Hospital Nurse II

State of Maine•Bangor, ME

About The Position

This is the second level of professional nursing work involving care and treatment for patients who are mentally, emotionally, or physically ill. The role oversees and provides medical and/or psychiatric nursing care in a hospital facility. The nurse may supervise hospital paraprofessional or other assigned personnel as a group leader and works under limited supervision. The position is with Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving Maine. The center collaborates with people with severe and persistent mental illness and their community and personal supports to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment possible.

Requirements

Knowledge of professional nursing theory and practice.
Knowledge of materia medica, hospital dietetics, sanitation, and personal hygiene.
Knowledge of patient behavior and psychological dynamics.
Ability to apply standard nursing, medical, and psychiatric methods, practices, and techniques.
Ability to instruct and supervise subordinate personnel.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions in exact detail.
Ability to establish and maintain records, charts, and reports.
Ability to maintain a therapeutic attitude toward, and harmonious relationships with, mentally and physically ill patients.
A bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field, or graduation from an accredited school of nursing plus one year of professional nursing experience.
A Registered Nurse license issued by the Maine State Board of Nursing.

Responsibilities

Plan and oversee unit work, including general and psychiatric nursing care, to ensure care follows accepted nursing practices.
Inventory supplies and equipment and order required medicines and supplies to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
Administer medications and treatments in a timely and proper manner.
Orient and train student nurses and paraprofessionals in nursing methods, practices, and techniques, and monitor patient care activities.
Write patient progress reports, maintain medical records, and document unusual behavior.
Assess emergency situations and take appropriate action to address patient problems.
Assess patients’ health status, plan care, and make appropriate referrals to meet patient needs.
Audit patient care to ensure patients receive proper and timely treatment.
Conduct individual and group counseling therapy.
Report patients’ conditions to appropriate professionals and provide information and recommendations regarding treatment plans.
Intervene therapeutically when patients show signs of behavioral escalation.
Instruct and supervise subordinate personnel as assigned.

Benefits

13 paid holidays.
12 days of sick leave.
Three or more weeks of vacation leave annually, with accrual increasing with years of service.
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees.
State contribution of 85%–100% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary.
State-paid employee-only dental insurance premiums.
State contribution equivalent to 14.06% of employee pay toward the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child, including non-birthing and adoptive parents.
Additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Potential nursing student loan reimbursement of $200 per month, subject to qualification.
Shift differentials of $3.00 per hour for second-shift hours and $4.50 per hour for third-shift hours.
Weekend differential of $2.10 per hour for weekend hours.