Registered Nurse – EmPATH Unit

Medical University of South Carolina•Orangeburg, SC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) Unit is a specialized hospital-based observation unit dedicated to patients with mental health emergencies. The EmPATH unit is the designated destination for medically cleared patients with need for observation and treatment while awaiting disposition. The RN will work with a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and assistants in a calming environment to provide treatment to adult and adolescent patients in need of mental health care. RNs on the EmPATH unit will be cross trained to work the geriatric psych unit.

Requirements

Graduation from accredited school of nursing.
Current RN license in the state of South Carolina.
Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required.
Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time.
Proficiency in manual dexterity and fine motor skills for tasks such as taking patient vitals, administering injections, or conducting physical exams.
Capacity to lift and move patients or medical equipment as needed.
Visual acuity and color perception to accurately read medical charts, documents, and monitors.
Auditory ability to effectively communicate with patients and colleagues, as well as to perceive important sounds such as alarms or patient instructions.
Stamina and resilience to handle the physical and emotional demands of providing patient care, including long shifts and potentially stressful situations.
Mobility to navigate clinical environments, including moving between patient rooms, offices, and other areas of the facility.
Compliance with infection control protocols and proper use of personal protective equipment to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Ability to read and interpret business or safety manuals, clinical or technical procedures or regulations.
Ability to write reports, correspondence and/or manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, patients, families, other employees and medical staff.
Ability to perform more complex math functions (add, subtract, multiply and divide) to include calculating percentages, averages, volume, ratio and interpreting graphs - using numbers and units of measure.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to deal with concrete and abstract concepts and interpret verbal, nonverbal and written instructions.
Ability to multitask and prioritize assigned and assumed responsibilities to complete patient care as necessary.
All staff members must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to meet the physical, psycho/social, educational, safety, and related needs of the persons in the assigned work area.
Staff members must be able to understand and respond to the expectations and needs of patients, family members and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Nursing degree preferred.
Some clinical or hospital experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Documents initial nursing histories, assesses patients’ conditions per policy requirements and develops individual care plans for patients taking into consideration their physical, psycho-social, environmental, cultural, and spiritual needs.
Assists physicians with examinations, procedures and other processes related to direct patient care according to established policies and procedures.
Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consult with other specialists as required and revises nursing care processes as necessary to obtain optimal patient care.
Coordinates discharge planning.
Monitors and records patients’ condition.
Maintains confidentiality.
Using an interdisciplinary approach, formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning [including family teaching] as appropriate.
Coordinates patients’ ordered diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Communicates patients’ condition during hand-offs.
Performs other miscellaneous and related duties as assigned by the director of nursing, charge nurse and/or medical staff.
Performs charge duties as requested by director, after six (6) months nursing experience and appropriate training as required.
Rounds on patients per policy to improve clinical outcome.
Orients or mentors new staff members.
Listens effectively to the patient to facilitate care requirements.
Provides first line customer service response.
Follows the MUSC Standards of Behaviors.
Other duties as assigned.