PSYCHIATRIC NURSE 3

Job Summary The Nevada Department of Corrections is recruiting for a Psychiatric Nurse 3 to be located at Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City. The incumbent in this position will serve as a Nursing Supervisor overseeing staff and offenders in a correctional hospital setting. Work responsibilities include providing professional nursing care to inmates, medication management and administering medications as prescribed by the agency psychiatrist and monitoring for side effects, maintaining client safety, assisting in physically restraining inmates who are a threat to themselves or others, triage and assess inmates’ physical and mental health status and recommend admission for inpatient or outpatient services, develop and implement nursing discharge plans, and educate patients and families on medications and special care requirements. Work shifts can include Monday‑Thursday or Tuesday‑Friday from 5 a.m. – 3 p.m. (position may be four 10‑hour days). 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. Essential Qualifications 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 NurseII in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above. Job Duties 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 multidisciplinary 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; ensure correct time, dosage and appropriate route of administration; count controlled medications to ensure security; monitor patients for medication side effects and/or allergic reaction; observe patients 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; 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 who 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 and 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. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Detailed knowledge of the 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. Benefits Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP). Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year. Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year. Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year. Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full‑time equivalency. Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program. No Nevada state income tax. Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment. Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay. The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages. #J-18808-Ljbffr