PSYCHIATRIC NURSE 2 - MESQUITE

About the role

The Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services (SNAMHS) is recruiting for a Psychiatric Nurse 2. This position is located in the Mesquite Behavioral Health Center.

Responsibilities

• 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;
• 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;
• Aid in physical examinations and diagnostic ss as ordered by a physician or designee;
• Obtain samples for laboratory ss as ordered by a physician or designee;
• Develop/implement nursing discharge plans;
• Work with other disciplines to coordinate services;
• Ensure that appropriate referrals are made;
• Provide education to patients and their families related to good health habits and answer questions regarding prescribed treatment;
• Prepare and maintain medical treatment rooms, ensuring supplies are available and ready for use;
• Assist patients with activities of daily living and encourage them to perform activities without help as appropriate;
• Coordinate and/or participate in clinics;
• Obtain prior approval for billing purposes as needed;
• Schedule appointments;
• Provide or arrange for transportation;
• Conduct screening ss;
• 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.

Requirements

• 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 1 in Nevada State service;
• An equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Qualifications

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 ss 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.