Registered Nurse

Southwood Psychiatric Hospital offers a specialized program for young males struggling with multiple diagnoses, including intellectual disabilities and sexually maladaptive behaviors. CHOICES Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, is a 32-bed facility serving males aged 10-21 with significant mental health issues and a history of inappropriate sexual behaviors. Licensed by the State of Pennsylvania as a mental health program, it provides the highest level of structure and supervision in a residential setting, offering co-occurring intensive treatment based on the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy model of Relapse Prevention. We are not located on a public transportation line. All patient-facing staff must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) to join our team. This role involves providing and coordinating care for patients with complex mental health and behavioral needs in a highly structured residential treatment environment.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ physical and behavioral health needs and develop and implement nursing care plans.
• Maintain medical records and educate patients and their families about various physical and behavioral health conditions.
• Provide nursing care and services within the standards and scope of nursing practice as defined by state regulations, facility policies, and corporate procedures.
• Ensure physicians’ orders are legible if taken verbally and transcribed appropriately per policy and procedure.
• Assess patients’ status on an ongoing basis, gather pertinent information, and document findings.
• Notify physicians of significant changes in patient status, such as difficulties with detox, medical emergencies, medication responses, and related challenges.
• Complete initial nursing treatment plans upon admission, ensuring they are specific to assessed needs.
• Demonstrate knowledge and utilization of universal precautions in providing direct patient care.
• Accurately administer medications per ordered note and document controlled substance medication administration.
• Complete admission and discharge processing efficiently and accurately as directed.
• Exhibit therapeutic rapport with patients by maintaining professional boundaries, respecting personal space, giving patients direct attention, and maintaining rational detachment.
• Provide direction or coordinate the activities of the unit as directed.
• Communicate therapeutically and professionally with patients, visitors, co-workers, and others involved in patient treatment.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license as required by the state of employment or eligibility to practice nursing in accordance with state requirements.
• One year of nursing experience; previous psychiatric, mental, behavioral, or substance use nursing experience is a plus.
• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by the facility).
• First aid certification may be required based on state or facility requirements.