Mental Health Nurse Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• RN (BSN preferred) or LPN with two or more years of experience and/or training in a behavioral health setting.
• Two or more years’ experience working with children/youth and families preferred.
• Good understanding of various medical conditions including emergent and nonemergent conditions, especially those pertaining to behavioral health patients.
• Basic understanding of using a trauma-informed approach with patients including positive bedside manner.
• Basic computer skills such as e-mail, electronic health record documentation, electronic prescribing, and electronic laboratory interface.
• Current and maintained BLS and First Aid Certification.
• Acquires and maintains certification in Nonviolent Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training (CPI).
• Maintain a working knowledge of commonly prescribed psychiatric medications including but not limited to interactions, side effects, contraindications, and therapeutic range of lab values.

Nice To Haves

• BSN preferred
• Two or more years’ experience working with children/youth and families
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) competency

Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric nursing services and medication monitoring to children/youth in the Crisis Stabilization Unit.
• Provide oversight of all medication processes and administer medications to patients.
• Collaborate with the Medical Director and Prescriber in all phases of medication management, including assessing for side effects and follow-up.
• Identify potential physical problems and possible solutions impacting the health of children/youth.
• Provide group and individual education to children/youth and their families regarding physical and psychiatric diagnoses and treatment.
• Determine appropriateness of admission for patients based on assessment and reported medical conditions.
• Complete needs assessment with all patients on the day of admission, throughout treatment, and at discharge.
• Perform physical exams for every patient upon admission.
• Coordinate psychiatric exams, if applicable, within 24 hours of admission.
• Implement prescriber orders, either written or verbal.
• Ensure Medication Administration Records (MAR) are updated to reflect medication changes.
• Coordinate prescription refills.
• Assist treatment team in discharge planning.
• Order and review labs as requested by the Prescriber.
• Assess clients for medication efficacy and/or side effects.
• Provide medication education/medication groups for patients.
• Coordinate medication concerns with Prescriber.
• Assist with milieu management, as needed.
• Develop therapeutic alliance with clients and work effectively and with cultural competence with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Order, stock, and reconcile medication cabinets and order OTC medications and medical supplies.
• Ensure compliance with Health Department, OBH, Signal, and OSHA regulations.
• Complete and submit Medication Occurrence Reports on all medication errors.
• Perform routine medical procedures (blood pressure, pulse oximetry, temperature, urine drug testing, urine pregnancy testing, finger stick glucose testing, etc.).
• Collaborate with the Jefferson Center nursing team and other center teams, as needed.
• Identify risk factors for suicide, homicide, and/or grave disability and communicate to licensed staff if an involuntary mental health hold is warranted.
• Interact with clients to provide guidance, safety, stability, and direction, including de-escalating potentially dangerous situations.
• Work collaboratively with others to innovate and problem solve.
• Document history, physical and mental assessments, including a plan of care for patients.
• Provide individual patient and group education regarding basic medical information.
• Assist milieu staff to evaluate a patient’s medical needs.
• Perform Emergency Procedures: CPR, First Aid, Narcan, Epi Pen, AED Use.
• Perform evaluations to determine emergent or urgent acute patient needs.
• Coordinate Primary Care appointments and follow-ups.
• Coordinate prescription refills, including verbal orders from the Medical Director.
• Coordinate communication of medication side effects or problems with prescribing provider.
• Coordinate all aspects of patient care with the treatment team.
• Perform daily medication management audits.
• Implement and adhere to all Medication Protocols.
• Monitor medication quantities and refills, including disposal of discontinued medications.
• Perform OTC administration, reconciliation, and accounting.
• Maintain and update MAR.
• Document allergies.
• Submit and review medication occurrence reports.
• Train QMAP staff.
• Communicate directly with patients to explain and support emotional and physical aspects of care and treatment.
• Communicate effectively with patients using respectful bedside manner.
• Communicate directly with patients to determine acute need for medical support.
• Use de-escalation techniques.
• Communicate directly with the Program Coordinator and Program Manager in collaboration for co-supervision with the Nursing Manager and the Medical Director regarding patient care.
• Attend mandatory in-services and comply with individualized training plan.
• Participate in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda.
• Report high risk/problem cases and utilize a problem-solving approach.
• Meet with supervisor at specified intervals and times.
• Attend nursing meetings as scheduled.
• Work with patients to coordinate internal and external medical and psychiatric care.
• Exhibit enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, and flexibility in the work environment.
• Maintain cooperative and respectful relationships with patients, staff, and community partners.
• Provide effective and timely responses to patient requests, needs, and issues.
• Provide timely responses (within 24 working hours unless indicated as urgent) to phone calls, e-mails, and other requests.
• Volunteer to work on Center-wide committees and/or task forces as requested by leadership.
• Adapt to staffing needs, potentially being deployed to other units/teams within Jefferson Center for which qualified and credentialed.
• Utilize skills to support different teams or departments to address client needs while remaining within the scope of professional licensure and credentialing.

Benefits

• HIRING BONUS: $2,500 one-month anniversary, $2,500 6-month anniversary, $2,500 1-year anniversary ($7,500 total)