Behavioral Health Nurse

BrightSpring Health Services•Decatur, AL

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Nurse is a licensed professional who provides direct and indirect patient care in patients’ homes or other settings. The nurse assesses patients and develops plans of care in collaboration with physicians and the Clinical Manager, provides ordered nursing interventions, and teaches and supports patients and caregivers in managing care and living independently. The role also supervises Licensed Practical Nurses and Home Health Aides when they are involved in a patient’s plan of care, and may assist with community education and marketing activities when requested. The position provides behavioral and general nursing care, including medication management and education, psychoeducation, supportive counseling and psychotherapeutic interventions within the nurse’s education and licensure. It includes crisis management and risk assessment, case management and coordination with other care disciplines, patient and caregiver instruction, documentation, staff training, and participation in quality improvement activities. The nurse may also support referral-source education and business development when requested.

Requirements

Be a Registered Nurse licensed in the state where practicing and residing.
Qualify through one of the stated education and experience pathways: a master’s degree with a psychiatric or mental health nursing specialty and the specified psychiatric nursing experience; a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least 1 year of recent psychiatric nursing experience; or a nursing diploma or associate degree and at least 2 years of recent psychiatric nursing experience. The listed experience is recommended to be within the last 3 years and in an acute psychiatric treatment unit, psychiatric home care, psychiatric partial hospitalization program, or other outpatient psychiatric services.
Have current CPR certification.
Have basic clinical skills.
Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
Have general computer knowledge and the ability to learn industry-specific software applications.
Demonstrate excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Have excellent organizational and time-management skills and keen attention to detail.
Work effectively in a team environment.
Be able to develop critical-thinking skills, research situations, solve complex problems, and deal with a variety of issues.
Be able to learn and complete educational goals during orientation.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of 2 years of home health experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct initial patient assessments and help develop plans of care in coordination with the patient’s physician or allowed practitioner and Clinical Manager.
Manage medical illness according to the plan of care and perform psychobiological interventions.
Review medications comprehensively; educate patients and caregivers about medication regimens, administration, actions, side effects, indications, and contraindications; evaluate medication compliance; and administer IM or IV medication.
Manage crises, assess potential self-harm or harm to others, and refer concerns to treating physicians as necessary.
Teach patients, families, and caregivers to manage treatment regimens, practice self-care, promote mental and physical well-being and independence, and understand patient rights.
Promote a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and caregivers.
Provide supportive counseling, psychotherapy, psychotherapeutic interventions, and psychoeducation within the scope of education and licensure.
Evaluate and manage patient care plans on an ongoing basis; provide counseling or coordinate with a social worker to ensure counseling is available.
Document evaluation, psychotherapy, and teaching activities in accordance with coverage guidelines and applicable standards.
Provide ordered general nursing interventions, including phlebotomy, wound care, infusion, ostomy care, and catheter care.
Manage cases to enhance patient outcomes and coordinate care with other disciplines.
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.
Meet state, local, payer, company, and regulatory requirements; ensure documentation reflects care provided and is completed within required timeframes.
Participate in after-hours coverage, including weekends and holidays, when necessary and requested.
Supervise care provided by Licensed Practical Nurses and Home Health Aides when indicated.
Follow universal precautions and infection-control standards; 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.
Support 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 through in-services when requested.
When requested, help grow market share and develop referral sources through account development, prospecting, lead generation, and sales calls within an assigned territory.
Attend and participate in staff meetings, patient-care conferences, in-services, and other requested meetings.
Participate in the agency’s QAPI program by communicating identified problem areas and recommendations, attending periodic QAPI meetings, and contributing to 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.