Behavioral Health Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

The Behavioral Health Nurse is a licensed professional who provides direct and indirect patient care services to patients in their home environment or alternative setting according to the organization’s policies and procedures; assesses patients and develops a plan of care in collaboration with the physician; provides nursing interventions (including phlebotomy, wound care, infusion, ostomy, catheter care and other skilled interventions) as ordered by the physician; instructs, motivates, and assists patients and/or caregivers in learning and improving the ability to live independently at home; and supervises and directs the efforts of the Licensed Practical Nurse and Home Health Aides when involved in the patient plan of care. Assists with community education and marketing activities, when requested.

Responsibilities

• Makes initial assessment visit utilizing observation/assessment skills and assists in developing the patient’s plan of care in coordination with the patient’s physician/allowed practitioner and Clinical Manager
• Manages medical illness per POC; performs psycho-biological interventions
• Conducts comprehensive medication reviews and ensures patients and their caregivers, if any, receive information regarding the patient’s medication regimen, including but not limited to frequency, duration, use, side effects, indications, and contraindications
• Provides education to the patient and their family regarding medication administration, actions, side effects, etc. (as above)
• Provides written materials for patients and their families
• Evaluates, teaches, and reviews medications and compliance; administers intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) medication
• Manages situational or other crises; performs assessments of potential self-harm or harm to others, and refers to the treating physicians as necessary
• Provides teaching and training activities that require skilled nursing personnel to teach a patient, the patient's family, or caregivers how to manage the treatment regimen; teaches self-care, mental and physical well-being, promotes independence and patient’s rights
• Promotes and encourages patient/caregiver to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment
• Provides supportive counseling psychotherapy and psycho-therapeutic interventions according to education and licensure
• Provides psychoeducation, such as teaching/training with disease process, symptom, and safety management, coping skills and problem solving
• Provides ongoing evaluation and management of the patient's care plan
• Provides counseling services or coordinates with a social worker to ensure counseling services are provided
• Ensures appropriate documentation, in accordance with coverage guidelines, to show the evaluation, psychotherapy and teaching activities needed by patients suffering from a diagnosed psychiatric disorder require active treatment by a psychiatrically trained nurse
• Provides general nursing interventions (including phlebotomy, wound care, infusion, ostomy, catheter care, and other skilled interventions) as ordered by the physician
• Provides all aspects of case management to enhance patient outcomes including communicating with other disciplines to ensure collaboration and coordination of care
• Monitors the patient’s condition and reports changes to the Clinical Manager, and the patient’s physician/ allowed practitioner when indicated
• Obtains, properly documents, and executes orders from the patient’s physician/allowed practitioner
• Ensure compliance with state/local/payer requirements and that documentation reflects the care provided and meets company, regulatory and payer standards; and completes documentation within the required timeframe
• Participates with after-hours coverage, including weekends and holidays, when necessary to meet the needs of patients, when requested
• Provides supervision of care provided by licensed practical nurses and home health aides when indicated
• Maintains universal precautions and infection control standards to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases
• Appropriately disinfects/sanitizes/transports equipment and supplies used for patient care; and uses proper medical waste disposal techniques
• Reports all incidents per agency policy and regulatory standards
• Provides professional guidance to referral sources and internal operational staff to ensure both patient and referral source satisfaction
• Assists with staff development and provides one-on-one clinical training to all field RNs and LPNs during home visits
• Collaborates with the Clinical Manager, Branch Director, and/or Administrator to ensure ongoing staff competencies
• Meets with and educates referral sources about the services of the agency by providing in-services, when requested
• Increases market share by sustaining and growing key established accounts, and by identifying and developing new referral sources through prospecting, lead generation and sales calls within an assigned territory, when requested
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, patient care conferences, in-services and other meetings as requested
• Participates in the agency’s QAPI program by communicating problem areas identified and recommendations to address problem areas; attendance at periodic QAPI meetings; and participation in performance improvement projects as requested
• Maintains confidentiality of patient related information and honor’s patient rights
• Other duties as assigned and within scope of practice

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) with a master’s degree with a specialty in psychiatric or mental health nursing and licensed in the state where practicing. The RN must have nursing experience (recommended within the last 3 years) in an acute treatment unit in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric home care, psychiatric partial hospitalization program or other outpatient psychiatric services; or
• RN with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and licensed in the state where practicing would qualify. The RN must have 1 year of recent nursing experience (recommended within the last 3 years) in an acute treatment unit in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric home care, psychiatric partial hospitalization program or other outpatient psychiatric services; or
• RN with a Diploma or Associate degree in nursing and licensed in the state where practicing would qualify. The RN must have 2 years of recent nursing experience (recommended within the last 3 years) in an acute treatment unit in a psychiatric hospital, psychiatric home care, psychiatric partial hospitalization program or other outpatient psychiatric services
• minimum of 2 years of home health experience preferred
• current CPR certification
• Basic clinical skills
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• General knowledge of computers and the ability to learn industry specific software applications
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with a keen attention to details
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to develop critical thinking skills, research situations, solve complex problems and deal with a variety of issues
• Ability to learn and complete various educational goals during orientation