Behavioral Health RN - $10,000 Hiring Bonus

Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority•Cherokee, NC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent performs nursing procedures for patients of all ages independently within the framework of established policy within the behavioral health department. The registered nurse is a licensed professional nurse responsible for assessment of patients, development, implementation, and evaluation of a patient plan of care; administration of therapeutic measures; teaching and counseling of patients and families; and participating in the development of nursing policies and procedures and quality assurance standards. The registered nurse is responsible for the delivery of comprehensive health care to patients of all ages, utilizing standards of care and practice, policies, protocols, and procedures. The purpose of the work is to perform the full range of the nursing process from assessment to evaluation. The work affects the physical and psychosocial well-being of the patients and their families.

Requirements

Associate's degree in nursing from an accredited program required.
Valid registered nurse license within the state of North Carolina.
Current basic life support (BLS) required.
Must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
Knowledge of principles, practices, techniques, and theories of professional nursing in order to plan and provide nursing care to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and socio-cultural needs of all patient age groups from pediatric to geriatric.
Knowledge of the nursing process and its application to clinical practice.
Knowledge of the biological aspects of the disease process and illness in order to recognize complications and therapeutic interventions required.
Knowledge of medications and dosages in order to recognize desired effects, side effects, and complications of their use.
Knowledge and ability to analyze the results of various medical procedures and translate them into appropriate nursing interventions.
Knowledge and ability to independently plan, manage, and organize work in order to meet priorities, accomplish work within established time frames, and work in stressful situations.
Knowledge of the occupational functions of a multi-disciplinary health care team.
Knowledge of the culture and medical health profile of the patient population.
Knowledge and ability to teach and counsel patients/family on health maintenance and disease prevention.
Knowledge of available health care programs and community resources.
Knowledge of processes and procedures for establishing, revising, continually monitoring, and evaluating standards for the practice of nursing.
Knowledge and skills in operating specialized medical equipment, such as monitoring devices, suction pumps, oxygen equipment, etc.
Knowledge of problem-oriented medical record methods.
Knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of nursing.
Flexibility and the ability to lead team members who possess a variety of personalities.
Ability to always maintain a high level of integrity, poise, and control.
Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to patient conditions that deviate from normal and identify, analyze, and report on causative factors and reactions.
Ability to differentiate and prioritize many tasks at once.
Tact, courtesy, and professional conduct are required to maintain positive working relationships.
Utmost sensitivity and confidentiality is required when dealing with patients and families.
Must comply with employee health program guidelines, including current immunization status of identified communicable diseases, and safety precautions are sometimes necessary, such as use of personal protective equipment as required by hospital policy.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program preferred.
Two years of nursing experience preferred.
Proficiency is rated at 2 years for a new graduate to reach the journeyman’s level.

Responsibilities

Assisting in all outpatient behavioral health nursing clinics (MAT, OTP, Detention Center dosing, psychiatric clinic) and assisting with screening and labs as needed.
May be asked to change work schedule to assist in covering daily dosing and/or MAT clinic.
Ensuring care provided meets facility, national, and regulatory quality indicators.
Utilizing best practice models to identify, share, and establish best practices for health promotion and disease prevention strategies for behavioral health, including psychiatry medication management, buprenorphine and Methadone clinics.
Reviewing patient health records and health summaries, interviewing patients and family members, documenting chief complaints, medical history, physical and clinical findings, identifying learning needs of the patient and family, and determining priority of care required. Assessment for health prevention, health promotion, restorative, and health maintenance needs is emphasized.
Collecting data from observations such as appearance, physical and psychological function, behavior, lab values, vital signs, and speaking with relevant sources regarding biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors that might influence and impact the health status of the individual.
Assessing patient needs using established clinical guidelines, SAMHSA guidelines, protocols, and pathways.
Using correct screening tools to determine care needs (e.g., PHQ-9, Columbia Scale, COWS).
Developing, implementing, and evaluating individualized patient care plans with input from the patient, patient’s family, therapists, case managers, and others requested by the patient, with specific attention to “high risk” patients.
Developing expected patient outcomes that are observable, within an adequate time frame, and congruent with the patient’s present and potential physical capabilities and behavioral patterns.
Providing patient education, advice, and information on health assessment, disease processes, medications, treatment plans, and available community resources.
Documenting all patient education activities within the patient's/family’s level of understanding.
Discussing factors that might influence the patient’s health status with the MAT team, including providers and therapy.
Contacting patients for random drug screens, pill and bottle counts as indicated.
Responding to phone calls regarding medication questions and refill requests.
Sending orders requests to the physician when appropriate and contacting the physician with any questions or concerns.
Working to ensure effective utilization of resources through efficient scheduling and patient management practices.
Performing nursing interventions, including detecting changes in patient condition and taking appropriate action.
Recognizing, identifying, and interpreting serious situations and immediately deciding proper action.
Initiating appropriate resuscitative measures in an emergency situation, such as administering Narcan.
Initiating appropriate action when safety measures are required to protect patients.
Documenting observations, nursing interventions, patient progress, needs, treatments, diagnoses, possible side effects of treatment, teaching, patient response, effectiveness, complications, and communicating information to the physician, co-workers, and other health personnel.
Administering and documenting medications per manufacturer guidelines, hospital policy, SAMHSA guidelines, and established protocols, and according to state board of nursing regulations. Documenting all known drug allergies in the medical record and according to protocol.
Assuring that all medications, treatments, and tests are done appropriately and in a timely manner, detecting, and reporting medication errors.
Assuring that proper Methadone inventory is kept per policy and SAMHSA guidelines.
Providing guidance, leadership, and training to other nursing personnel and behavioral health MAT support staff.
Maintaining a safe environment through the practice of universal precautions and body substance isolation, medical waste/chemical management, and containment. Isolating infected patients. Cleaning patient contact areas and equipment according to policies and OSHA regulations.
Specimen collection.
Participating in the development and implementation of performance improvement activities. Identifying and reporting risk management issues.
Assuming responsibility for the adequacy and appropriateness of supplies and ensuring proper functioning of all medical equipment. Maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of work areas.
Promoting patient advocacy and confidentiality.
Serving on committees as appointed.
Maintaining and promoting positive and constructive communications and activities within nursing services, other departments, tribal, and community agencies, such as syringe services for the purposes of coordinating and understanding goals and objectives relevant to the population served.
Functioning appropriately during disasters.
Updating and maintaining currency/competency in nursing practices and standards by attending training and in-services.
Documenting nursing care and patient progress according to hospital policy.
Participating in ongoing nursing quality assurance program.
Working when administrative leave is granted if patient care would be compromised.
Performing other duties as assigned.