LPN, Healthcare Nursing, Mental Health Nurse

Why is a nursing career with Mercy Community Behavioral Health unlike any other?

• ANCC Pathway to Excellence designated hospital
• We believe in shared governance, enabling our staff to be engaged in important care delivery decisions that impact patient outcomes.
• We offer many diverse opportunities for professional growth including a clinical ladder program that offers our nurses a continuous learning environment to achieve professional growth, incentives for advancement and attainment of specialty certifications.

Job Summary:

Participates in general nursing care for the mental health and/or individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders under the supervision of a registered nurse.

• Screens individuals for potential admission via the telephone (or walk-ins) to ensure the level of care is appropriate. Obtains necessary information regarding medical, psychiatric and substance use history.
• Appropriately refers individuals to other referral services if the person is not appropriate for this level of care or if there is no bed availability. Completes electronic documentation of individual’s screened but not admitted, to include reason for non-admission and identification of other referral agency.
• Receives and processes individuals through the admission process based on unit admission guidelines in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team so that each person clearly understands orientation to unit, fire safety, confidentiality, alcohol, drug and tobacco free policies and proper adherence to infection control and hygiene standards.
• Conducts daily vital signs monitoring for new admissions and individuals in residence; documenting accordingly and reporting any questionable findings to Registered Nurse and/or other medical staff.
• Collects concise, accurate health data information, completes the electronic Health Data form and as directed by the Registered Nurse may include summary information in the Health Data form identifying nursing goals for medical and psychiatric problems as well as documenting the nursing admission note.
• Conducts TB Surveillance on all individuals, administers TB Mantoux test as indicated and provides TB education. (The RN reads all PPD’s). Ensures PPD information is obtained from outside agencies as appropriate.
• Orders, receives and stores medication from pharmacy in accordance with policy. Supervises self- administration of the individual’s medication and provides medication education to them. Completes all documentation relating to medication to the individuals. Completes all documentation, including the Medication Self-Administration Record; obtains the individual’s signature/initials and documents that the person understands medication risks and benefits.
• In conjunction with interdisciplinary team, ensures discharging individuals receive all medication. In the event the individual fails to receive medication at discharge, will assume responsibility to contact that person or make arrangements to bring to other agency as appropriate.
• Assumes responsibility to log and prepare all unclaimed medications for proper disposal according to Supervised Self-Administration of Medication policy.
• Understands and adheres to proper documentation of controlled substances, including count and administration.
• Observes and monitors the individuals to determine signs and symptoms of withdrawal and other moods and behaviors. Provides and documents general nursing care. Facilitates transition to alternate level of care as appropriate.
• In conjunction with interdisciplinary team, ensures unit rounds are completed and documented accordingly on the Rounds Sheet.
• In conjunction with interdisciplinary team, includes documentation pertaining to medications and other medically related information in the electronic Discharge Summary.
• Provides individual health education as needed and develops and facilitates educational health topics for group meetings.
• Provides appropriate documentation regarding charts and correspondence.
• Participates with audits for medication errors and other chart audits as assigned.
• Reports any unit medication stock or supplies that are needed to Supervisor.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings.
• Ensures all required in-services/trainings and certifications are up to date.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and nursing professionalism at all times.
• Responsible for ensuring timely reporting of work-related injuries, via…