RN CASUAL - ADULT INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Job Summary/Overall Objectives The RN assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the area of all assigned psychiatric patients. The RN coordinates, directs and participates as an effective interdisciplinary team member. Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending education workshops, review professional publications, establish personal networks, and participate in professional societies. Assure quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards, making or recommending necessary adjustments, and following system/hospital and nursing division's philosophies and standards of care set by state board of nursing, state nurse practice act, and other governing agency regulations. Protect patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations. Document patient care services by charting in patient and department records. Maintain continuity among nursing teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs using Nurse Knowledge Exchange techniques. Maintain patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential. Identify patient care requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients, and other persons in a position to understand care requirements. Establish a compassionate environment by providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to patients, friends, and families. Promote patient's independence by establishing patient care goals, teaching patient/family to understand condition, medications, and self-care skills, and answering questions. calling for assistance from health care support personnel. Maintain a cooperative relationship among health care teams by communicating information, responding to requests, building rapport, and participating in team continuous quality improvement and problem-solving methods. Ensure operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements by following manufacturer's instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs, maintaining equipment inventories, and evaluating new equipment and techniques. Maintain nursing supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level, anticipating needed supplies, placing and expediting orders for supplies, verifying receipt of supplies, and using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results. Ensures that assessment of the patient and the direct and indirect patient care delivered is in accordance with the PA Nurse Practice Act, hospital policies, procedures and protocols and other professional standards of care. Process psychiatric emergencies as assigned, through assessment of patients' condition and collaboration with psychiatrist to affect a crisis resolution, process commitments and refer patients to appropriate treatment facilities. Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies. Maintains department protocols for identified psychiatric medications. Administers, monitors and documents efficacy, side effects and patient compliance. Conducts group therapy including medication groups, support groups and educational groups for patients, as well as serves as an information/referral source for families in these areas. Provides patients with individualized educational materials. Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program required. Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice. A Nursing refresher course may be required if employee hasn’t worked in an acute care setting for his / her most recent three consecutive years of professional employment Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing preferred. Current licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Pennsylvania required. This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but may serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department. Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.). Travel may be expected locally between System locations. This position requires you to be available to work for both Adult and Adolescent Units. Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations. When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required. Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift. Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift. Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift. Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift. Mechanical Hazards Operates Heavy Equipment Rotates All Shifts 8 Hours Shifts 10-12 Hours Shifts Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; Travel Between Sites Direct Patient Care Respirator Protective Equipment Chemo Units Chemo Units Chemicals (direct use) Exposure Wax Stripper (direct use) When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required. Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift. Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift. Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift. Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift. Keyboard/Computer Operation Lifting Floor to Knuckle When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.