Behavioral Health Nurse Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Registered nurse license in good standing with the State Board of Nursing in the state of employment.
• American Health Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification, or ability to obtain it within 30 days of hire; recertification is required every two years.
• Formal training in management of the aggressive patient within 60 days of hire; annual recertification is required.
• For employees in Child/Adolescent Day Treatment programs licensed under HFS §40: training in psychiatric nursing, including work with children with mental health disorders, or one year of clinical experience working with these children.
• Ability to comply with applicable nursing practice laws, hospital policies, safety and infection-control requirements, and professional standards.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
• Previous psychiatric experience with children, adolescents, and adults.
• Qualified medical professional (QMP) designation may be required at the Hospital’s discretion; competency and renewal are evaluated at least annually.

Responsibilities

• Complete initial assessments and document required information, including admission data, medical and physical status, patient strengths and limitations, cultural and spiritual factors, discharge needs, medication history, and age-specific needs.
• Involve patient support systems in assessment and documentation when appropriate, and observe and record interactions relevant to treatment.
• Explain patient rights, obtain necessary signatures and consents, protect privacy and confidentiality, and advocate for patients.
• Assist with patient orientation and follow hospital safety procedures, including admission searches when required, while remaining sensitive to patient and family stressors.
• Participate in planning, developing, reviewing, and modifying patient treatment plans and goals with patients, families, and the care team.
• Review multidisciplinary assessments and treatment plans, participate in care conferences, and represent the nursing component of the plan of care.
• Collect and interpret nursing interview, observation, physical assessment, diagnostic, and laboratory information; consult with other health professionals and follow up with physicians as appropriate.
• Assess and document changes in patient status; identify risks including falls, self-abuse, suicidality, assaultive behavior, withdrawal, medication side effects, and serious cardiac or respiratory symptoms; and initiate appropriate interventions.
• Administer medications safely, accurately transcribe and implement physician orders, monitor medication effects and adverse reactions, maintain medication knowledge, and provide and document medication education.
• Use appropriate de-escalation and safety interventions, and reassess patient safety levels.
• Identify patient and family education needs and implement age-appropriate teaching before discharge.
• Organize and implement care according to patient priorities, preferences, age and cultural needs, established care plans, hospital policies, and unit standards.
• When requested and designated as a qualified medical professional, ensure admissions, transfers, and related care activities comply with EMTALA and associated requirements.
• Follow nursing and hospital standards, safety and infection-control requirements, and applicable regulatory policies.
• Participate in continuing education, required in-services, performance improvement, unit projects, and committees; share relevant learning with unit staff.
• Help develop and implement unit standards of care, identify system and resource problems, suggest solutions, and identify educational equipment and supply needs.
• Carry out leadership and charge nurse duties as assigned, including coordinating unit activities, facilitating admissions, managing the therapeutic milieu, responding to crises, communicating unit needs, and maintaining orderly operations.
• Plan patient care assignments based on patient needs, unit activity, continuity of care, and staff qualifications; supervise and delegate tasks to LPNs and psychiatric technicians as appropriate.
• Maintain a primary caseload according to unit standards, provide direction for patient care, and provide complete acuity monitors to Patient Accounts for billing.
• Develop professional growth goals, seek continuing education and projects, and discuss progress with the Clinical Services Manager.
• Promote hospital and department goals, maintain policies and procedures, support regulatory compliance, and educate staff as directed.
• Participate in hospital committees, performance improvement teams, and projects as directed.
• Demonstrate punctuality, preparedness, effective communication and organization, professional conduct, accountability, and courteous and respectful interactions.
• Support staffing and scheduling changes when patient-care needs require, accept reassignment, adjust schedules when able, and seek or offer assistance as needed.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for the employee and family
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee share program
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Tuition reimbursement
• Health and wellness program
• Employee assistance program (EAP)