Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse

SH-1043 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse - Petersburg, Virginia

Position Summary

The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse (RN) is an integral member of our clinical team, providing direct nursing care, medication management, and supportive counseling to clients with severe and persistent mental illness. This role requires a compassionate professional with strong clinical assessment skills, a deep understanding of psychopharmacology, and a commitment to advocating for client rights and recovery within a community-based setting.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Clinical Care & Medication Management:

• Administers oral and intramuscular medications as ordered by the psychiatrist/PMHNP.
• Performs phlebotomy, monitors lab results, and coordinates appropriate follow-up with the psychiatric and primary care teams.
• Conducts comprehensive nursing assessments of clients' physiological and psychiatric status, including medication efficacy and side effects.
• Performs urine drug screens as clinically indicated.
• Provides emergency crisis intervention and stabilizes clients with appropriate referrals.
• Facilitates the ordering, secure storage, and proper disposal of medications in compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

Client Support & Education:

• Provides individual and group supportive counseling and psychoeducation regarding medications, mental health disorders, and wellness.
• Conducts ongoing assessment of mental illness symptoms and client response to treatment.
• Educates clients to recognize and manage their mental health symptoms effectively.
• Delivers formal and informal education to clients, their caregivers, and other support systems.

Coordination, Communication & Collaboration:

• Schedules nursing appointments (e.g., labs, injections) and medical provider visits in a timely manner.
• Initiates and follows up on interdisciplinary discussions regarding client care with psychiatrists, PMHNPs, primary service providers, and other clinical staff.
• Communicates with external partners (pharmacies, physicians' offices, assisted living facilities, hospitals) to ensure continuity of care.
• Provides constructive nursing feedback to clinicians and assists in mentoring new medical services personnel.
• Acts as the lead clinical nursing professional in the supervisor's absence.

Administrative & Compliance Duties:

• Completes accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) on the day of service.
• Processes prior authorizations efficiently.
• Assists in auditing medical records for compliance with orders, screenings, consents, and coding.
• Maintains clinical equipment and inventory, reporting needs to the supervisor.
• Adheres to all standards for confidentiality, blood-borne pathogens, and safety.
• Attends and supports required trainings, in-services, and workshops.

Professional Conduct:

• Demonstrates excellent customer service, professional communication, and teamwork.
• Upholds and promotes the mission, vision, and values of District 19 CSB.
• Treats all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Maintains a professional image and complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.

Related Duties

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Associate's Degree in Nursing (ASN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of clinical experience in an inpatient or outpatient psychiatric setting as a Registered Nurse (RN); three (3) years preferred.
• Current, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Current CPR and First Aid (FA) certification.
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (RN-BC) is strongly preferred.
• Valid Virginia driver's license with an acceptable driving record (point balance of -6 or higher).

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Advocate for the rights of individuals with mental illness to live, work, and receive services in the community.
• Skilled in establishing supportive, trusting relationships with this population.
• Strong clinical assessment, phlebotomy, communication, and documentation skills.
• In-depth knowledge of psychotropic medications, including uses, side effects, and interactions.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders and ability to conduct urine drug screens.
• Proficiency in basic computer skills and electronic health records (EHR).
• Ability to problem-solve using critical thinking and to multi-task with limited supervision.
• Must be able to perform light physical work (lifting, bending, stooping, reaching).

Syra Health Corp is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.