PSYCHIATRIC NURSE 2

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.
• One year of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse I in Nevada State service.
• 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.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment teams by coordinating health services and treatment; collaborate with professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure optimum health care.
• Ensure correct time, dosage and appropriate route of medication administration; 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; follow facility procedures regarding techniques; 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.
• Take timely, effective and proper measures to provide and maintain hygienic environments.
• 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.
• Supervise paraprofessional and technical staff which may include Mental Health Technicians.
• Perform related duties as assigned.