Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Unit​/Req

Overview

Professional Registered Nurse working in the Mental Health Department will be oriented to the Standards of Professional Practice during the initial orientation phase. Under the direction of the Director of Mental Health Services, the nurse is accountable and responsible for the psychiatric nursing care of patients within the department, guided by policies and procedures of the Medical Center.

• Provide a safe environment and protect the patient from untoward events; work as part of Nursing Services.
• Safety: ensure each patient is wearing the correct hospital name band for positive identification prior to initiating treatment, medications, and procedures; observe for signs of intolerance to medications and report Adverse Drug Reactions to Pharmacy as policy dictates; apply restraints or place in seclusion as per policy when necessary for patient safety; complete face-to-face assessment and documentation of patients in restraints and/or seclusion within one hour.
• Quality of Care: complete firearm assessment during admission; assess Emergency Department patients for possible admission to the Mental Health Department and complete required paperwork; perform assessments and evaluations as needed; lead group sessions; participate in Performance Improvement Teams/Committees; provide patient education and document teaching on hospital forms; review and update plans of care and document revisions; ensure appropriate documentation in the Health Information System;
  
  pursue LPS certification when eligible; contribute to performance goals; provide shift hand-off, 24-hour chart check, Suicide Risk Assessment, and manage patient care activities per shift; apply evidence-based practice, discharge planning, and Performance Improvement initiatives; incorporate patient and family perspectives into quality activities.
• Individual Practice Evaluation: reflect knowledge of current professional standards, laws, and regulations; self-assess regularly; seek/reflect on feedback from patients, families, and healthcare teams; act to achieve performance goals.
• Collegiality: share knowledge and provide constructive feedback to peers; interact with colleagues to enhance nursing practice; contribute to a learning environment supportive of healthcare education; promote an effective team environment.
• Ethics: practice guided by ethical principles and professional codes; maintain patient confidentiality; advocate for patients; deliver nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory care honoring patient diversity, autonomy, dignity, and rights; use available resources to inform ethical decisions.
• Collaboration:
  
  communicate with the team and patient/family about care; formulate care plans with the team; initiate referrals to promote continuity of care.
• Research: question and evaluate practice; utilize best available evidence; participate in clinical inquiry appropriate to level of expertise.
• Resource Utilization: evaluate safety, effectiveness, availability, and cost when choosing among options; assist patients and families in identifying services; delegate care within scope of practice; inform patients and families about costs, risks, and benefits.
• Back-Up/Relief/Charge Nurse: demonstrate knowledge of mental disorders; serve as a role model; keep the Director informed; support AVMC mission, vision, and values; manage admissions/transfers/discharges; supervise care provided by other staff; ensure staffing per the department plan; assign shifts; liaise with medical staff; reassess patients; address patient/family satisfaction; document communications and reports; manage patient acuity/staffing variance; submit shift-end reports.
• Non-Essential Duties: supervise supplies and equipment use; orient new employees; perform other duties as assigned.

• Meets all required knowledge, skills, and abilities of a Registered Nurse for Nursing Services.
• Knowledge of legal aspects of psychiatric/mental health nursing.
• Ability to write 5150 involuntary detention applications (as required); ability to countersign 14-day and 30-day holds (as required).

• Meets all required education and experience for a Registered Nurse; ADN or BSN preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years recent inpatient mental health experience preferred; designation to write involuntary detentions (5150s) after initiation period with re-designation every three years per LA County DMH rules.

• Registered Nurse licensure and certifications as required; restraint certification within 6 months of hire and recertification annually;
  Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certification within 6 months of hire and recertification annually;
  Biannual CPR/BLS certification.

• Patients Come First;
  Accountability & Ownership;
  Teamwork;
  Integrity & Honesty;
  Excellence;
  Initiative & Innovation;
  Tenderness & Compassion.

• Work in the Mental Health Services Department; may assist in physical…