Behavioral Health Nurse

Behavioral Health Nurse

The Behavioral Health Nurse is a licensed professional who provides direct and indirect patient care services to patients in their home environment or alternative setting according to the organization's policies and procedures; assesses patients and develops a plan of care in collaboration with the physician; provides nursing interventions (including phlebotomy, wound care, infusion, ostomy, catheter care and other skilled interventions) as ordered by the physician;

instructs, motivates, and assists patients and/or caregivers in learning and improving the ability to live independently at home; and supervises and directs the efforts of the Licensed Practical Nurse and Home Health Aides when involved in the patient plan of care. Assists with community education and marketing activities, when requested.

Responsibilities include making initial assessment visits, managing medical illness, conducting comprehensive medication reviews, providing education to patients and families, evaluating and reviewing medications and compliance, administering intramuscular or intravenous medication, managing crises, providing teaching and training activities, promoting a safe and therapeutic environment, providing supportive counseling psychotherapy and psycho-therapeutic interventions, providing psychoeducation, providing ongoing evaluation and management of the patient's care plan, providing counseling services or coordinating with a social worker, ensuring appropriate documentation, providing general nursing interventions, providing all aspects of case management, monitoring the patient's condition, obtaining and executing orders from the patient's physician, ensuring compliance with state/local/payer requirements, participating with after-hours coverage, providing supervision of care, maintaining universal precautions and infection control standards, appropriately disinfecting/sanitizing/transporting equipment and supplies, reporting all incidents, providing professional guidance, assisting with staff development, collaborating with the Clinical Manager, Branch Director, and/or Administrator, meeting with and educating referral sources, increasing market share, attending and participating in staff meetings, participating in the agency's QAPI program, maintaining confidentiality, and other duties as assigned and within scope of practice.

Qualifications include being a Registered Nurse (RN) with a master's degree with a specialty in psychiatric or mental health nursing and licensed in the state where practicing, having nursing experience in an acute treatment unit in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric home care, psychiatric partial hospitalization program or other outpatient psychiatric services, having a bachelor's degree in nursing and licensed in the state where practicing, having 1 year of recent nursing experience in an acute treatment unit in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric home care, psychiatric partial hospitalization program or other outpatient psychiatric services, having a Diploma or Associate degree in nursing and licensed in the state where practicing, having 2 years of recent nursing experience in an acute treatment unit in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric home care, psychiatric partial hospitalization program or other outpatient psychiatric services, having a minimum of 2 years of home health experience preferred, having current CPR certification, having basic clinical skills, having professional appearance and demeanor, having general knowledge of computers and the ability to learn industry specific software applications, having excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, having excellent organizational and time management skills with a keen attention to details, having ability to work effectively in a team environment, having ability to develop critical thinking skills, research situations, solve complex problems and deal with a variety of issues, and having ability to learn and complete various educational goals during orientation.