Registered Nurse – Acute Psych

Registered Nurse – Acute Psych

Requirements

• CA RN license
• BLS
• Kaweah Health approved crisis intervention training within 60 days of hire/transfer
• Preferred: BSN, MSN, or currently enrolled in RN-BSN program.

Responsibilities

• The nurse’s practice is guided by the Code of Ethics.
• Professional behavior including interactions with co-workers.
• Displays our values; treats everyone respectfully.
• Identifies high risk patients and initiates intervention of ancillary department.
• Decisions and actions on behalf of patients/residents are determined in an ethical manner.
• Maintains patient confidentiality within legal and regulatory parameters.
• Acts as a patient/resident advocate and assists patients/residents in developing skills so they can advocate for themselves.
• Delivers care in a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner that preserves patient autonomy, dignity and rights.
• Utilizes nursing process-assessed via direct observation, peer reviews, audits, documentation: Assessment-successful completion of Physical Assessment validation, Diagnosis, Planning, Outcome identification, Implementation, Evaluation.
• The nurse uses the results of quality of care/performance improvement activities to initiate changes in nursing practice: Collects clinical data to monitor quality and effectiveness of nursing care.
• Identifies aspects of care that are important for quality monitoring and formulates recommendations to improve nursing practice or patient/resident outcomes.
• Assists in development and implementation of policies, procedures, and practice guidelines to improve quality of care and nursing practice.
• Participates on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate clinical practice or health services relating to patient/resident care.
• Participates in QI studies: involved in task force or committee. Implements suggestions for improving outcomes per unit study results. Independently identifies problematic areas and recommends problem solving. Shares findings of studies, audits with others. Seeks improvement independently.
• Collaborates and communicates with the patient/resident, family, and other health care providers. Utilizes peer review and observation. Monitors documentation for appropriate referrals: Formulates the plan of care and involves patient/residents in decisions related to care and the delivery services.
• Makes referrals, including provisions for continuity of care, as needed.
• TEAM LEADER: Is a primary clinical resource for staff on assigned unit. Is a role model and mentor for staff. Acts as the Nurse Manager Representative in his/her absence. Provides leadership and support for staff through effective problem solving and decision making.
• Is a resource for staff: Is a clinical resource, Is a role model, Provides leadership and support for staff, Supports nurse preceptors and new employees during orientation, Provides input on employee evaluations, Assures float staff receive orientation to the floor and feel welcome.
• Manages Staff and Patient flow: Makes and adjusts staff assignments based on the abilities of staff and needs of the patient population. Assigns admissions and arranges transfers in coordination with the Nurse Manager, House Supervisor and/or Bed Coordinator. Assures that shift report starts on time. Monitors breaks to provide adequate staffing. Determines staffing needs for the next shift and communicates those needs to the Staff Facilitator or Nursing Supervisor. Assigns staff to ensure equipment checks are completed: PCX controls, crash cart, refrigerator temps, red books and narcotic counts. Coordinates care in high-risk/emergent situations and keeps Nurse Manager/Director/Nursing Supervisor aware of critical patients and any unit issues. Ensures collaboration between staff, physicians, other providers, and departments involved in the care of patients on their unit. Keeps lines of communication open. Ensures patient care issues are documented and reported. Assures the appropriate nurse completes a Statement of Concern. Understands and utilizes Medical Staff and Kaweah Health’s chain of command. Provides employee guidance and alerts the Nurse Manager of counseling needs. Provides patient care as needed. Makes fiscally responsible decisions regarding staffing and use of patient supplies.
• IF ASSIGNED AS ADMISSION NURSE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR: Notifies attending physician and Case Manager on patient care unit of pending problems and UR issues. Assists the Charge Nurse in patient unit assignment for appropriate level of care, i.e., based upon patient status and previous admission activity. Communicates pertinent information, such as infections, diseases. Accepts and records physician orders when necessary and is responsible for the delivery of orders to the appropriate nursing unit. Completes order communication. Ensures patients are assigned rooms in an expedient manner utilizing all critical resources within the organization. Assists as needed with coordination of patients admission and discharges from KHMH. Triages and prioritizes calls based upon patient needs including level of care and bed availability. Asks appropriate questions and clinical decisions made are based upon utilization guidelines, diagnosis, level of care and bed availability. Works with the transferring facility to ensure all necessary paperwork, studies are sent with the patient. Gathers accurate information from referring facility and communicates to all involved KH personnel, including accepting physicians and staff. Has knowledge of overall hospital policies, services at KHMH. Facilitates and enhances communication, displaying honesty and respect. Promotes a cooperative working relationship with the patient care areas, physician/clinic office staff, physicians, other disciplines and public. Maintains focus on patient. Assists with training of new RN staff members on job functions, completing the admission process and attaining/implementing correct admission orders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred: BSN, MSN, or currently enrolled in RN-BSN program.