Registered Nurse – Adult Behavioral Health

Medical University of South Carolina • Orangeburg, SC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The MUSC Orangeburg BHU is a 14-bed inpatient mental health unit treating adult patients. Patient rooms are a mixture of semi-private and private rooms equipped with cameras for continuous monitoring and an activity room for daytime activities. We serve adult patients (18-60) with mental health diagnoses and behavioral disturbances. The RN will work with a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and assistants in a therapeutic environment to provide treatment to patients in mental health crises. RNs on BHU will be cross trained to work the EmPATH unit.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree required.
• Licensure as a registered nurse by the South Carolina Board of Nursing or a compact state.
• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required.
• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time.
• Proficiency in manual dexterity and fine motor skills for tasks such as taking patient vitals, administering injections, or conducting physical exams.
• Capacity to lift and move patients or medical equipment as needed.
• Visual acuity and color perception to accurately read medical charts, documents, and monitors.
• Auditory ability to effectively communicate with patients and colleagues, as well as to perceive important sounds such as alarms or patient instructions.
• Stamina and resilience to handle the physical and emotional demands of providing patient care, including long shifts and potentially stressful situations.
• Mobility to navigate clinical environments, including moving between patient rooms, offices, and other areas of the facility.
• Compliance with infection control protocols and proper use of personal protective equipment to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
• Must possess the ability to read and interpret business or safety manuals, clinical or technical procedures or regulations.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence and/or manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, patients, families, other employees and medical staff.
• Ability to perform more complex math functions (add, subtract, multiply and divide) to include calculating percentages, averages, volume, ratio and interpreting graphs - using numbers and units of measure.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to deal with concrete and abstract concepts and interpret verbal, nonverbal and written instructions.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize assigned and assumed responsibilities to complete patient care as necessary.
• All staff members must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to meet the physical, psycho/social, educational, safety, and related needs of the persons in the assigned work area.
• Staff members must be able to understand and respond to the expectations and needs of patients, family members and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

• RNs on BHU will be cross trained to work the EmPATH unit.

Responsibilities

• Documents initial nursing histories, assesses patients’ conditions per policy requirements and develops individual care plans for patients taking into consideration their physical, psycho-social, environmental, cultural, and spiritual needs.
• Assists physicians with examinations, procedures and other processes related to direct patient care according to established policies and procedures.
• Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consult with other specialists as required and revises nursing care processes as necessary to obtain optimal patient care.
• Coordinates discharge planning.
• Monitors and records patients’ condition.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Using an interdisciplinary approach, formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning [including family teaching] as appropriate.
• Coordinates patients’ ordered diagnostic and therapeutic services.
• Communicates patients’ condition during hand-offs.
• Performs other miscellaneous and related duties as assigned by the director of nursing, charge nurse and/or medical staff.
• Performs charge duties as requested by director, after six (6) months nursing experience and appropriate training as required.
• Rounds on patients per policy to improve clinical outcome.
• Orients or mentors new staff members.
• Listens effectively to the patient to facilitate care requirements.
• Provides first line customer service response.
• Follows the MUSC Standards of Behaviors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-VERIFY program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree