RN Charge Nurse - Psych Acute

West Anaheim Medical Center•Anaheim, CA

74d•$55 - $74

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Charge Nurse is accountable to the Department Director for nursing staff quality and patient care delivery during the shift, and assists the Director with daily unit or department operations. The role communicates unanticipated patient-care events and risk-management activities to the Director and/or House Supervisor; coordinates staffing, scheduling, assignments, staff supervision, education, and related human-resources activities; and monitors supplies and equipment. The Charge Nurse collaborates with other departments to coordinate patient services and admission, discharge, and transfer processes. The role regularly assesses care delivery and documentation, directs immediate changes to care plans when appropriate to promote safety and regulatory compliance, and escalates matters through the chain of command. The nurse interviews patients and families at admission and during rounds to support positive experiences, orient them to the unit, and explain how to access services. The Charge Nurse may also provide direct patient care within scope of practice and clinical competency, with Charge Nurse duties temporarily reassigned during that time.

Requirements

Current and valid state RN license.
Current BLS certification upon hire and maintenance of current certification.
Working knowledge of mental health laws, practice standards, the interdisciplinary treatment team process, behavioral health programming, and daily nursing functions for inpatient and outpatient behavioral units.
Receive and maintain LPS Certification as deemed necessary.
Complete approved training on LPS statuses and patient rights and successfully pass the LPS Certification exam.
Have approved LPS certification before writing 5150 holds in designated Prime facilities.
LPS Professionals must have experience in an inpatient mental health facility per County requirements.
Complete Patients Rights Education/Competency within 30 days of hire and maintain it current.

Nice To Haves

Previous supervisory experience.
Experience with the continuum of care for behavioral health care.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Responsibilities

Oversee nursing staff quality and patient care delivery during the shift and assist the Department Director with daily unit or department operations.
Communicate unanticipated patient-care events and risk-management activities to the Department Director and/or House Supervisor.
Use nursing personnel effectively and assist with scheduling, staffing, and assignments.
Direct, supervise, and evaluate staff, and provide staff education as necessary.
Assist with performance evaluations, progressive discipline, and other related human-resources activities as needed.
Assess the availability of supplies and equipment, ensure proper use and functionality, and assist with maintaining par levels.
Collaborate with other department managers and supervisors to coordinate patient services and improve patient flow and admission, discharge, and transfer processes.
Assess patient-care delivery and the quality of care documentation consistently.
Direct immediate changes to care plans when appropriate to support patient safety and compliance with regulatory guidelines, hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and clinical pathways; notify appropriate leaders or medical staff through the chain of command.
Interview patients and families at admission and during rounds to support positive experiences, orient them to the unit, and explain how to access services and the charge nurse.
Provide direct patient care within scope of practice and clinical competency when needed to support patient safety and patient-to-nurse ratios, documenting the details when temporarily relieved of Charge Nurse duties.