Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Nurse
About The Position
The Behavioral Health Nurse provides direct nursing care to Emergency Department patients with psychiatric diagnoses, substance abuse issues, and/or chronic or acute medical issues. The role is intended to support stabilization, discharge, and hospitalization for complex psychiatric patients in the ED, where long stays can increase patient anxiety, workplace violence incidents, and strain on resources. Working an assigned 12-hour shift with Psychiatric Hospital Assistants, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and ED staff, the nurse uses nursing assessments and interventions within their scope of practice and applies current clinical knowledge of psychiatric and medical illnesses. The nurse is responsible for Code 100s and Code 99, and evaluates and documents intervention results. Duties may include taking nursing histories from patients or others, developing and evaluating nursing care plans, and teaching patients and families about illness and symptom management. The Behavioral Health Nurse works closely with the ED Nurse, who remains responsible for the psychiatric patient until medical clearance or transfer. Care is provided in the Emergency Department, with coordination and interaction involving ED staff, SAWs, providers, APPs, ED pharmacists, Social Services, Case Management, a Substance Abuse Counselor, ED PCTs, the ED Discharge Coordinator, Security, UCPD, SFPD, and EMS agencies. The nurse maintains the knowledge and abilities needed to perform the role, carries out legal responsibilities under the Nurse Practice Act, and is accountable to the NURSE SVC SUPV 2 for overall work performance. The position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
Requirements
- At least one year of recent acute care or inpatient hospital experience.
- At least six months of recent psychiatric experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
- Ability to lift more than 50 pounds, bend, and twist.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability.
- Knowledge and abilities essential to successful performance of the assigned duties.
- Flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.
- Meet the legal requirements to practice as a Registered Nurse as determined by the California Board of Registered Nurses; a California RN license is required.
- Current BLS for Healthcare Providers certification.
- Active American Heart Association CPR certification.
- Active Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training within six months of hire.
Nice To Haves
- Active Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training.
- Experience with an electronic health record in a healthcare setting.
- Knowledge of California Mental Health Holds (LPS).
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Responsibilities
- Provide direct nursing care to ED patients with psychiatric diagnoses, substance abuse issues, and/or chronic or acute medical issues.
- Perform nursing assessments and interventions within scope of practice using current clinical knowledge of psychiatric and medical illnesses.
- Respond to Code 100s and Code 99.
- Evaluate and document the results of interventions for the patient population.
- Take nursing histories from patients and/or others to identify variables affecting care.
- Write and evaluate nursing care plans.
- Teach patients and families about illness and symptom management.
- Work closely with the ED Nurse until medical clearance or transfer has been achieved.
- Coordinate care with ED staff and other involved professionals and agencies.
- Maintain the knowledge and abilities essential to the role and carry out legal responsibilities within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act.
- Meet work performance expectations and remain accountable to the NURSE SVC SUPV 2.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
