PSYCHIATRIC NURSE 3

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is currently recruiting for a full-time Psychiatric Nurse 3 position in Las Vegas, Nevada. This recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur in the following program: Desert Regional Center. Incumbents provide full clinical and administrative supervision to a team of Psychiatric Nurse 2 as a first-line supervisor including providing work direction, assigning and reviewing work, establishing work performance standards, evaluating performance, and providing counseling and discipline to subordinate professional staff. This role will provide and oversee professional nursing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Complete comprehensive nursing assessments and updates based on information obtained from medical records and interviews with persons served, support providers, and families. Provide consultation/guidance for health care and follow-up to individuals, providers and other team members. Assist persons served with accessing health care resources and recommended preventative care. Provide education and assistance in prevention, wellness, nutrition and recommended screening activities. ADSD fosters a positive, inclusive, and diverse work environment that values innovation, teamwork, and collaboration. The mission of ADSD is to empower individuals and their support systems by providing resources for disabilities and aging - connecting Nevadans to services and improving their quality of life.

Under general supervision of a higher level nurse, Psychiatric Nurses provide professional nursing care to individuals with developmental delays, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities or social, emotional and/or behavioral disorders, in an institution or out-patient setting in accordance with the authorized scope of practice specified in the Nurse Practice Act.

Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse and three years of professional nursing experience, two of which included working in a facility or institution with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities; OR one year of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse II in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Identify patient health care needs utilizing physical and behavioral professional nursing assessment skills; make comprehensive clinical observations and evaluations of health needs including subtle abnormalities and changes in condition; record and report indicative signs and symptoms of physical and mental condition.

Prepare nursing care plans by assessing patient’s psychological and physical condition and conferring with other health care professionals; evaluate needs and develop nursing diagnoses, plans for treatment, services and health education based on the present and predicted needs of the patient; identify immediate and long-term care goals; review and revise care plans as needed.

Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment teams by coordinating health services and treatment; collaborate with professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure optimum health care.

Administer medications intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, topically and orally as prescribed by a physician or designee as allowed in the practice setting; ensure correct time, dosage and appropriate route of administration; count controlled medications to ensure security; monitor patient for medication side effects and/or allergic reaction; observe patient to determine if medication is effective for prescribed treatment and document; if necessary, notify appropriate personnel of action taken.

Maintain safety, health and wellbeing of individuals in the therapeutic environment as allowed in the practice setting; may assist in physically restraining patients who are a threat to themselves or others and may be hostile and combative; follow facility procedures regarding techniques and duration of confinement; notify appropriate personnel of action taken and document as required.

Triage and assess patient’s physical and mental health status and recommend admission for inpatient or outpatient services according to established policies and criteria.

May serve as a community liaison nurse, assisting patients in making the transition from institution to the community or assisting patients which are community based, by providing a broad range of nursing services.

Assist in physical examinations and diagnostic testing; obtain samples for laboratory tests as ordered by a physician or designee; perform assigned laboratory tests.

Develop/implement nursing discharge plans; work with other disciplines to coordinate services; ensure that appropriate referrals are made; educate patients and families on medications, drug interactions, and special care requirements.

Take timely, effective and proper measures to provide and maintain hygienic environments.

Provide emergency medical treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid required to stabilize a patient’s condition and prevent more serious complications pursuant to established policy.

Document nurse progress notes in medical charts including patient’s health status, changes in condition, and medications administered; review charts for changes in orders and transcribe; prepare written reports, records and summaries; perform quality improvement activities such as auditing charts and compiling statistics; ensure all applicable regulatory standards are met including documentation of the care delivery process.

Perform quality assurance and/or utilization review audits and compliance activities; ensure effective and efficient patient care and adherence to community standards of nursing care and/or standards established by accrediting bodies.

Carry out therapeutic procedures which provide for the emotional and physical comfort of patients.

Provide education to patients and their families related to good health habits and answer questions regarding prescribed treatment; provide health related education and training to staff.

Prepare and maintain medical treatment rooms, ensuring supplies are available and ready for use; order and stock medical and related supplies and equipment as needed.

Assist patients with activities of daily living and encourage them to perform activities without help as appropriate; supervise and/or participate in therapeutic interventions; serve as a positive role model at all times.

Coordinate and/or participate in clinics; obtain prior approval for billing purposes as needed; schedule appointments; provide or arrange for transportation; conduct screening tests; give immunization injections; create and maintain associated records.

Supervise paraprofessional and technical staff which may include Licensed Practical Nurses, Mental Health or Developmental Support Technicians, and/or Forensic Specialists as assigned; delegate to other personnel direct care duties consistent with their licensure, certification and competency and as allowed in the practice setting.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under direction, incumbents perform all of the duties described in the series concept, and serve as a first-line supervisor including providing work direction, and resolving patient care and staffing issues; assign and review work, establish work performance standards, evaluate performance, and provide counseling and discipline to subordinate professional staff in an assigned work area on a shift.

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Detailed knowledge of: documentation process.

Working knowledge of : quality assurance and/or utilization review audit and compliance activities including applicable regulatory standards; staff education and training techniques; organization and communication techniques. General knowledge of: staffing requirements for a shift; principles and practices of supervision.

Ability to : deal effectively with personnel and staffing issues; respond to and resolve patient care issues; participate in internal investigations.