Registered Nurse RN - Psychiatric Care Unit

Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) provides direct care to patients using the nursing process. This includes ongoing assessment of the total patient. The RN provides interventions to treat the presenting symptoms and evaluates the effect of nursing interventions and patient’s responses. The RN functions as a team leader/member and resource to others. The RN delegates, oversees and provides direction to support staff. Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to establish goals and outcomes for each patient. The RN is responsible for meeting the needs of all types of patients.
Responsibilities

(40%)*  Regularly assesses patient’s needs and provides skilled nursing services as prescribed by the physician authorized plan of care and accepted standards of evidence based nursing practice.

 

(30%)*  Provides direct patient care including medication administration, treatments, education, call lights, assisting with transfers, responding to alarms, and other duties as appropriate.

 

(20%)*  Evaluates effectiveness of treatment plan and makes suggestions or participates in updating/revising the treatment plan in collaboration with other team members, utilizing current information to improve patient care.

 

(10%)*  The RN is knowledgeable and compliant with all local, state and federal regulations and guidelines as well as hospital specific policies and procedures relating to care provided in the medical center.

 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Demonstrates the MyMichigan Health mission, vision and values.

 

Behaves in a courteous, professional manner at all times with patients, visitors, and co-workers.

 

Demonstrates the ability to interpret information and reports pertinent data to the physician.

 

Educate patient/family according to assessed learning needs considering readiness, ability, preferences, and cultural / spiritual variables

 

Demonstrates the ability to organize and prioritize the needs of groups of patients or an individual patient.

 

Demonstrates a general ability to manage assignments and perform routine duties on the unit.

 

Instructs other team members when appropriate, explaining goals and rationale for individualized care.

 

Demonstrates understanding of clinical pathways and utilizes appropriately.

 

Maintains a professional demeanor in all situations.

 

Documents in an accurate, clear, and concise way and includes pertinent clinical data.

 

Shares information and reports significant changes and/or abnormal findings to appropriate team members in a timely manner.

 

Participates in regulatory surveys.

 

Participates in the performance improvement activities.

 

Assists with orientation and ongoing competencies.

 

Provides a safe and secure environment for patient care.

 

Maintains knowledge with current trends and professional standards within a specialty.

 

Demonstrates understanding of role in emergency preparedness procedures.

 

Follows hospital policy and procedures.

 

Administers medications as ordered.

 

Obtains and transcribes physician orders.

 

Has working knowledge of computers, phones, and the equipment on the unit.

 

Unit Specific Responsibilities

 

Provides for the age specific needs, ages of 18 and older, of the Mental health population served according to department standards and policies/procedures as evidenced by observation, documentation and peer feedback for the following:

 

Communicates information accurately and effectively (verbal and written) to treatment team, to patient, to family, to other appropriate agencies.

 

Demonstrates interest and pursues advancement of clinical skills (asks questions, seeks feedback, shares articles, attends continuing education opportunities, enrolls in classes).

 

Monitors and manages the milieu in order to maintain a safe environment.

 

Identifies and intervenes appropriately in any potential crisis.  Possesses crisis intervention skills.   Keeps updated on the use of nonphysical as well as physical management techniques and implements using sound judgment and according to established current policy.

 

Conducts groups as appropriate. Takes initiative to provide appropriate activities for patients when needed (such as during weekends or evenings.

 

Maintains patient dignity and rights.  Maintains confidentiality.

 

Collaborates effectively with other departments and agencies on behalf of the patient.

 

Monitors and documents changes in patient mental and physical status.

 

Completes admission assessments in an accurate, complete, and timely manner.

 

Correctly completes basic nursing tasks such as obtaining vital signs, weight, I&O, specimen collection and assistance with personal care.

 

Correctly assesses and utilizes seclusion and restraints and documents according to policy.

 

Behaves in a courteous, professional manner at all times with patients, visitors, and co-workers.

 

Conveys a positive attitude and works with others to constructively solve identified problems.

 

Knowledgeable about mental health code and is a patient advocate.

 

Knowledge and ability to work with probate courts and attorneys to resolve patient legal issues.

 

Responds to all disasters and codes promptly and correctly.

 

Completes nursing assessments, performs ongoing assessments and communicates patient status and changes to physician and other team members as appropriate

 

Attends treatment team meetings.

 

Provides nursing treatments, such as dressing changes, to all patients.

 

Provides medication teaching and ensures that the appropriate consents are signed.

 

Is a team leader when needed for decision-making regarding patient, family, or milieu issues.

 

MidMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft® Windows.  An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.

 

Certifications and Licensures

Credential:BLS: Basic Life Support

Equivalent Experience: Within 1 month of hire or transfer

Qualification Source: AHA

Essential: true

 

 

Credential:RN: Registered Nurse

Equivalent Experience: 

Qualification Source: MI

Essential: true

 

 

Credential:FINGERPRIN: Fingerprinting

Equivalent Experience: 

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

 

 

Credential:RECIPIENT: Recipient Rights

Equivalent Experience: Required within 30 days of hire or transfer into position.

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

 

 

Credential:ICHAT: iChat(annually on Hire Date)

Equivalent Experience: 

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

 

 

Credential:TEAM ADVANCED: Techniques for Effective Aggression Mgt

Equivalent Experience: Within 6 months of hire or transfer (Employees who are in this position on or before 12/31/2023 will have 24 months to complete this certification)

Qualification Source:

Essential: true

 

 

Required Education

Education: Associates Degree

Equivalent Experience: BSN/MSN is preferred.

Education Specialization: NRG

Essential: true

Other Information

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING AND SKILLS

Good interpersonal skills, ability to take initiative, to work as a team, and to work with a variety of patients' needs.

 

Mandatory Recipient Rights training within 30 days of hire and annually.

 

Cross training to designated sister unit within 6 months of hire.

 

Knowledge of psychiatric-mental health nursing as normally acquired through one or more years of experience in mental health nursing preferred. Psychiatric experience preferred.

 

National Certification as a Psychiatric Nurse preferred.

 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death. 

Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.

Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description. 

Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).

Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching. 

Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material.  Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.

Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.

Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling.  May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.

Physical Demand Level: Medium.  Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 21-50 lbs., frequently 34-66% of the workday 20 lbs. and or Walk/Stand/Push/Pull of Arm/Leg controls and constantly (67-100% or the workday) 10 lbs.