Psychiatric Liaison Nurse

Detailed Overview

In accordance with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) standards of practice and the Mission and Values of Fraser Health, and working collaboratively and in partnership with the interprofessional care team in the provision of person-centered and recovery oriented care the Psychiatric Liaison Nurse performs intake assessment, offers crisis intervention, and provides input into the care of psychiatric and concurrent disordered patients in the Emergency Department.

Provides input into the care of psychiatric patients awaiting transfer for further assessment or inpatient admission. Assists with ensuring effective patient flow for assessed patients through collaboration with Emergency Department nurses, other emergency service providers, the interprofessional community mental health and substance use team and other community service providers. Assists in adapting care plans to address psychiatric needs, with final dispositions authorized by the Emergency Room physicians or consulting Psychiatrist.

The Psychiatric Liaison Nurse works in close association with the interprofessional community mental health team, agencies and other community service providers. May provide short term follow-up treatment and case management services at the Mental Health Centre for adults treated in the Emergency Department. Responsibilities Screens psychiatric referrals from a variety of internal and external sources, gathers background information and determines service priorities.

Works with Emergency Department staff in the identification of potential psychiatric referrals. Performs psychosocial assessments and collects collateral related to patients' primary support group, social environment, occupation, education, housing, finance, health service access, and legal problems. Completes emergency psychiatry patient assessments for patients triaged to psychiatry. Develops care plans with final dispositions authorized by the Emergency Room Physician or consulting psychiatrist and provides general and crisis counselling to patients and their families including short term crisis follow-up in accordance with approved treatment plans.

May provide short-term follow-up treatment and case management services at the Mental Health Centre for adults treated in the Emergency Department. Communicates and consults with Coordinators and other members of the interprofessional mental health and substance use team on patient care issues, resources and discharge planning; organizes and participates in interprofessional conferences; engages patients and their family in plan of care and refers patients to other services as required.

Provides patient advocacy services with other agencies, services and service providers. Documents assessments, care plan, observations, interventions, patient/family responses, outcomes/evaluations, and referrals according to practice standards and Fraser Health procedures. Completes and maintains electronic Psychiatric Liaison Contact Sheets before the end of each shift or within the designated and hours of work. Participates in patient care conferences of admitted psychiatric patients as required to ensure appropriate discharge planning and linkages to appropriate community mental health services.

Liaises with appropriate departments and professionals and facilitates transition to aftercare by sharing emergency treatment outcomes and care plans with Mental Health & Substance Use staff. Acts as patient advocate by assisting patients and their family members to access appropriate community resources. Provides guidance to hospital staff involved in caring for psychiatric patients and provides input for team members actively involved in violence de-escalation, suicide prevention, seclusion, and restraint practices.

Ensures safe patient management and adherence to restraint policies and procedures. Participates in quality improvement activities by identifying patient care issues, collecting data, and identifying needs and recommendations for corrective action and changes to practices, procedures or protocols. Provides input to the Managers regarding policies,…