Behavioral Health RN

Mount Nittany Health•State College, PA

10h

About The Position

Provides direct professional nursing care to patients, including assessing patient needs and planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. The RN applies sound nursing theory, protects patient confidentiality, and supports ongoing professional development. The role involves comprehensive patient assessment, individualized care and treatment planning, nursing interventions, patient and family education, and collaboration with Behavioral Health staff and other Medical Center departments. When assigned Charge Nurse duties, the RN coordinates unit staffing and activities, delegates and follows up on work, leads treatment-team coordination, supports staff development, and helps direct responses to emergencies. The RN must be proficient with specified nursing equipment and procedures. Related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Baccalaureate degree in Nursing preferred.
A minimum of 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 decisions about nursing practice; pursue continuing education and professional development; and protect patient confidentiality.
Collect comprehensive, accurate, and systematic patient information, including assessments of physical and mental status, medications and compliance, risk factors, and hospitalization expectations within eight hours of admission.
Supervise psychiatric counselors’ data collection and obtain information from family members or significant others when appropriate.
Perform mental health evaluations for patients seeking support or treatment in the emergency room.
Conduct insurance preauthorization reviews for admissions and concurrent reviews for inpatient Behavioral Health Unit patients as needed.
Develop individualized nursing care plans and collaborate with patients on treatment plans.
Contribute to interdisciplinary treatment plans within 24 hours of admission and oversee revisions as patient needs or target dates change.
Implement nursing actions guided by treatment plans to promote, maintain, or restore health, prevent illness, and support rehabilitation.
Provide health and medication education to patients and families, including medication purposes, side effects, and contraindications.
Use activities of daily living in a goal-directed way to support 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.
When assigned Charge Nurse duty, take reports, acknowledge shift orders, prepare staff assignments based on patient needs and employee skill levels, and ensure unit coverage.
When assigned Charge Nurse duty, coordinate meal breaks, group assignments, one-to-one assignments, tests, and other activities.
When assigned Charge Nurse duty, collaborate on emergency action plans, lead implementation, delegate tasks, and follow up on completion.
When assigned Charge Nurse duty, provide clinical feedback and direction to staff and arrange appropriate replacement of nursing personnel who report off unexpectedly.
Provide comprehensive reports to psychiatrists and psychiatric providers.
When assigned Charge Nurse duty, lead the treatment team and request clinical information and direct or delegate tasks and interventions to support their thorough and timely completion.
Demonstrate proficiency with oxygen and suction equipment, saline locks, Foley and straight catheters, an Ambu bag, enema equipment, and accessing resources for nursing procedures.
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.