RN - Psych Behavioral Health

Yale New Haven Health • New Haven, CT

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive, patient-centered nursing care to individuals across a diverse behavioral health population. Our Behavioral Health program offers opportunities across several specialized inpatient and psychiatric emergency settings, including Adolescent Psychiatry, Transitional Age Youth, Mood Disorders, General Adult Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES). The RN is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating individualized patient care in accordance with established policies, procedures, and standards of nursing practice. The RN collaborates closely with psychiatrists, advanced practice providers, social workers, therapists, mental health workers, patients, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to promote stabilization, recovery, safety, and successful transition to the next level of care. Depending on patient needs and staffing priorities, RNs may be asked to support multiple behavioral health units. This provides an opportunity to work with patients across a broad range of ages, diagnoses, and levels of psychiatric acuity.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Proficient in the use of computer software, including electronic medical records/patient care systems, and able to utilize electronic resources and the Internet to conduct literature searches and support evidence-based patient care.
• Current, valid Connecticut Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Strong clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to maintain a therapeutic and professional relationship with patients experiencing acute behavioral health conditions.
• Ability to respond effectively to crisis situations and changing patient needs.
• Commitment to patient safety, dignity, recovery, and trauma-informed care.

Nice To Haves

• BSN preferred.
• Previous behavioral health, psychiatric, emergency, medical-surgical, or related nursing experience is preferred but may vary by unit.

Responsibilities

• Assesses the patient's physical, mental, emotional, and psychosocial condition on an ongoing basis throughout the continuum of care.
• Develops, communicates, and documents an individualized plan of care based on patient needs, clinical assessment, treatment goals, and identified risks.
• Implements and coordinates the plan of care in collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of the plan of care and the patient's response to treatment; revises interventions as appropriate and makes referrals when indicated.
• Identifies individual learning needs and readiness of the patient and family and provides appropriate education regarding medications, treatment, coping strategies, safety, and discharge planning.
• Promotes a safe, therapeutic, and patient-centered environment through effective communication, therapeutic nursing interventions, and adherence to behavioral health safety practices.
• Administers medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders, nursing standards, and established policies and procedures.
• Recognizes changes in patient condition, including changes in mental status, behavior, mood, safety risk, or physical condition, and responds appropriately.
• Participates in crisis intervention, suicide/self-harm risk assessment, behavioral management, and other interventions appropriate to the patient's clinical needs.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team regarding patient progress, treatment goals, safety concerns, discharge planning, and continuity of care.
• Functions as a preceptor and resource for new staff and other members of the healthcare team.
• Functions as a Charge Nurse when assigned, including delegation of nursing responsibilities, coordination of patient care, staff support, and oversight of unit operations.
• May be required to provide nursing support across multiple behavioral health units based on patient needs, staffing requirements, and operational priorities.
• Meets performance expectations related to patient experience, teamwork, resource utilization, professional development, and staff development.
• Demonstrates commitment to the organization's mission, vision, and values while maintaining the highest standards of professional nursing practice.
• Performs other duties as assigned or directed to support the safe and effective operation of the department/unit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree