Registered Nurse- PRN

Rogers Memorial Hospital•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse performs professional nursing activities to help patients achieve or regain and maintain maximum physical, emotional, and social functioning. Practice is governed by the Nurse Practice Act, the applicable state Administrative Code, professional nursing standards, and Rogers Memorial Hospital policies and procedures. The nurse consults with other members of the health care team as indicated by the patient’s condition and treatment goals, and works with Patient Accounts to provide patient information needed for compliance with federal and state statutes. The role includes assessing patients and their support systems; explaining patient rights and obtaining required consents; developing, updating, and implementing individualized plans of care; administering and monitoring medications; recognizing changes in patient condition and safety risks; and providing age-appropriate education. The nurse documents care and participates in treatment planning, care conferences, continuing education, performance improvement, unit projects, and hospital committees. The Registered Nurse may coordinate unit activities and assume charge nurse responsibilities, including facilitating admissions, leading in crisis situations, managing the therapeutic milieu, assigning and delegating work, and supervising LPNs and psychiatric technicians. The nurse also supports unit standards, regulatory compliance, professional development, and the hospital’s goals and mission. The position is PRN, providing as-needed coverage when the clinic is open Monday through Friday, with no set hours or consistent days.

Requirements

Registered nurse licensed by the State Board of Nursing in the state of employment, with the license in good standing.
American Health Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification, or obtain it within 30 days of hire; recertification is required every two years.
Formal training in management of the aggressive patient within 60 days of hire; annual recertification is required.
For employees in Child/Adolescent Day Treatment programs licensed under HFS §40: training in psychiatric nursing, including work with children with mental health disorders, or one year of experience working in a clinical setting with these children.
If required by the hospital, hold a qualified medical professional (QMP) designation and meet the Medical Staff bylaws’ competency requirements; QMP competency is evaluated and may be renewed at least annually.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) preferred.
Previous psychiatric experience with children, adolescents, and adults is preferred.

Responsibilities

Complete initial assessments and document required information, including medical and physical status, medication history, cultural and spiritual factors, age-specific needs, patient strengths and limitations, and discharge needs.
Involve patient support systems in assessment and care as appropriate, and observe and document relevant interactions with family and friends.
Explain patient rights, obtain required signatures and consents, protect privacy and confidentiality, and assist with patient orientation.
Follow hospital safety policies and procedures, including respectful gown and contraband searches when required.
Participate in developing, interpreting, reviewing, and updating patient treatment plans and goals with patients, families, and the care team.
Review multidisciplinary assessments and treatment plans, participate in care conferences, and represent the nursing component of care.
Conduct ongoing nursing interviews, observations, physical assessments, and reviews of diagnostic data; confer with other health professionals as appropriate.
Review current laboratory data and follow up with the doctor; assess fall risk and initiate precautions as indicated.
Identify risk of self-abuse, suicidality, assaultive behavior, withdrawal, medication side effects, and significant cardiac or respiratory symptoms requiring intervention.
Assess changes in patient status and document findings and interventions.
Administer medications safely, accurately transcribe and implement physician orders, monitor effects and adverse reactions, and provide and document medication education.
Use appropriate de-escalation methods, including quiet room, locked seclusion, and restraints, and reevaluate the patient’s safety level.
Identify patient and family health education needs and implement age-appropriate teaching before discharge.
Organize and implement patient care according to patient priorities and preferences, care plans, hospital policies, unit standards, and age-specific and cultural needs.
When requested and qualified as a QMP, help ensure admissions, transfers, and related care comply with EMTALA and associated requirements.
Follow nursing practice, patient care, safety, and infection-control standards; participate in continuing education and required in-services.
Participate in performance improvement and help develop and implement unit standards of care; identify system, communication, equipment, and supply issues and suggest solutions.
Participate in unit committees or projects and contribute to projects that improve professional skills and unit or department systems.
When serving as charge nurse, coordinate unit activities, lead in crises, facilitate admissions, communicate unit status and needs, manage the therapeutic milieu, and plan patient assignments.
Maintain an orderly unit, serve as a role model, supervise and delegate tasks to LPNs and psychiatric technicians within their demonstrated abilities, and maintain a primary caseload according to unit standards.
Provide complete acuity monitors to Patient Accounts to support accurate billing.
Develop professional goals, discuss progress with the Clinical Services manager, and seek continuing education and additional tasks based on unit needs.
Promote department goals and the hospital mission; maintain and communicate relevant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, and assist with staff or student education as directed.
Demonstrate punctuality, preparedness, effective communication and organizational skills, professionalism, accountability, and a positive, solution-focused approach.
Comply with hospital policies and programs, including Human Resources, Infection Control, and Employee Health requirements.
Support changes in staffing or scheduling when patient-care needs require, accept reassignment positively, adjust work schedules when able, and seek or offer assistance as appropriate.