Assessment & Referral Registered Nurse (Santa Rosa)

Northern California Behavioral Health System•Santa Rosa, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Santa Rosa Behavioral Healthcare Hospital (SRBHH), formerly Aurora Santa Rosa Hospital, opened in 2016 and is a key part of the mental health system in Northern California. Located in the North Bay, SRBHH has 144 acute psychiatric inpatient beds and serves adolescents and adults with mental health conditions and co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse issues. The Assessment & Referral Registered Nurse is crucial for performing accurate assessments of incoming admissions to ensure high-quality, safe care during the intake process. This role involves managing patients from referral to unit transfer, assessing their needs via various communication channels to ensure the appropriate level of care according to EMTALA guidelines. The nurse must utilize knowledge of facility policies, exclusionary criteria, and capabilities to accept patients, conduct in-person assessments, obtain physician orders, and determine the correct unit assignment. The role requires adherence to SRBHH's mission, vision, and values, as well as all hospital policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. The Registered Nurse also maintains knowledge of and participates in training regarding occupational health hazards, such as bloodborne pathogen exposures.

Requirements

Current Registered Nurse in the state of California
One year of nursing experience or more required
Inpatient experience preferred
Familiarity with continuum of care and clinical terminology
Knowledge of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnostic criteria
Current CPR certificate or obtained during initial orientation period
Verbal de-escalation and physical intervention program as approved by the CNO
Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
Knowledgeable of patient rights and laws pertaining to mental health
Assessment and intervention skills
Persuasive manner and skills in overcoming denial and resistance to treatment
Ability to concentrate on task in high traffic areas
Ability to deal with crisis and potentially combative patients while maintaining personal and emotional equilibrium
Sensitivity to, and willingness to, interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds
Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills
Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively as well as possessing the skills to lead, influence, and motivate others
Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization
Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer
Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time
Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population
Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy
Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information
Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
Reach forward, up, down, and to the side
Walk, push, pull, lift, carry objects from a lower to higher position or horizontally from position to position or otherwise move objects
Feel sizes, shapes, temperatures, and textures by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips
Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day
Express or exchange ideas orally and potentially loudly, accurately, or quickly
Perceive the nature of sound with no less than a 40 db loss @ 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz with or without correction
Exert up to 100 lbs of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs of force frequently
Able to provide manual restraints for patients who are physically acting out and are potentially dangerous (at times this occurs on the floor.)
Minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction

Responsibilities

Respond to telephone and face-to-face inquiries from individuals seeking mental health care or information about mental health services.
Collect and analyze data regarding the patient's physical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational, spiritual, cultural, and anticipated discharge needs through systematic interaction with patients, significant others, and healthcare providers.
Determine patient's alcohol or drug toxicity, identify signs of withdrawal, and conduct screenings or assessments to determine treatment needs.
Render competent and timely care and treatment based on current chemical dependency and psychiatric nursing/clinical knowledge and standards, evaluating and revising the plan of care as needed.
Facilitate the patient's access to the appropriate level of care and setting.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patient services counselors and coordinators, intake department, physicians, health professional affiliates, healthcare facilities, and nursing staff.
Assess client's crisis and clinical indicators via phone and in-person, documenting findings and scheduling assessments as clinically appropriate.
Prepare written reports of assessment results promptly, including recommendations for the level of care and treatment needs.
Make appropriate interventions during assessments and crisis situations with clients, family/friends, and other professional staff.
Assess the need for involuntary hospitalization evaluation and contact county crisis teams, law enforcement, or 5150 Certified employees as needed to ensure client and public safety.
Enter data from calls and Intake Assessments into the computer system in a timely manner.
Assist clients not admitted into a program with follow-through of clinical referrals and recommendations.
Provide pertinent clinical information to physicians and program staff for patient review to ensure a smooth transition.
Distribute documentation of admissions to the Business Office, Admitting Unit, and Utilization Review Department.
Maintain knowledge of developmental tasks and sociological theories of pertinent age groups.
Maintain knowledge of legal guidelines pertaining to EMTALA/COBRA and abuse/neglect reporting.
Communicate with managed care organizations to obtain insurance pre-authorizations in a timely manner.
Stay up-to-date with the organization's programs and services.
Participate in activities that enhance professional growth and development.
Uphold the Organization’s ethics and customer service standards.
Cross-train as an Inpatient Registered Nurse and perform all assigned duties, including assessing inpatient status, providing direct care, documenting patient care and assessments, preparing and administering medications, and completing documentation and/or treatment plans.
Provide clinical summary information to other team members at treatment team meetings, shift reports, and other hand-offs.
Provide continual oversight of all inpatients and inpatient psychiatric unit operations.
Assess, collect data, define problems, set goals, initiate interventions, and evaluate interventions.
Provide patient care by demonstrating knowledge of mental health diagnosis, standard of care, evidence-based practice, high risks for mental health patients, National Patient Safety Goals, and models of care.