ED Behavioral Health Nurse- Per Diem

Connecticut Children's•Hartford, CT

About The Position

Under general supervision, the ED Behavioral Health Nurse plans and provides direct professional nursing care for specified patients throughout the entire episode of service delivery, as defined by the patient population and unit. The nurse provides care to patients and families in accordance with professional nursing standards, Connecticut Children’s policies and procedures, The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, and state and federal regulations. The role serves patients presenting with behavioral health concerns and reports to the Nurse Manager. The nurse uses the nursing process to provide safe, appropriate care; applies knowledge of behavioral health patients’ needs and demonstrates cultural sensitivity; and supports effective team dynamics, communication, patient and family safety, and staff development. The role includes timely documentation and communication with the healthcare team, partnering with patients and families to evaluate outcomes, monitoring responses to treatment, and providing education. The nurse delegates patient-care duties to clinical staff, including unlicensed assistive personnel, in accordance with hospital policy and scope of practice. The nurse also develops a working understanding of medico-legal requirements related to evidence handling and preservation.

Requirements

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) required upon hire.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required within three years of hire.
Current Connecticut Registered Nurse license or Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) licensure, maintained thereafter.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification covering adults, children, and infants, required upon hire and maintained thereafter.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification within six months of hire, or before orientation is completed if orientation takes longer than six months, and maintained thereafter.
Crisis Intervention training certification within three months of hire and maintained current.
Knowledge of professional nursing theory, principles, techniques, and practice.
Knowledge of common behavioral health and psychiatric diagnoses, medications, concepts, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions and treatments.
Knowledge of state regulations regarding nursing practice, clinical standards of care, documentation and patient record standards, teaching techniques, patient and family assessment, and accreditation and certification requirements.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies.
Effective de-escalation skills.
Basic proficiency using personal computers in a networked Windows-based healthcare environment, related software applications, files, and the Internet as a research tool.
Ability to work individually or in teams and organizations within the medical and research community.
Ability to make clinical and procedural decisions using the nursing process.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, delegate appropriately, communicate effectively orally and in writing, maintain professional boundaries, and remain composed in stressful, difficult, or critical situations.

Nice To Haves

BSN preferred upon hire.
At least two years of clinical experience in pediatrics and/or a behavioral health setting preferred.
Specialty licensure or certification may be required as specified by the department.

Responsibilities

Use the nursing process to provide safe, appropriate daily care to the defined patient population in accordance with organizational and unit policies and standards.
Apply knowledge of the needs of patients presenting with behavioral health concerns and demonstrate cultural sensitivity in interactions with patients, families, and coworkers.
Foster effective team dynamics through clear communication that supports patient, family, and staff safety.
Participate in the professional development of others through preceptor or mentor activities when assigned.
Support unit and department productivity and resource management activities.
Complete required documentation promptly and communicate necessary information effectively to the healthcare team.
Partner with patients and families in evaluating outcomes; monitor, trend, and evaluate responses to treatment.
Educate patients and families about all aspects of care and support organizational patient and family education efforts.
Demonstrate support for Connecticut Children’s mission, values, and goals through conduct consistent with its standards.
Serve as a nurse for patients presenting with behavioral health concerns.
Promote teamwork, consistency, and collaboration among colleagues to support patient, family, and staff safety.
Develop a working understanding of medico-legal implications of evidence handling and preservation.
Delegate patient-care duties and tasks to clinical staff, including unlicensed assistive personnel, according to hospital policy and scope of practice.