Registered Nurse RN Behavioral Health Geriatric Psych

Banner Health • Tucson, AZ

22h • Onsite

About The Position

Banner Health is hiring a Registered Nurse for its Geriatric Psych Unit in the Behavioral Health Pavilion at Banner - University Medical Center South in Tucson, Arizona. The unit serves geriatric patients who may have significant medical needs in addition to behavioral health needs. Many require hands-on assistance and may be unable to communicate their needs independently. The nurse provides assessments, medication administration, support with activities of daily living, safety monitoring, and encouragement to develop coping skills or attend group sessions. Floating to the campus’s other two Behavioral Health units may be required based on daily census.

The Behavioral Health Pavilion is a Level 1 psychiatric facility serving the serious mental illness population in a safe, supportive setting. Services include crisis stabilization, psychiatric assessments, 24-hour psychiatric and nursing care, expressive arts and group therapy, family support therapy, medication management, and a separate behavioral health unit within the Emergency Department. The stated nurse-to-patient ratio is 8:1 or less. Nurses work as part of a team that includes psychiatric physicians, case managers, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists, and security officers.

The position assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and documents nursing care in accordance with organizational policies and professional nursing standards. The nurse is accountable for the quality of nursing services provided by themselves or those under their direction, and uses specialized nursing knowledge and judgment to provide care appropriate to patients’ physical and developmental needs.

The schedule is full-time, with day or night shifts consisting of three 12-hour shifts per week. Day shifts are 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; night shifts are 7:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m. The schedule includes a set rotation for weekends and holidays. Self-scheduling is available. The posting lists an additional $3-per-hour weekend shift differential and an 18% night shift differential, when applicable. Banner Health describes its benefits as a variety of plans intended to support employees’ health and financial security, without specifying individual plans here.

Requirements

• Current, valid RN license in the state of practice, a temporary/interim RN license in the state of practice, or compact RN licensure for the current state of practice.
• BLS certification.
• Ability to relate relevant experience, training, and education during the interview process.
• Maintain clinical performance competencies appropriate to the work area, as demonstrated through annual validations.
• Additional certification or continuing education may be required depending on the practice area.
• For Behavioral Health clinical employees at BUMCS, an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card is required at hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the clinical area for which the applicant is applying is desired.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Professional certification preferred.
• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ physical, psychological, social, spiritual, educational, developmental, cultural, and discharge-planning needs; review patient history and physical information; assess and reassess according to patient needs and policy.
• Review information from other health care team members, diagnostics, and laboratory data, and report abnormal results to physicians and other appropriate caregivers.
• Formulate and initiate individualized plans of care, including discharge plans, with input from patients, families, and the health care team; review and revise plans as patient needs change.
• Provide direct patient care and coordinate, delegate, and supervise health care team activities in accordance with physician orders, nursing plans, policies, standards of care, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote continuity of care by communicating patients’ status accurately and completely to other caregivers.
• Evaluate patient and family responses to care and teaching, progress toward goals, and the effectiveness of teaching; revise care plans as needed.
• Document assessments, plans, interventions, evaluations, patient responses, and physician orders legibly and accurately in a timely manner.
• Provide evidence-based care and may participate in clinical research, shared leadership, quality improvement, and activities that support nursing outcomes.
• Participate in education, role development, and orientation for personnel, patients, students, families, and visitors; precept and mentor when appropriate.
• Collaborate and communicate with staff across departments, physicians, patients, families, external health care contacts, community providers, agencies, and clergy.
• On the Geriatric Psych Unit, administer medications, assist with activities of daily living, maintain patient safety, and encourage coping skills and participation in group sessions.
• Float to the other two Behavioral Health units on the campus when required based on census.

Benefits

• A variety of benefit plans to support employees and their families, including health and financial security options.
• Clinical Ladder program with compensation incentives as nurses progress and participate in professional development.
• Self-scheduling tool.
• $3-per-hour weekend shift differential.
• 18% night shift differential, when applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed