Registered Nurse (7P-7A) Full-Time

Dallas Behavioral Healthcare Hospital•Desoto, TX

22h

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care to patients according to hospital policies and procedures. The RN assesses patient needs, plans and implements nursing care, evaluates progress, and modifies care plans as needed. The role includes patient and family education, directing nursing support staff through appropriate delegation and supervision, and coordinating care with interdisciplinary professionals. The RN also supports patients’ social and emotional needs, maintains a safe and secure environment, and provides nursing care for patients receiving behavioral health treatment. The position includes conducting intake assessments, developing nursing diagnoses and treatment recommendations, consulting with psychiatrists and behavioral health staff, administering medications and documenting reactions, arranging additional medical attention when necessary, and supporting patients in understanding their emotional disturbances and treatment. The RN maintains accurate patient records and confidentiality, follows physician orders and applicable laws and procedures, uses professional judgment during crises, and performs related administrative and other duties as needed. The stated shift is 7 PM to 7 AM.

Requirements

ADN or BSN from an accredited college or university.
Current Texas RN license in good standing.
CPR required.
At least 2 years of clinical experience; behavioral healthcare, phone triage, telehealth, or case management experience is preferred, or a combination of education and experience.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Knowledge of patient rights, mental health laws, and regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and treatment of mentally and emotionally disturbed patients.
Knowledge of psychotherapy principles and techniques, psychiatric symptoms and behavior patterns, mental health diagnosis and treatment, nursing care of psychiatric patients, and social, psychological, and physical factors of mental and emotional disorders.
Knowledge of medical and psychological terminology, medications including psychotropic drugs, and medication control, preparation, and administration.
Ability to apply professional nursing care principles and procedures to evaluate and treat psychiatric patients and develop therapeutic relationships with them.
Ability to communicate effectively and remain calm in sensitive situations requiring tact and diplomacy.
Ability to exercise appropriate judgment when answering questions or releasing information, and to analyze potential consequences of decisions and recommendations.
Strong written and oral communication, organization, time management, problem-solving, and crisis intervention skills.
Must successfully pass a background check, drug screen, and physical, and provide positive employment references.
With or without reasonable accommodation, able to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand for sustained periods, walk, pull, lift, raise, and move objects up to 50 pounds; perform fine motor tasks and repetitive wrist, hand, or finger motions; communicate orally; and perform visual and auditory observation and assessment tasks.

Nice To Haves

BLS certification.
ACLS certification.
CPI certification.
Experience in a behavioral healthcare setting, phone triage, telehealth, or case management.
Bilingual English/Spanish ability.
Basic teaching and training skills.
Skills facilitating or co-facilitating process-oriented and didactic groups.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care, including supporting patients’ social and emotional needs, supervising medication schedules, and evaluating progress.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals to determine and provide appropriate patient care.
Maintain a safe and secure environment for patients and staff.
Encourage patients to use support groups, social activities, and other therapeutic measures.
Conduct intake assessments and gather case histories through interviews with patients and relatives.
Plan and provide nursing care and make nursing diagnoses of patients’ medical and emotional status.
Recommend treatment options and consult with psychiatrists and behavioral health staff on treatment plans.
Administer psychotropic drugs and other medications, and document patient reactions.
Arrange further medical attention when necessary.
Help patients understand emotional disturbances and accept the need for treatment.
Maintain accurate written charts, patient activity records, and progress documentation.
Comply with applicable laws, rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures.
Use professional judgment to apply appropriate interventions with patients in crisis.
Assess vital signs related to pain and ensure pain treatments are provided.
Document patient information in medical charts and follow physicians’ written orders.
Maintain patient confidentiality and accurate records of treatments, immunizations, and laboratory results.
Perform administrative tasks such as filing, answering phones, typing, and completing progress notes in the computer system.
Direct and organize nursing support staff and shift activities through appropriate delegation and supervision.
Uphold the organization’s ethics and customer service standards and perform related duties as needed.