RN CASUAL - ADULT INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Independence Health System•Latrobe, PA

About The Position

The RN assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates care for assigned psychiatric patients and coordinates, directs, and participates as an effective member of the interdisciplinary team. The role provides direct and indirect patient care in accordance with the Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act, hospital policies and procedures, and professional standards of care. The RN is expected to work with both Adult and Adolescent Units and may travel locally between System locations. The RN supports patient safety and quality of care, responds to psychiatric emergencies, collaborates with psychiatrists and other staff on crisis resolution, and may manage agitated patients through approved handling, restraint, and seclusion procedures. The position also includes administering and monitoring psychotropic medications, facilitating therapeutic and educational groups, and providing patient and family education and support. This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, though the RN may coach and mentor other department positions. Scheduling is based on operational need and may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
Strong leadership and organizational skills, independent and critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of the legal aspects and liabilities of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.
Current Basic Life Support certification through an American Heart Association-approved curriculum, including CPR and AED.
Act 33 clearance with renewal.
Act 34 clearance with renewal.
Act 73 FBI clearance with renewal.
A nursing refresher course may be required if the employee has not worked in an acute care setting during their most recent three consecutive years of professional employment.
Must be available to work on both Adult and Adolescent Units.
Scheduling may be based on operational need and may include rotating shifts, standby, and on-call work.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred.
One to two years of relevant experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for assigned psychiatric patients.
Coordinate, direct, and participate as an effective interdisciplinary team member.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge through education, professional publications, networks, and professional societies.
Ensure quality care by following therapeutic standards, assessing outcomes against goals, recommending adjustments, and adhering to applicable policies, standards, and regulations.
Protect patients and employees by following infection-control, medication administration and storage, and controlled-substance protocols.
Document care in patient and department records, and communicate actions, irregularities, and continuing needs to maintain continuity among nursing teams.
Protect confidential information and establish rapport with patients and others to identify care requirements.
Provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families.
Promote patient independence by setting care goals and teaching patients and families about conditions, medications, and self-care.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and request assistance from support personnel as needed.
Resolve patient problems through multidisciplinary teamwork and contribute to team quality improvement and problem-solving.
Maintain a cooperative relationship with healthcare teams by communicating information, responding to requests, and participating in team efforts.
Ensure equipment operation by completing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting malfunctions, arranging repairs, maintaining inventories, and evaluating equipment and techniques.
Maintain nursing supplies inventory and order, receive, and use supplies as needed.
Process psychiatric emergencies as assigned by assessing patients, collaborating with psychiatrists on crisis resolution, processing commitments, and referring patients to appropriate treatment facilities.
Provide for patient safety in accordance with hospital and nursing department policies.
Coordinate management of agitated patients with staff, including handling, restraint, or seclusion; recognize escalating behavior and take appropriate action.
Update crisis intervention skills annually and ensure patient belongings are searched for potentially harmful items.
Maintain working knowledge of psychotropic medications and applicable department protocols; administer medications and monitor and document efficacy, side effects, and compliance.
Educate patients and families about prescribed medications.
Conduct and facilitate medication, support, and educational groups for patients, and serve as an information and referral source for families.
Provide patients with individualized educational materials.
Perform other related duties as assigned.