Senior Registered Nurse - Psych Services

Parkland Health

About The Position

The Senior Registered Nurse in Psych Services is a licensed professional with at least two years of nursing experience who coordinates care for a particular patient population or health condition using Parkland’s nursing professional practice model. Using the nursing process, the RN assesses patients, identifies nursing diagnoses, develops and implements individualized plans of care, and evaluates patient responses. The RN helps patients move through their healthcare encounters without preventable complications or delays and delegates interventions in accordance with the Texas Nursing Practice Act, patient condition, and staff competencies. The nurse provides patient-centered psychiatric nursing care, advocates for patients’ needs and rights, and collaborates with the healthcare team. Responsibilities include patient assessment and documentation, crisis recognition and intervention, discharge planning, staff direction and training, and compliance with applicable laws, policies, and standards. This is a full-time night position working three 12-hour shifts from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
At least two years of nursing experience.
Current RN license or valid temporary permit with the Texas Board of Nursing, or a valid Compact RN license.
Current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network; certification card must show an expiration date more than 30 days after hire.
Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression (SAMA) certification, level 1–4, within 30 days of hire.
Ability to provide care in accordance with the Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plans of care, and clinical-area standards.
Ability to assess patients continuously, consult with team members, and provide patient-centered nursing care using independent judgment.
Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with patients, families, and hospital staff and, when required, via overhead paging.
Ability to direct non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and serve as Charge Nurse on rotation.
Ability to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
Ability to facilitate biopsychosocial education groups, which may include medication or health education.
Ability to demonstrate patient-centered and patient-valued behaviors and, where applicable, knowledge of nursing standards of care for the specialty area.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an acute care setting.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and provide care for the assigned patient population using the nursing process and an individualized plan of care.
Assess patients, identify nursing diagnoses, implement interventions, and evaluate responses to care.
Advocate for patient needs, rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences; foster therapeutic relationships and a wellness-promoting environment.
Provide clinical care information, education, and training to patients and family members; serve as a resource for clinical patient care issues.
Participate in nurse-to-nurse hand-offs at shift changes and whenever care is transferred, using the EPIC system.
Maintain knowledge of and comply with applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, guidelines, and accreditation and health-plan requirements, including EMTALA and behavioral health legal processes.
Maintain knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, and appropriate use of materials.
Conduct patient assessments, including search and scan, admission criteria, clinical interventions, discharge planning, and interdisciplinary discharge communication.
Recognize crisis situations and use appropriate interventions, including de-escalation and restraint techniques.
Complete accurate, timely patient-care records and other required documentation.
Provide direction to non-nursing staff and collaborate with nursing and other Parkland staff; serve as Charge Nurse on rotation as needed.
Serve as a preceptor or trainer for newer nursing staff.
Prepare and conduct at least one in-service educational program for the assigned department each year.
Identify opportunities to improve work processes and patient and customer satisfaction, make recommendations, and implement and monitor improvements as appropriate.
Participate in interdisciplinary committees as assigned and may participate in community outreach activities.
Keep current with developments in nursing practice through professional learning and organizations, and maintain required licensure and certifications.