RN Charge Nurse - Psych Acute

Prime Healthcare•Anaheim, CA

16h

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Charge Nurse is accountable to the Department Director for nursing staff quality and patient care delivery during the assigned shift, and assists the Director with daily unit or department operations. The position communicates unanticipated patient-care events and risk-management activities to the Director and/or House Supervisor, coordinates staffing and assignments, supervises and evaluates staff, and supports staff education and related human-resources activities. The Charge Nurse monitors supplies and equipment, collaborates with other department leaders to coordinate patient services and patient flow, and assesses the quality of care and documentation. The role directs immediate care-plan changes when appropriate to maintain patient safety and compliance with regulatory requirements, hospital policies, procedures, protocols, and clinical pathways, and escalates concerns through the chain of command. The Charge Nurse also engages patients and families during admission and rounds to improve their experience and explain unit services. Direct patient care may be performed within the nurse’s scope and competency; Charge Nurse duties are temporarily reassigned during that care, with the details documented on the patient-care assignment record. West Anaheim Medical Center is a 219-bed acute-care hospital and a member of Prime Healthcare. The hospital provides medical and surgical inpatient care, emergency and surgical services, behavioral health, heart services, and diagnostic imaging.

Requirements

Current and valid state RN License.
Current BLS upon hire and maintain current.
Working knowledge of Mental Health Laws, Practice Standards, 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.
Obtain 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.
Patients Rights Education/Competency required within 30 days of hire and maintained current.
LPS Professionals must have experience in an inpatient mental health facility per County requirements.

Nice To Haves

Previous supervisory experience.
Continuum of care for behavioral health care.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Responsibilities

Be accountable to the Department Director for nursing staff quality and patient care delivery during the assigned shift.
Assist the Director with daily operations of the unit or department.
Communicate unanticipated patient-care events and risk-management activities to the 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 needed.
Assist with performance evaluations, progressive discipline, and other related human-resources activities as needed.
Monitor supply and equipment availability, proper use, functionality, and daily maintenance of par levels.
Coordinate with other department managers and supervisors to support patient services, patient flow, and admission, discharge, and transfer processes.
Assess patient-care delivery and the quality of care and documentation.
Direct immediate changes to care plans when appropriate to promote patient safety and adherence to regulatory guidelines and facility policies, procedures, protocols, and clinical pathways.
Notify the Department Director, House Supervisor, and/or Medical Staff as appropriate, following the chain of command.
Interview patients and families during admission and rounds to support positive experiences, orient them to the unit, and explain how to access services or the Charge Nurse.
Perform direct patient care within scope of practice and clinical competency when needed to ensure patient safety and patient/nurse ratios; document any temporary relief from Charge Nurse duties on the patient-care assignment record.