Registered Nurse RN Mental Health

Summary

This position functions as a Registered Nurse (RN) providing direct care to patients on the Mental Health Unit using the nursing process. This includes ongoing assessment of the total patient. The RN provides interventions to treat the presenting symptoms and evaluates the effect of nursing interventions and patients' responses. The RN functions as a team member and resource to others. The RN delegates, oversees, and provides direction to Mental Health Counselors.

The RN is responsible for meeting the needs of all types of psychiatric patients, including those with medical complications.

• (25%) Provides high quality, evidence‑based nursing care to patients using neurobiological and cognitive‑behavioral frameworks and techniques.
• (25%) Using the nursing process, completes assessments, provides interventions, and evaluates patient outcomes according to the appropriate pathway guidelines.
• (20%) Provides education to patients on illness, coping alternatives, and relapse prevention.
• (15%) Delegates, oversees, and provides direction to Mental Health Counselor team members.
• (15%) Takes initiative to provide appropriate activities for patients when needed (e.g., during evenings or weekends).

• RN:
  Registered Nurse (Essential)
• BLS:
  Basic Life Support (Essential – within 1 month of hire)
• Fingerprinting (Essential)
• Recipient Rights training (Essential – mandatory within 30 days of hire and annually)
• iChat (Essential – annually on hire date)
• TEAM ADVANCED:
  Techniques for Effective Aggression Management (Essential – within 6 months of hire; employees in the position before 12/31/2023 have 24 months to complete)

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.

• Communicates information accurately and effectively (verbal and written) to treatment team, patient, family, and other agencies.
• Demonstrates interest and pursues advancement of clinical skills (asks questions, seeks feedback, shares articles, attends continuing education).
• Monitors and manages the milieu to maintain a safe environment.
• Identifies and intervenes appropriately in any potential crisis.
• Possesses crisis intervention skills.
• Keeps updated on non‑physical and physical management techniques and implements them with sound judgment following current policy.
• Conducts groups and provides individual education as appropriate.
• Maintains patient dignity and rights.
• Collaborates effectively with other departments and agencies on behalf of the patient.
• Documents according to policy and monitors changes in patient status.
• Participates in performance improvement projects.
• Completes admission assessments accurately, completely, and timely.
• Performs basic nursing tasks (vital signs, weight, I/O, specimen collection, personal care assistance).
• Assesses and utilizes seclusion and restraints appropriately and documents per policy.
• Behaves in a courteous, professional manner with patients, visitors, and co‑workers.
• Conveys a positive attitude and collaborates to solve problems constructively.
• Knowledgeable about mental health code and acts as a patient advocate.
• Works with probate courts and attorneys to resolve patient legal issues.
• Follows hospital policy and procedures.
• Has working knowledge of computers, phones, and unit equipment.
• Responds promptly and correctly to disasters and codes.
• Administers medications as ordered.
• Obtains and transcribes physician orders.
• Completes nursing assessments, ongoing assessments, and communicates patient status to physicians and the team.
• Attends treatment team meetings.
• Provides nursing treatments (e.g., dressing changes) to all patients.
• Provides medication teaching.
• Completes nursing duties accurately, timely, and thoroughly.
• Acts as a team leader when needed for decision‑making regarding patient, family, or milieu issues.

• Good interpersonal skills, initiative, teamwork, and ability to work with a variety of patient needs.
• Employee must demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows; additional learning may be required.
• Preferred knowledge of psychiatric‑mental health nursing through one or more…