Registered Nurse - Mental Health

Registered Nurse - Mental Health

The Registered Nurse demonstrates competence by integrating theoretical knowledge with clinical experience in the care of assigned patients and families. This role involves independently assessing, planning, and evaluating patient and family care using the systematic approach of the Nursing Process. The RN utilizes patterns of patient responses to guide practice and provides nursing care in accordance with professional standards, hospital policies, and the NY State Nurse Practice Act.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Skills and Knowledge:

• Completes thorough patient assessments addressing all pathophysiological and psychosocial needs.
• Identifies key nursing diagnoses from assessment data, prioritizing them with consideration for cultural, religious, and spiritual needs.
• Establishes data-driven, individualized plans of care and discharge plans, coordinating with other disciplines.
• Utilizes critical thinking to adapt care plans based on changes in patient needs and evaluates outcomes to make necessary alterations.
• Recognizes and intervenes in patient safety situations.
• Organizes and prioritizes work assignments based on patient needs and acuity, demonstrating effective nursing judgment.
• Documents patient progress, nursing interventions, and responses legibly and in a timely manner, adhering to hospital policy.

Communication / Collaboration:

• Advocates for patient well-being, respecting religious, cultural preferences, and privacy.
• Communicates patient data clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Individualizes communication based on patient/family assessment.
• Identifies, evaluates, and addresses patient and family learning needs, abilities, and readiness to learn through appropriate teaching and documentation.

Management of Care/Leadership:

• Delegates and supervises patient care appropriately.
• Functions as a charge nurse according to protocol.
• Assists the nurse manager with performance appraisals and participates in unit-based QI projects.
• Initiates unit-specific projects related to clinical care.
• Manages patient care within assigned time frames and actively participates in care coordination on the unit.
• Willingly floats to other areas of the hospital as needed.

Professional Development:

• Upholds professional standards of the registered nurse role through evidence-based practice, interactions, and appearance.
• Identifies potential areas of nursing research and assists with related projects.
• Participates in the orientation and precepting of new staff as needed.
• Accepts accountability for own practice and identifies potential learning needs of staff.

Quality Improvement and Safety:

• Administers medications safely, including preparation, pre/post assessment, and monitoring of patient responses.
• Promotes a culture of safety by fostering trust, participation, and collaboration among colleagues.
• Identifies potentially dangerous situations to management and takes appropriate action to minimize risk of injury.
• Reports errors and documents appropriately.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Experience:

Graduate Nurse considered.

Education:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Current licensure in New York State as a Registered Professional Nurse.
• Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Other certifications as required in the specialty area.

Other:

Individuals in this position may anticipate exposure to human blood and other potentially infectious materials, requiring adherence to universal precautions, proper use of personal protective equipment, and understanding of infection control policies. Must possess excellent customer service skills and demonstrate effective verbal and written communication abilities. Must be able to form effective working relationships with hospital personnel, the multidisciplinary team, patients, and families.

Key skills/competency:

• Registered Nurse
• Mental Health Nursing
• Patient Assessment
• Care Planning
• Nursing Process
• Critical Thinking
• Medication Administration
• Patient Safety
• Patient Advocacy
• Communication Skills