POSITION SUMMARY

Provides direct professional nursing care to patients.  Responsible for assessing patient needs, planning, implementing, and evaluating the nursing care provided to the patient.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. Baccalaureate degree in Nursing preferred.
2. Completes Take Charge course before assuming any Charge Nurse duties.

Experience:

1. A minimum of one-year full time experience in psychiatric nursing or employment in a Behavioral Health program preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Demonstrate ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others.  Presents self in a professional and supportive manner.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Hold a current license to practice professional nursing in Pennsylvania.
2. Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.
3. Within three months from the hire/transfer date, completes Crisis Prevention Institute’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI NCI) training and renews every 2 years thereafter.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general supervision from the Manager Behavioral Health and Charge Nurse.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

Supervises the activities of the Behavioral Health Unit staff when assigned Charge Nurse duty.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Applies appropriate theory that is scientifically sound as a basis for decisions regarding nursing practice.
   1. Assumes responsibility for continuing education, professional development that may include clinical supervision, to be defined at the time of evaluation.
   2. Respects and protects the patient's right to confidentiality.
2. Continuously collects data that is comprehensive, accurate and systematic.
   1. Assesses the patient in each of the following areas: 1) Physical Assessment / Systems Review; 2) Mental/Physical Status; 3) Medication status and compliance history; 4) Risk factors; 5) Patients expectations of the hospitalization all within 8 hours of admission.
   2. Supervises the psychiatric counselor's data collection through direct observation and through documentation.
   3. Collects data from family/significant others as appropriate.
   4. Performs mental health evaluations of patients presenting to the emergency room seeking mental health support or treatment.
   5. Conducts preauthorization insurance reviews for admissions and ongoing concurrent reviews for the inpatient Behavioral Health Unit patients as needed.
3. Develops a nursing care plan with specific goals and unique to each client's needs.
   1. Collaborates with clients in establishing individualized treatment plans.
   2. Contributes with other disciplines in establishing Interdisciplinary Treatment Plans within twenty-four (24) hours of admission.
   3. Oversees the revision of the treatment plan as the needs of the patient change or as determined by the target dates.
4. Intervenes as guided by the treatment plan to implement nursing actions that promote, maintain or restore physical and mental health, prevent illness and effect rehabilitation.
   1. Assists families and patients to achieve satisfying and productive patterns of living through health teaching.
   2. Provides medication teaching based on current knowledge, to include purpose, side effects, and contraindications.
   3. Uses the ADL's in a goal directed way to foster adequate self-care, as well as physical and mental wellbeing.
   4. Maintains a safe environment for patients, visitors and employees.
   5. Assists with the orientation of new employees and documents this on the orientation guidelines.
   6. Performs as charge nurse when assigned.
      1. Takes reports.
      2. Acknowledges orders written on that shift.
      3. Makes out the assignment sheet for that shift taking into consideration patient needs and the skill level of the employee.
      4. Ensures that the nurses' station and unit are covered at all times.
      5. Coordinates meal breaks, group assignments, 1:1 assignments, tests, and other activities.
      6. Collaborates on a plan of action with other staff in an emergency situation.  Decisions made should be confirmed with the charge nurse.  If there is a disagreement, his or her decision is final.  The charge nurse should take the lead in implementing such decisions.
      7. Delegate duties and tasks to other team members as necessary and follow-up to ensure completion.
      8. Offer clinical feedback and direction to other staff, as appropriate to encourage professional growth and teamwork.
      9. Ensures the appropriate replacement of nursing personnel who report off unexpectedly from the following shifts.  The Director of Behavioral Health may be contacted by phone to assist in this matter.
      10. Provides comprehensive reports to the psychiatrists and psychiatric providers.
      11. In treatment team, the charge nurse will act as the team leader and request clinical information of and direct/delegate tasks/interventions to the other team members/disciplines to ensure thorough and timely completion.
   7. The RN, minimally, is proficient in the use of
      1. oxygen equipment
      2. suction equipment
      3. saline locks
      4. foley and straight catheters
      5. ambu bag
      6. enema equipment
      7. accessing resources in order to gain the information to perform nursing procedures.
5. Collaborates with members of the Behavioral Health service and other Medical Center departments to meet the behavioral health needs of the Medical Center.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.