Supervising Behavioral Health Nurse

Supervising Behavioral Health Nurse

Under general direction, plans, organizes, and directs the day-to-day professional nursing activities and related functions on an assigned shift at the in-patient behavioral health treatment facility, and other County out-patient clinic locations; collaborates with other medical staff and interdisciplinary health treatment teams to evaluate and prepare treatment plans; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and/or administrative support staff.

This is the full supervisory-level class in the Behavioral Health Nurse series that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized nursing services in support of the County's in-patient behavioral health facility or out-patient programs with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of assigned staff and for organizing and overseeing day-to-day nursing, behavioral health, and support services program implementation for hospitalized patients.

Employees are responsible for providing professional level support to management in a variety of areas. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.

Oversees the day-to-day treatment administered and operations of the County's behavioral health facility or outpatient clinic on assigned shift.

Oversees and assesses patients upon admission to unit and makes presentation of physical and behavioral condition findings to attending physicians.

Accepts report of previous shift and updates new admissions and medications; makes appropriate nursing notes on patients charts and writes medication orders; ensures that patient charts contain accurate and complete documentation.

Organizes, assigns, directs, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned staff and/or an interdisciplinary treatment team in the delivery of patient care; maintains a safe and secure environment; serves as case coordinator for assigned patients or clients, as needed.

Performs end-of-shift narcotics count and maintains records of medications in compliance with regulations.

Oversees and provides professional nursing care to patients; observes and charts vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.

Oversees and provides equipment and supplies required for patient examination or treatment.

Oversees and administers oral and hypodermic medications and observes and records their effects; obtains and records all orders from physician to facilitate patient treatment.

Oversees and participates in the preparation of the nursing component of patient treatment plans, including physical assessments on new patients; as a member of an interdisciplinary team, oversees and participates in diagnostic and therapeutic activities.

Performs crisis intervention, in person and on the phone; manages assaultive behavior and provides general counseling; coordinates or arranges for the provision of needed services, including emergency detention when patient is in danger to self or others.

Oversees and provides supportive services, including individual, group or family counseling, and various group activities such as exercise and art.

Confers with medical, behavioral health and inter-agency staff regarding client needs and ways of improving staff's ability to impact on clients.

Conducts or arranges to have staff conduct case conferences; facilitates decisions on difficult behavioral health cases and problems; and performs chart audits and utilization review.

Maintains prescribed standards of behavioral health treatment and ensures services are rendered in conformance with policy and procedural guidelines.

Performs related duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge and ability required.

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of general behavioral health nursing care, as defined by the State of California licensing requirements.

Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.

Principles and practices of leadership.

Principles, practices, and methods of community behavioral health treatment, including interviewing, assessment and family and group counseling.

Applicable guidelines for laws affecting behavioral health treatment, services, and reporting procedures.

Medical and behavioral health terminology and first aid methods and procedures.

Psychotropic medicines, including narcotics, and their effects on patients.

Standard medical recordkeeping, including patient charting and the processing and maintenance of required…