Psychiatric Medicine and Emergency Department Registered Nurse

Under general supervision, provides direct patient care to assigned psychiatric and/or Emergency Department (Adult and Pediatric) patients. The RN collaborates with other members of the health team, delegates appropriately to support staff and directs care to assure the patient's care needs are met. The RN's actions and attitudes will promote and support the hospital's mission and core values. The RN must stay current with standards of practice through ongoing education relevant to nursing, such as the Nurse Practice Act.

• Associate Degree from an accredited School of Nursing required; BSN preferred.
• RN with National Certification as a Psychiatric Nurse encouraged to apply.

• Current registration with the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses as a Registered Nurse.
• Completion of "Healthcare Provider" CPR course, bi‑annually.
• ACLS and PALS preferred, but can be obtained within probationary period.

• Two to three years of psychiatric nursing experience
• Ability to care for low emergent medical acuity, and comprehensive psychiatric patients in an Emergency Department setting.

• Interpersonal communication (oral and written) skills required for educating and comforting patients and families, maintaining effective contacts with hospital personnel, and maintaining appropriate documentation records.
• Proficiency in developing nursing plan of care, implementing effective nursing care, and evaluating outcomes of nursing interventions.
• Professional nursing principles, procedures, and techniques used in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients.
• Apply professional nursing care principles and procedures in the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric, and/or low acuity emergent medical patients.
• Develop interpersonal therapeutic relationships with psychiatric patients.
• Keep accurate written charts and records of patient activities and progress.
• Comply with laws, rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures.
• Use professional judgment to ascertain and apply appropriate intervention techniques with patients in crisis, including de‑escalation techniques.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and function calmly in situations requiring high sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Provide prompt, efficient, and responsive service.
• Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Professional nursing principles, procedures, and techniques applied in care of psychiatric and/or low acuity emergent medical patients.
• Understand social, psychological, and physical factors of mental and emotional disorders.
• Knowledge of medical and psychological terminology.
• Knowledge of medications, including psychotropic drugs, and their effects on psychiatric patients.
• Control, preparation, and administration of medications.
• Knowledge of state of Maryland laws and regulations for the nursing profession.
• Knowledge of regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and treatment of mentally and emotionally disturbed patients.
• Knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques of group and individual psychotherapy.
• Ability to identify symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed mentally ill patients, including substance abuse, withdrawal, detoxification.
• Knowledge of medical and psychiatric emergency procedures.
• Basic computer program proficiency.

Utilization of Nursing Process

• Conduct intake assessments through interviews with patients and relatives to gather case history.
• Utilize physical assessment and interviewing techniques.
• Make nursing diagnoses of patients’ medical and emotional status and recommend treatment options.
• Anticipate need for intervention by other disciplines.
• Determine priorities for patient care needs or problems.
• Reassess patient as indicated by changes in condition and/or response to treatment(s).

• Initiate and update a written nursing plan of care incorporating scientific and psychosocial principles supporting the nursing diagnosis.
• Incorporate information obtained from…