Behavioral Health RN

Mount Nittany Health•State College, PA

About The Position

Provides direct professional nursing care to patients by assessing their needs and planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. The RN applies sound nursing theory, protects patient confidentiality, collects and assesses comprehensive patient data, develops individualized nursing and treatment plans, and implements interventions to promote, maintain, or restore physical and mental health. The role includes supporting patients and families through health teaching, medication education, and goal-directed use of activities of daily living, while maintaining a safe environment. The RN may perform Charge Nurse duties when assigned, including coordinating unit staffing and activities, delegating and following up on tasks, leading treatment-team coordination, and collaborating with staff during emergencies. The position also conducts mental health evaluations in the emergency room, completes insurance authorization and concurrent reviews as needed, assists with employee orientation, and works with Behavioral Health colleagues and other Medical Center departments to meet patients’ needs. The RN receives general supervision from the Manager Behavioral Health and Charge Nurse. When assigned Charge Nurse duty, the RN supervises Behavioral Health Unit staff. A baccalaureate degree in Nursing and one year of full-time psychiatric nursing experience or employment in a Behavioral Health program are preferred. A current Pennsylvania nursing license and current Healthcare Provider BLS certification are required.

Requirements

Hold a current license to practice professional nursing in Pennsylvania.
Meet the American Heart Association’s Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) standards and renew BLS every two years.
Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others.
Present oneself in a professional and supportive manner.
Complete the Take Charge course before assuming any Charge Nurse duties.
Be proficient at a minimum in the use of oxygen equipment, suction equipment, saline locks, Foley and straight catheters, an Ambu bag, and enema equipment, and in accessing resources to obtain information for nursing procedures.

Nice To Haves

Baccalaureate degree in Nursing preferred.
At least one year of full-time experience in psychiatric nursing or employment in a Behavioral Health program preferred.

Responsibilities

Apply scientifically sound nursing theory when making practice decisions.
Assume responsibility for continuing education and professional development, which may include clinical supervision defined at evaluation.
Respect and protect patient confidentiality.
Continuously collect comprehensive, accurate, and systematic patient data.
Complete assessment within eight hours of admission, including physical assessment and systems review, mental and physical status, medication status and compliance history, risk factors, and the patient’s expectations of hospitalization.
Supervise psychiatric counselors’ data collection through direct observation and documentation.
Collect information from family members or significant others as appropriate.
Perform mental health evaluations for patients presenting to the emergency room seeking mental health support or treatment.
Conduct insurance preauthorization reviews for admissions and concurrent reviews for inpatient Behavioral Health Unit patients as needed.
Develop individualized nursing care plans with specific goals and collaborate with clients on treatment plans.
Contribute to interdisciplinary treatment plans within 24 hours of admission and oversee revisions as patient needs change or target dates are reached.
Implement nursing interventions guided by treatment plans to promote, maintain, or restore health, prevent illness, and support rehabilitation.
Teach patients and families to support satisfying and productive patterns of living.
Provide medication education, including purpose, side effects, and contraindications.
Use activities of daily living in a goal-directed manner to foster self-care and physical and mental well-being.
Maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors, and employees.
Assist with new employee orientation and document it on orientation guidelines.
Perform Charge Nurse duties when assigned, including taking reports, acknowledging orders written during the shift, and preparing assignments based on patient needs and employee skill levels.
Ensure continuous coverage of the nurses’ station and unit; coordinate meal breaks, group assignments, one-to-one assignments, tests, and other activities.
Collaborate with staff on emergency action plans and take the lead in implementing decisions when serving as Charge Nurse.
Delegate duties and tasks to team members and follow up to ensure completion; provide clinical feedback and direction as appropriate.
Arrange appropriate replacement nursing personnel when staff report off unexpectedly, contacting the Director of Behavioral Health by phone for assistance as needed.
Provide comprehensive reports to psychiatrists and psychiatric providers.
Lead the treatment team when serving as Charge Nurse by requesting clinical information and directing or delegating tasks and interventions to support thorough, timely completion.
Use or access resources for nursing procedures involving oxygen equipment, suction equipment, saline locks, Foley and straight catheters, an Ambu bag, and enema equipment.
Collaborate with Behavioral Health service members and other Medical Center departments to meet the Medical Center’s behavioral health needs.
Perform related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.