Behavioral Health Nurse Specialist - Center for Interventional Psychiatry

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

31d

About The Position

Western Psychiatric Hospital is hiring a Behavioral Health Nurse Specialist to support the Center for Interventional Psychiatry department! The Center for Interventional Psychiatry (CIP) is seeking a full-time Behavioral Health Nurse Specialist to support its continued growth and expansion. This position offers a variable day/evening schedule, Monday through Friday, 8-hour shifts. The Behavioral Health Nurse Specialist will provide coverage across all current services and future program expansions within the Center for Interventional Psychiatry. Variable start times range from 6am - 2:30pm, 7am - 3:30pm, 8am - 4:30pm, and 9am - 5:30pm based upon departmental needs and case load. BSNs or those enrolled in a BSN program are preferred. Prior psychiatric experience preferred.

Requirements

BSN preferred.
Zero to two years of experience.
The individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact appropriately to the ages of the patients served by his/her assigned unit as specified below.
They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs and to provide the care needs as described in the department policy and procedures.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, caring relationships with executives, managers, physicians, non-physician providers, ancillary and support staff, other departments, and patients/families.
Ability to work productively and effectively within a complex environment, handle multiple/changing priorities and specialized equipment.
Good clinical judgment with critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving abilities required as related to various aspects of patient care.
Critical thinking skills necessary to exercise and to lead others in application of the nursing process.
Mobility and visual manual dexterity.
Physical stamina for frequent walking, standing, lifting and positioning of patients.
UPMC approved national certification preferred.
Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse either in the state where the facility is located or in a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the state where the facility is located.
CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
Graduate nurses must complete licensure examination within SIX MONTHS of hire or within one year of graduation, whichever comes first. Though temporary permits are valid for one year from the date of graduation, not one year from issue of permit (or until the results of the examination are known at which time it becomes null and void), UPMC requires that GNs take the licensure examination within 6 months of their start date or they will be terminated or demoted from the GN position, at the discretion of the BU.
CCM upon hire and renew annually before expiration date.
Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
Registered Nurse (RN) OR Temporary Practice Permit (TPP)
Act 33 with renewal
Act 34 with renewal
Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.

Nice To Haves

BSNs or those enrolled in a BSN program are preferred.
Prior psychiatric experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care.
Actively participates in shared governance, goal setting and supports the change and transition process to improve quality of care and the practice environment.
Serves as a highly engaged and full partner on the care team and responds willingly to care team member needs for assistance and partnership.
Participates in work that improves patient care and the professional practice environment.
Adapts to change and demonstrates flexibility with the change process.
Applies the nursing process within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a healing environment.
Formulates daily goals and a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner.
Practices solid communication skills and can articulate and translate the patient's condition to other care providers and to negotiate and make recommendations for changes in patient care and management.
Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers. Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system's goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction.
Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning principles (and/or teaching children if applicable) and applies in teaching of patients, families, students and new staff.
Provides detailed and appropriate teaching to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home.
Supports the development of students, new staff and colleagues.
Creates an environment of open dialogue, inquiry and continuous development by asking for feedback and improving practice.
Actively participates in department or quality improvement efforts. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management.
Identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest, discusses opportunities for quality improvement at multidisciplinary rounds, and influences patients' plans of care.
Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues.
Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy relationships. Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life.
Models safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyle.
Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
Nurse is beginning to show advanced knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses and be able to differentiate diagnosis on assigned patients.
Monitors psychiatric, medical, psychosocial status of assigned team.
Provides patient/family education around psychiatric medication/diagnosis as needed.
Provides routinely scheduled staff education on clinical issues.
Participate as an integral professional member of a multidisciplinary team.
Assist with coordinating plan of care and discharge/transfer as needed.
Participates in patient rounding/patient consults.
Monitors and tracks commitment status and collaborates with others.
Has knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and able to differentiate diagnosis on assigned patients in collaboration with psychiatrist.
Initiates or reviews admission paperwork of all assigned patient and collaborates with the team.
Works with team and pharmacy to acquire medication prior authorization as needed.
Attend family meetings and interacts with families, as needed.
Reviews medical H & P, progress notes and summarize medical course.
Performs psychiatric review of symptoms.
Completes and reviews medical reconciliation.
Obtains collateral information from families and team.
Assess for medication side effects ongoing which may include EPS, NMS, Serotonin Syndrome, Lithium toxicity, etc.
Completes Drug and Alcohol inventory and assesses for any withdrawal symptoms.
Reviews labs and documents any remarkable significant results.
Completes physical exam as needed assessing for any abnormal movements, rigidity, cog-wheeling, weakness, gait problems.
Completes suicide and homicide risk assessments.
Summarizes cases and pulls together findings in impression including suicide lethality assessment / reassessment.
Offer preliminary recommendations especially re: any immediate safety needs and notification of appropriate staff.
Communicates pertinent results to the psychiatrist.
Checks for resolution/worsening of any identified problems i.e. delirium.
Completes follow-up visits as needed and clinically appropriate.
Assists with facilitating transfers as needed.