Behavioral Health Nurse

Adoration Health•Cookeville, TN

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Nurse is a licensed professional who provides direct and indirect patient care in patients’ homes or other settings, following organizational policies and procedures. The nurse assesses patients and develops plans of care in collaboration with physicians, provides ordered nursing interventions, and teaches and supports patients and caregivers in building the skills needed to live independently at home. The role also supervises Licensed Practical Nurses and Home Health Aides when they are involved in the plan of care, and may assist with community education and marketing activities when requested. The nurse provides psychiatric and general nursing care, including medication management and education, crisis assessment, psychotherapy and psychoeducation within the nurse’s education and licensure, care coordination, case management, and ongoing evaluation of the patient’s care plan. The position requires accurate and timely documentation, compliance with applicable requirements, infection-control practices, and participation in staff development and agency quality-improvement activities. After-hours coverage, including weekends and holidays, may be requested when needed to meet patient needs.

Requirements

Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.
Current CPR certification.
Must hold a valid license in the state of practice and in the state of residence.
One qualifying education and experience pathway is required: an RN with a master’s degree in psychiatric or mental health nursing, licensed in the state of practice, with recent nursing experience in a specified psychiatric care setting.
Alternatively, an RN with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, licensed in the state of practice, must have at least 1 year of recent nursing experience in a specified psychiatric care setting.
Alternatively, an RN with a diploma or associate degree in nursing, licensed in the state of practice, must have at least 2 years of recent nursing experience in a specified psychiatric care setting.
Qualifying psychiatric care settings include an acute treatment unit in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric home care, a psychiatric partial hospitalization program, or other outpatient psychiatric services. Recent experience is recommended to be within the last 3 years.
Demonstrate basic clinical competencies.
Maintain professional appearance and conduct.
Operate computer systems and learn industry-specific software.
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Organize tasks and manage time with attention to detail.
Collaborate effectively in team environments.
Apply critical thinking to solve complex problems.
Complete required orientation and training objectives.

Responsibilities

Conduct initial assessment visits and assist in developing patient plans of care in coordination with the patient’s physician or allowed practitioner and the Clinical Manager.
Manage medical illness according to the plan of care and perform psycho-biological interventions.
Conduct comprehensive medication reviews and ensure patients and caregivers receive information about medication regimens, including frequency, duration, use, side effects, indications, and contraindications.
Educate patients and families about medication administration, actions, and side effects, and provide written materials.
Evaluate, teach, and review medications and compliance; administer intramuscular or intravenous medications.
Manage situational or other crises, assess potential self-harm or harm to others, and refer to treating physicians as necessary.
Teach and train patients, families, and caregivers to manage treatment regimens, self-care, mental and physical well-being, independence, and patient rights.
Promote and encourage a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and caregivers.
Provide supportive counseling, psychotherapy, and psychotherapeutic interventions within the nurse’s education and licensure.
Provide psychoeducation on disease processes, symptoms, safety management, coping skills, and problem solving.
Evaluate and manage the patient’s care plan on an ongoing basis.
Provide counseling services or coordinate with a social worker to ensure counseling services are provided.
Document evaluation, psychotherapy, and teaching activities as required for patients with diagnosed psychiatric disorders who need active treatment by a psychiatrically trained nurse.
Provide physician-ordered general nursing interventions, including phlebotomy, wound care, infusion, ostomy care, catheter care, and other skilled interventions.
Provide case management, communicate with other disciplines, and coordinate care to enhance patient outcomes.
Monitor patient conditions and report changes to the Clinical Manager and the patient’s physician or allowed practitioner when indicated.
Obtain, document, and execute orders from the patient’s physician or allowed practitioner.
Ensure compliance with state, local, and payer requirements and that documentation reflects care provided and meets company, regulatory, and payer standards; complete documentation within required timeframes.
Participate in after-hours coverage, including weekends and holidays, when requested and necessary to meet patient needs.
Supervise care provided by Licensed Practical Nurses and Home Health Aides when indicated.
Maintain universal precautions and infection-control standards to prevent transmission of infections and communicable diseases.
Disinfect, sanitize, and transport patient-care equipment and supplies appropriately, and use proper medical-waste disposal techniques.
Report incidents according to agency policy and regulatory standards.
Provide professional guidance to referral sources and internal operational staff to support patient and referral-source satisfaction.
Assist with staff development and provide one-on-one clinical training to field RNs and LPNs during home visits.
Collaborate with the Clinical Manager, Branch Director, and/or Administrator to ensure ongoing staff competencies.
Educate referral sources about agency services by providing in-services when requested.
When requested, grow market share and established accounts and identify and develop new referral sources through prospecting, lead generation, and sales calls within an assigned territory.
Attend and participate in staff meetings, patient care conferences, in-services, and other meetings as requested.
Participate in the agency’s QAPI program by communicating identified problem areas and recommendations, attending periodic QAPI meetings, and participating in performance-improvement projects as requested.
Maintain confidentiality of patient-related information and honor patient rights.
Perform other duties as assigned and within scope of practice.