
• Perform quality assurance and/or utilization review audits and compliance activities; ensure effective and efficient patient care and adherence to community standards of nursing care and/or standards established by accrediting bodies.
• Carry out therapeutic procedures which provide for the emotional and physical comfort of patients.
• Provide education to patients and their families related to good health habits and answer questions regarding prescribed treatment; provide health related education and training to staff.
• Prepare and maintain medical treatment rooms, ensuring supplies are available and ready for use; order and stock medical and related supplies and equipment as needed.
• Aid patients with activities of daily living and encourage them to perform activities without help as appropriate; supervise and/or participate in therapeutic interventions; serve as a positive role model at all times.
• Cook up and/or participate in clinics; obtain prior approval for billing purposes as needed; schedule appointments; provide or arrange for transportation; conduct screening tests; give immunization injections; create and maintain associated records.
• Supervise paraprofessional and technical staff which may include Licensed Practical Nurses, Mental Health or Developmental Support Technicians, and/or Forensic Specialists as assigned; delegate to other personnel direct care duties consistent with their licensure, certification and competency and as allowed in the practice setting.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of: current nursing practices, principles, methods and procedures used in psychiatric/mental health nursing; application of the psychiatric nursing process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation; uses and effects of psychotropic medications used in nursing; psychiatric principles and therapeutic interventions utilized in nursing care of individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities through cooperation with a treatment team and physician; documentation process; operation and use of standard medical equipment; nutrition and personal hygiene as applied to patient care; human growth and development; routine laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures used in the practice setting; physical restraint techniques and procedures as allowed in the practice setting; client centered care.
• Ability to: respond to and resolve patient care issues; independently perform specialized assignments such as infection control, quality assurance, utilization review, staff training, admissions and/or outpatient services.