Emergency Psychiatric RN

Responsibilities:

• Clinical Practice
• Provides age appropriate care for the population served. Gives consideration to growth & developmental phase of life, to age related factors such as thermal regulation, nutrition, medication administration, nutrition, safety and functional needs of the patient.
• Uses appropriate resources for patients with special needs such as language barriers, sensory problems, altered cognition, cultural and religious needs.
• Ensures attention to patient’s physical, spiritual and emotional well being.
• Demonstrates competency in assessment skills (Includes admission and shift assessments).
• Performs pain assessments and intervenes to optimally meet patient’s needs for comfort.
• Plans clinical care based on patient’s needs and uses available resources.
• Performs clinical care in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Performs peripheral venipuncture and peripheral vascular access care according to policy & procedure.
• Evaluates outcomes of nursing interventions and takes appropriate actions to move patient toward reaching goals of care.
• Identifies situations that warrant patient rescue and takes appropriate action, e.g. Rapid Response or Code Blue/Pink.
• Adheres to the 5 rights of medication administration and uses the medication administration system.
• Integrates principles of infection control & infection prevention into practice.
• Adheres to aseptic technique as appropriate.
• Uses resources and references for reviewing policies and procedures, medications, and clinical information.
• Prioritizes and organizes work effectively within assigned shift.
• Assesses the patient's mental health and collaborates with psychiatrists or other care givers in the development of treatment plans.
• May be required to restrain distressed or violent patients.
• Performs work under minimal supervision
• Handles complex issues and problems.
• Possesses comprehensive knowledge of subject matter. Provides leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group.
• Communication
• Uses effective communication during hand-offs. (e.g. shift report, transfer report).
• Organizes information into a meaningful format, such as SBAR.
• Delegates appropriately to unlicensed personnel and team members.
• Communicates patient care information to the interdisciplinary care team.
• Provides patient and family education in a manner that is understood and gives the patient and family handouts, brochures and resources that can be taken home for future reference.
• Documentation
• Documents patient care in an accurate, professional and timely manner using the electronic medical record(s), and paper documentation forms.
• Documents patient care that is relevant to patient’s diagnosis, problems and reflects patient’s status.
• Professional Role Development
• Develops own nursing knowledge via practice, observation, professional literature, networking and attending continuing education programs.
• Promotes best practice by demonstrating a commitment to quality patient care and the profession of nursing.
• Promotes innovation and creativity in the practice environment.
• Serves as a preceptor and mentor for new employees.
• Mentors student nurses.
• Demonstrates verbal and writing skills that are appropriate for healthcare communication.
• Department of Nursing and Organization Support
• Attends assigned committee meetings and contributes to the committees.
• Communicates support of organizational values and strategies.
• Supports the following organizational programs: Magnet®, Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification, Nursing Councils, and integrates their standards into clinical practice.
• Reviews nursing quality data, e.g. NDNQI and identifies how to apply best practice into own practice and mentor others towards meeting quality target goals.
• Departmental Support
• Maintains equipment in working order. Uses equipment appropriately, follows Department policies for equipment and supply use and maintenance.
• Performs assigned duties to maintain unit in a state of survey readiness and maintain quality initiatives. For example, quality control measures, emergency equipment checks, medication preparation area cleanliness, etc.
• Adheres to unit programs to support patient care such as maintaining a quiet environment, hourly patient rounds, customer service, etc.
• Attends staff meetings on a regular basis.
• Keeps patient care area and work environment neat and organized.

Credentials:

• Registered Nurse - PA (Required)
• PMH-BC Certification preferred
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (Required)
• ACLS required within 6 months of hire.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (Required)
• CPR Certification

Education or Equivalent Experience:

• Bachelor of Science Nursing (Required)
• Bachelors of Science in Nursing required And 1+ years Acute Psychiatric Nursing Experience preferred