Nurse Lead

Lead Nurse

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Lead Nurse to join our team. The Nurse Lead provides leadership and direction to licensed and non-licensed staff in the provision of nursing care to individuals with mental and/or developmental disabilities in Center service settings. Acts as role model and resource person and has the ability to effectively implement the nursing process under the requirements of the Texas Nurse Practice Act.

Demonstrates effective utilization/deployment of nursing staff, encourages professional growth among nursing staff, and ensures delivery of quality nursing service. Scope of responsibilities encompasses unit/program during assigned shift, or hours of operation in outpatient settings.

• Utilizes a five step systematic process (nursing process) to deliver consumer services. This process includes assessment, analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Demonstrates decision making that is clinically sound, systematic, timely, well researched and reflects awareness of impact.
• Performs technical nursing skills within the scope of practice for an RN and in accordance with Agency policies and procedures for individual and/or multiple consumer assignments.
• Documents clinically relevant information regarding nursing care in consumer records that includes but is not limited to observations of signs, symptoms, test results, behaviors and response to medications and treatments.
• Informs, explains and educates consumers/family and health care team as needed regarding medications, disease processes and health information at level fitting consumer/family and team members’ comprehension.
• Assigns specific tasks and supervises other RN’s, LVN’s and unlicensed staff in Center service settings in accordance with program design and structure.
• Leads assigned staff in completing duties and assignments, including, coaching, mentoring, and teaching as needed.
• Promotes positive work relationships with staff, team members, supervisors and other disciplines and/or agencies.
• Works independently with minimal supervision and demonstrates effective use of time.
• Provides ethical nursing care in a confidential, caring, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner.
• Performs related work as assigned, adapts to changing work requirements and complies with agency policies and procedures accrediting/regulatory bodies and performance contract documentation requirements

• Associate’s degree (A.D.) or equivalent
• Bachelor’s in Nursing is preferred.
• Nursing degree required. RN License required.

• Minimum 2 years experience required.

• Knowledge of Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Nurse Practice Act and nursing care standards of practice.
• Knowledge of applicable pharmacy rules and regulations.
• Basic knowledge of Pharmacology including psychopharmacology.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply crisis intervention techniques.
• Understanding of Standard Precautions and infection control procedures for dealing with sharp instruments, needles, blood and body fluids.
• Understanding of good body mechanics to avoid injury.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of psychiatric/mental health nursing and/or developmental disabilities nursing.
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles.
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written).
• Effective data collection skills.
• Positive interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to prioritize.
• Demonstrates initiative and self direction.
• Able to coordinate well with others and work effectively as a leader.
• Able to use all related medical equipment, machines and monitors.
• Able to execute standard word processing on computer.
• Demonstrates strong time management skills.
• Able to complete task and assignments independently.
• Demonstrates clinically sound decision making.
• Able to meet Agency/Unit mission and objectives through the effective use of leadership and management skills.
• Ability to develop therapeutic relationships and positive rapport with chronically mentally ill patients and/or developmentally disabled consumers.

The Harris…