Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Nurse

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Nurse provides direct nursing care to Emergency Department (ED) patients presenting with psychiatric diagnoses, substance abuse issues, and/or chronic or acute medical issues. The role supports patient stabilization, discharge, and hospitalization needs while addressing the challenges associated with long ED stays. The nurse works on an assigned 12-hour shift with Psychiatric Hospital Assistants, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and ED staff, using nursing assessments and interventions within the applicable scope of practice and current clinical knowledge of psychiatric and medical illnesses. The nurse is responsible for Code 100s and Code 99s, evaluating and documenting intervention results, taking nursing histories from patients and/or others, developing and evaluating nursing care plans, and teaching patients and families about illness and symptom management. The Behavioral Health Nurse works closely with the ED Nurse, who remains responsible for the psychiatric patient until medical clearance and/or transfer. Care is provided in the Emergency Department, with collaboration across ED staff, providers, pharmacists, social services, case management, substance abuse counseling, security, law enforcement, and EMS agencies. The position requires maintaining the knowledge and abilities essential to the assigned duties and carrying out legal responsibilities within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act. Overall work performance is accountable to the NURSE SVC SUPV 2. The position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations. A preliminary job offer and assignment may be extended pending successful background clearance.

Requirements

At least one year of recent acute care/inpatient hospital experience.
At least six months of recent psychiatric experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
Ability to lift more than 50 pounds and bend and twist; this is not a sedentary position.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability.
Knowledge and abilities essential to successful performance of the assigned duties.
Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
Legal requirements to practice as a Registered Nurse as determined by the California Board of Registered Nurses, including a California RN License.
Current BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification.
Active American Heart Association CPR certification.
Active Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Active Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training.
Experience with an electronic health record in a healthcare setting.
Knowledge of California Mental Health Holds (LPS).
BSN.

Responsibilities

Provide direct nursing care to ED patients with psychiatric diagnoses, substance abuse issues, and/or chronic or acute medical issues.
Work an assigned 12-hour shift with Psychiatric Hospital Assistants, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and ED staff.
Apply nursing assessments and interventions within the scope of practice, using current clinical knowledge of psychiatric and medical illnesses.
Respond to Code 100s and Code 99s.
Evaluate and document the results of interventions for the assigned patient population.
Take nursing histories from patients and/or others to identify common variables affecting care.
Write and evaluate nursing care plans.
Teach patients and families about illness and symptom management.
Work closely with the ED Nurse responsible for the psychiatric patient until medical clearance and/or transfer has been achieved.
Collaborate with ED staff and other involved clinical, support, security, law enforcement, and EMS personnel.
Maintain the knowledge and abilities essential to the performance of assigned duties.
Carry out legal responsibilities within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act.
Orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations as needed.