Registered Nurse RN - Psychiatric Care Unit

MyMichigan Health•Alma, MI

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) provides direct nursing care to adult patients in a psychiatric care setting using the nursing process. The RN assesses patients’ overall needs, provides interventions for presenting symptoms, evaluates patient responses and the effectiveness of care, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to establish patient goals and outcomes. The RN may serve as a team leader, team member, and resource to others, delegating and directing support staff as appropriate. The role includes assessing and documenting patient status, administering medications and treatments, educating patients and families, responding to changes and emergencies, and contributing to treatment-plan updates. In the psychiatric unit, the RN helps maintain a safe therapeutic milieu, identifies and responds to crises, supports patient dignity and rights, and coordinates with other departments and agencies. The position also requires compliance with applicable laws, regulations, hospital policies, and professional standards, as well as participation in quality improvement, regulatory surveys, and staff orientation and competency activities.

Requirements

Associate degree in nursing (NRG specialization).
Registered Nurse credential for Michigan.
Basic Life Support certification from AHA within one month of hire or transfer.
Fingerprinting credential/requirement.
Recipient Rights requirement within 30 days of hire or transfer into the position, with annual training.
iChat screening annually on the hire date.
Techniques for Effective Aggression Management certification within six months of hire or transfer; employees already in the position on or before 12/31/2023 have 24 months to complete it.
Good interpersonal skills and ability to take initiative, work as part of a team, and address a variety of patient needs.
Ability to work with multiple tasks, independently and with others, and maintain regular, predictable attendance and alertness.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including latex materials or an appropriate substitute.
Ability to move about the facility with or without an assistive device and perform the job functions described.
Vision and hearing adequate for the role, with or without assistive devices.
Dexterity for handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling, including repeated movements as required.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands: medium demand; occasional lifting or carrying of 21–50 pounds, frequent handling of 20 pounds and walking/standing/pushing/pulling or using arm/leg controls, and constant handling of 10 pounds.
Ability to work in conditions involving stressful situations, public contact, trauma, grief, death, and some exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials; follow required bloodborne pathogen and TB testing.
Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods and make postural changes such as stooping, kneeling, or crouching.

Nice To Haves

BSN or MSN.
One or more years of mental health nursing experience; psychiatric experience is preferred.
National certification as a Psychiatric Nurse.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ needs regularly and provide skilled nursing services according to physician-authorized plans of care and evidence-based nursing practice.
Provide direct patient care, including medication administration, treatments, education, responding to call lights and alarms, and assisting with transfers.
Evaluate treatment-plan effectiveness and collaborate with team members on revisions or improvements.
Comply with local, state, and federal regulations, guidelines, and hospital policies and procedures.
Communicate and document patient information accurately, including significant changes and abnormal findings, and report relevant information to physicians and appropriate team members.
Educate patients and families according to assessed learning needs and individual considerations.
Organize and prioritize care for individual patients or groups; manage assignments and routine unit duties.
Guide or instruct team members when appropriate and explain individualized care goals and rationale.
Use clinical pathways appropriately and participate in regulatory surveys and performance improvement activities.
Assist with staff orientation and ongoing competencies; maintain knowledge of current specialty trends and professional standards.
Provide a safe and secure care environment and understand emergency preparedness procedures.
Administer medications as ordered and obtain and transcribe physician orders.
Use computers, phones, and unit equipment; demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows and participate in further learning opportunities as required.
Provide for the needs of adult mental health patients aged 18 and older.
Communicate effectively with the treatment team, patients, families, and appropriate agencies.
Monitor and manage the milieu to maintain safety; identify potential crises and use appropriate crisis intervention and management techniques in accordance with current policy.
Conduct groups as appropriate and take initiative to provide patient activities when needed, including during weekends or evenings.
Maintain patient dignity, rights, and confidentiality; advocate for patients and understand the mental health code.
Collaborate with departments and agencies on patients’ behalf, including working with probate courts and attorneys on patient legal issues.
Monitor and document changes in patients’ mental and physical status; complete admission and ongoing assessments accurately and promptly.
Perform basic nursing tasks, including vital signs, weights, intake and output, specimen collection, and assistance with personal care.
Assess, use, and document seclusion and restraints according to policy.
Respond promptly and correctly to disasters and codes.
Attend treatment team meetings and provide nursing treatments, including dressing changes.
Provide medication teaching and ensure appropriate consents are signed.
Act as a team leader when needed for decisions involving patients, families, or milieu issues.
Complete mandatory Recipient Rights training within 30 days of hire and annually.
Cross-train to a designated sister unit within six months of hire.