Psychiatric Nurse

The Nevada Department of Corrections is recruiting for a Psychiatric Nurse 3 to be located at Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City. The incumbent in this position will serve as a Nursing Supervisor overseeing staff and offenders in a correctional hospital setting. Work shifts can include Monday‑Thursday or Tuesday‑Friday from 5 am‑3 pm (position may be four 10‑hour days).

Under general supervision of a higher level nurse, psychiatric nurses provide professional nursing care to individuals with developmental delays, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or social, emotional and/or behavioral disorders in an institution or outpatient setting in accordance with the authorized scope of practice specified in the Nurse Practice Act.

• Provide professional nursing care to inmates, including medication management and administration as prescribed by the agency psychiatrist, monitoring for side effects, and maintaining client safety.
• Assist in physically restraining inmates who pose a threat to themselves or others, following facility procedures for technique and duration of confinement.
• Triage and assess inmates’ physical and mental health status and recommend admission for inpatient or outpatient services per established policies and criteria.
• Develop, implement, and revise nursing discharge plans in collaboration with other disciplines; educate patients and families on medications, drug interactions, and special care requirements.
• Administer medications intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, topically, and orally as prescribed, ensuring correct dosage, route and timing, counting controlled medications for security, and monitoring patients for side effects or allergic reactions.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment teams, coordinating health services and treatment, and collaborating with professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure optimal health care.
• Assist in physical examinations and diagnostic testing, obtain laboratory samples as ordered, and perform assigned laboratory tests.
• Provide emergency medical treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid to stabilize patient conditions.
• Document nursing progress notes in medical charts, prepare written reports and summaries, and perform quality improvement activities such as chart audits and statistics compilation.
• Perform quality assurance and compliance activities, ensuring effective and efficient patient care and adherence to community standards of nursing care and accrediting body standards.
• Maintain safe therapeutic environments, provide hygienic care, and supervise or participate in therapeutic interventions.
• Supervise paraprofessional and technical staff (e.g., Licensed Practical Nurses, Mental Health or Developmental Support Technicians, Forensic Specialists), delegating direct‑care duties consistent with licensure and competency.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
• Three years of professional nursing experience, with at least two years working in a facility or institution with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or intellectual disabilities; OR one year of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse II in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Under general supervision of a higher level nurse.

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Detailed knowledge of:

• Documentation process.

Working knowledge of:

• Quality assurance and/or utilization review audit and compliance activities including applicable regulatory standards.
• Staff education and training techniques.
• Organization and communication techniques.
• General knowledge of staffing requirements for a shift.
• Principles and practices of supervision.

Ability to:

• Deal effectively with personnel and staffing issues.
• Respond to and resolve patient care issues.
• Participate in internal investigations.