Registered Nurse Inpatient Behavioral Health

POSITION TITLE:  Registered Nurse

DEPARTMENT:       Behavioral Services Unit

POSITION REPORTS TO: BSU, Unit Manager 

FLSA STATUS:        Non-Exempt             

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

1. Graduate of Accredited School of Nursing
2. Current NYS RN Licensure
3. BLS Certification
4. Successful completion of TCI training within 3 months of hire
5. Successful completion of medication competency exam

Mental Requirements:

1. Emotional Stability and organizational skills necessary to meet the demands of a stressful environment and emergency situations.
2. Good interpersonal skills to interact in appropriate manner with various personalities relating to patients, peers, visitors, staff, and outside customers/agencies.

Physical Requirements:

1. Audio, visual acuity and physical dexterity to interact appropriately with patients, peers, supervisors, physicians, and other hospital staff and outside agencies.
2. Must be able to do long periods of standing, walking, bending, stretching and be able to change positions quickly.
3. Requires agility to change body motion quickly
4. Must be able to lift and assist in lifting utilizing appropriate body mechanics, without weight restriction
5. Physically acts on knowledge of regulatory requirements regarding risks involved in exposure to blood borne and/or hazardous toxic substances.
6. Ability to participate as a member and/or lead a team trained to physically subdue and restrain individuals of all weights and sizes, who are in behavioral dyscontrol. This activity includes but is not limited to lifting, holding, straining, and running.

Work Experience:

1. Two years medical/surgical experience required
2. Prior experience in a mental health setting preferred

Job Specific Duties:

Psychiatric Nurses provide direct and individualized nursing care to patients based on the application of scientific nursing principles. In addition to basic nursing care, responsibilities of Psychiatric Nurses include (but are not limited to):

1. Completes physical & mental health assessments
2.  Develops care plans for patients, helping them be as independent as possible
3. Administers and monitors treatment regimens
4. Administers prescribed medications, making constant adjustments commensurate with a patient’s condition under the supervision of qualified medical staff
5. Observes and reports behavioral changes
6. Maintains control of drugs and medications
7. Helps patients improve their coping abilities
8. Works with patients’ families to help improve the patient’s abilities & help them deal with family member’s mental illness
9. Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms
10.  Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment setting
11. Direct care provided by licensed practical nurses and nursing aides
12. Float among various clinical services, where qualified
13.  Respects cultural and religious practices of patients
14. Upholds HIPAA regulations
15. Punctual and dependent for assigned/confirmed shifts