Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:                                

-Provides and coordinates care by assessing physical and behavioral health needs of patient, develops and implements nursing care plans, maintains medical records and educates patients and their families about various physical and behavioral health conditions while ensuring patient safety at all times.

-Assesses patient’s status on an ongoing basis and communicates finding to the providers timely.

-Ensures nursing treatment plans are specific to assessed needs and initial treatment plan is completed upon admission.

-Obtains provider’s orders (verbal or via telephone) accurately and documents appropriately; transcribes and reviews provider’s orders ensuring all required elements are present and appropriate per policy and procedures.

-Accurately administers medications per ordered utilizing at least two patient identifiers.

-Notifies providers of significant changes in status such as difficulties with detox, medical emergencies, pertinent lab results, or change in medical status regarding response to medications, etc.

-Assesses and documents effects of PRN medications.

-Maintains accountability of administration, recording, control and security of medications, including narcotics.

-Completes admission and discharge processes efficiently and accurately as directed.

-Confers regularly with treatment team (e.g., nurses, therapists, program managers, physician) regarding patient care. Attends and participates in the unit activities such as therapy groups, family meetings as appropriate, staffing, unit meetings, etc.

-Provides education/explanation to patients, families, and co-workers regarding medication usage/maintenance, common side effects, patient's rights, as well as other topics necessary for optimal patient care. 

-Monitors patient acuity, census, staffing needs, and escalates coverage needs to supervisor/Charge RN.

-Ensures thorough, accurate documentation is completed for all patients on each shift and patient assignment sheets are completed daily and tasks are carried out as assigned. 

-Communicates thorough hand-off reports to oncoming staff and supervisors.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

-Graduation from an approved/accredited school of nursing.

-One or more years’ nursing experience within clinical area of service provided by facility preferred.

-Experience in behavioral health/psychiatric/addiction recovery environment preferred.

-Knowledge of and experience with psychotropic medications and medication administration procedures. 

-Ability to apply nursing standards and practice within an acute psychiatric setting

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

-Valid current RN license from the state or from a compact state, where applicable.

-Certified in Psychiatric Nursing preferred.

-CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

-First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

WORK LOCATION:

-This position is onsite at the facility and is not a remote position.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS: 

-This position is an Individual Contributor.