RN or LPN, Child & Youth Emergency Psychiatric Services (Day Shift)

Mental Health Cooperative•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) supports the licensed physician or Advanced Practice Nurse and the broader health-care team in providing psychiatric care to consumers in Emergency Psychiatric Services (EPS). The nurse collaborates with the team to evaluate consumers’ plans of care and progress toward treatment goals. The position is scheduled for 7 a.m.–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday or Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (swing shift). The role includes psychiatric assessments, medication management and education, ongoing observation and assessment, safety monitoring, screening, referrals, and coordinating consumer disposition. The nurse works with consumers and multidisciplinary staff to support care in a safe, therapeutic setting. Mental Health Cooperative serves individuals with serious mental illness and poverty, including children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders, across Middle and East Tennessee. The organization describes its culture as caring, collaborative, innovative, and inclusive.

Requirements

Valid Tennessee RN or LPN license.
Valid Tennessee driver’s license.
Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR).
Acceptable criminal background investigation.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work with other departments and communicate with consumers and coworkers at different levels.
Timely communication of relevant consumer updates to the team.
Customer-service and engagement skills; understanding, empathy, respect, and good listening skills.
Clinical skills including hand hygiene, critical thinking, CLIA-waived testing, vital signs, nursing assessment, medication administration, and medication education.
Leadership skills; ability to remain calm in crisis situations and be proactive in meeting agency goals.
Ability to promote health and provide education.
Time-management and organizational skills, including prioritization, meeting deadlines, timely progress notes, and preparation for meetings.
Flexibility to adapt to different clinical settings and changing needs.
Knowledge of therapeutic de-escalation options, universal precautions, injection administration, Narcan administration and education, hazardous medication disposal, and sharps disposal.

Responsibilities

Perform psychiatric nursing assessments and medication management for consumers in the EPS setting.
Interpret and process providers’ medication orders.
Provide medication education to consumers.
Conduct ongoing assessments of consumers while they are in EPS.
Provide referrals for hospitalization, diversion services, or other recommended dispositions.
Collaborate with all disciplines on the Emergency Psychiatric Services team.
Use active listening and problem-solving with consumers.
Monitor consumer behavior, cooperation, and ability to remain safe while in EPS.
Observe and record consumers’ use of medication as prescribed.
Perform medical clearances as needed.
Prioritize customer service for internal and external customers.
Assist consumers in other EPS units as needed.
Attend scheduled nursing and MHC staff meetings.
Arrange disposition to home, hospital, or other diversion services as necessary.
Maintain and facilitate communication about consumer care with relevant staff.
Screen for substance toxicity, intoxication, withdrawal symptoms, and danger to self or others.
Work with consumers to formulate mutually agreed-upon, measurable treatment goals and objectives.
Provide general guidance and health education to consumers.
Maintain a professional demeanor in all settings and situations.
Suggest innovative ways to improve efficiency and care and meet consumer needs.
Use the electronic health record proficiently.
Cross-train in other EPS areas.
Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment free of sharps and other potentially harmful objects.
Complete medication audits as outlined by the agency.