RN CASUAL - ADOLESCENT INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Independence Health System•Latrobe, PA

About The Position

The Registered Nurse assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care for assigned psychiatric patients and coordinates, directs, and participates as an effective member of the interdisciplinary team. The role provides direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act, hospital policies and protocols, and professional standards of care. The RN supports adolescent inpatient behavioral health patients through psychiatric assessment and crisis response, safety measures, psychotropic medication administration and monitoring, patient and family education, and facilitation of therapy and educational groups. The position also documents care, coordinates with nursing and multidisciplinary teams, maintains equipment and supplies, and helps ensure a safe and compassionate care environment. Scheduling is based on operational needs and may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work. Local travel between system locations may be expected.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through an American Heart Association-approved CPR and AED curriculum.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.
Strong leadership and organizational skills, independent and critical-thinking abilities, sound judgment, and knowledge of the legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
A nursing refresher course may be required if the employee has not worked in an acute care setting during their most recent three consecutive years of professional employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
One to two years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for assigned psychiatric patients.
Coordinate, direct, and participate in interdisciplinary care and communicate patient needs, actions, and changes to the care team.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge through continuing education, professional publications, networking, and participation in professional societies.
Ensure quality care by following therapeutic standards, evaluating outcomes against goals, and complying with hospital, nursing division, state board, and regulatory standards.
Follow infection-control, medication administration and storage, controlled-substance, confidentiality, and patient-safety policies.
Document patient care in patient and department records and communicate continuity-of-care needs using Nurse Knowledge Exchange techniques.
Build rapport with patients and others involved in understanding care needs; provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients and families.
Establish patient care goals; teach patients and families about conditions, medications, and self-care; answer questions and provide individualized educational materials.
Resolve patient problems through multidisciplinary strategies and contribute to team quality improvement and problem-solving.
Maintain equipment by completing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting malfunctions, arranging repairs, maintaining inventories, and evaluating equipment and techniques.
Maintain nursing supply inventory by checking stock, anticipating needs, ordering and expediting supplies, verifying receipt, and using supplies appropriately.
Assess and respond to psychiatric emergencies in collaboration with psychiatrists; support crisis resolution, process commitments, and refer patients to appropriate treatment facilities.
Coordinate management of agitated patients with staff, including handling, restraint, or seclusion; recognize escalating behavior and take action.
Ensure patient belongings are searched for potentially harmful items and update crisis intervention skills annually.
Administer, monitor, and document the efficacy, side effects, and patient compliance related to psychotropic medications; provide medication education to patients and families.
Conduct and facilitate medication, support, and educational groups for patients and serve as an information and referral resource for families.
Perform other related duties as assigned.