Registered Nurse

Position Summary The Registered Nurse works in a dynamic multidisciplinary team providing treatment services according to the Discovery Behavioral Health Clinical Model. Essential Job Functions Meets with each potential new admission and completes face-to-face assessment. Screens for medical appropriateness for admission to the facility and consults with the medical/psychiatric provider to receive orders for admission. Supports the process by checking belongings, providing searches, etc. as needed. Completes initial nursing assessment and full medical admission process upon admission for each patient. Ensures all orders from medical/psychiatric providers are carried out. Ensures that all patients have signed informed consent for medications prior to the first dose. Administers medications as prescribed and administers PRN medications and documents effectiveness within timelines. Must demonstrate knowledge of Axis I diagnosis and symptoms. Develops and initiates the Nursing Care Plan. Ensures proper narcotic diversion protocols as per policy are completed each shift. Meets regularly with medical staff and treatment team to discuss patient care, needs, and interventions. Provides assessment of medical problems as needed. Performs primary first aid and determines need for physician notification. Performs vital signs, basic evaluative procedures, and tests. Provides health education to patients and staff. Responsible to ensure all the medications needed by the patients are ordered appropriately and available in the facility. Manages and orders supplies and keeps a fully stocked and operational nursing station. Effectively and professionally communicates with families/loved ones, as appropriate. Able to effectively and professionally establish rapport with patients. Provides milieu management throughout the treatment experience and communicates with all team members. Objectively and accurately documents patient progress as required by policy. Assists with discharge process. Assesses patient suicidality and possibility of danger to self or others. Communicates with referral sources and outpatient providers for continuity of care upon admission, midpoint, and discharge, as needed. Makes timely requests for any absences and ensures coverage for any scheduled shift. Manages patient’s medical needs including schedule appointments, complete referral/ prior authorizations for medical treatments and tests as indicated. Oversees the medication management system that includes, but not limited to, medication planning, storage, ordering and transcribing, administration, monitoring and evaluation. Other duties as assigned. Substance Use Disorder Division Additional Job Functions Monitoring of CIWA/COW scores for patients on detoxification protocols. Knowledge of detoxification medication, withdrawal symptoms, and medical complications that can occur in detox. Eating Disorder Division Additional Job Functions Required to sit at a meal and a snack on every shift. Will work during meal periods to provide supervision and support to patient. Maintains NG tube and administers bolus feeds when appropriate. Knowledge, Education, & Experience Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred. ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) accepted. Holds a current RN license in good standing. One year experience preferred working in mental health, substance use, or eating disorders field. Ability to draw blood required. Employment Status: Full-time Schedule: Three 12-hour shifts per week Work Location: On-site – McLean VA Discovery Behavioral Health seeks to build a diverse staff that is reflective of the patients we serve and the communities where we work. DBH encourages multiple perspectives, experiences, and strives to hire and retain a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. #J-18808-Ljbffr