Registered Nurse Adult Behavioral Health

Job Description Summary

The MUSC Orangeburg BHU is a 14-bed inpatient mental health unit treating adult patients. Patient rooms are a mixture of semi-private and private rooms equipped with cameras for continuous monitoring and an activity room for daytime activities. We serve adult patients (18-60) with mental health diagnoses and behavioral disturbances. The RN will work with a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and assistants in a therapeutic environment to provide treatment to patients in mental health crises. RNs on BHU will be cross trained to work the EmPATH unit.

Full Time
36 hours per week (3 x 12-hour shifts)
Every other weekend obligation

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type?

Regular

Cost Center

CC004757 ORBG - Behavioral Health Center (IP)

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

Health-27

Scheduled Weekly Hours

36

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Summary

Provide professional nursing care within an assigned unit and coordinate care planning with other disciplines.

Work Environment

Regularly exposed to infectious, contagious and blood borne diseases. Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances. Exposed to unpleasant elements including accidents, injuries and illnesses. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations. Must be able to handle emergency or crisis situations. Is occasionally subject to irregular hours. Occasional exposure to radiation.

Supervisory Responsibilities

LPN, CNA, WS, Tech, MOA

Financial Responsibilities

Financial stewardship of supplies and resources.

Essential Functions

Documents initial nursing histories, assesses patients conditions per policy requirements and develops individual care plans for patients taking into consideration their physical, psycho-social, environmental, cultural, and spiritual needs. Assists physicians with examinations, procedures and other processes related to direct patient care according to established policies and procedures. Evaluates outcomes of patient care, consult with other specialists as required and revises nursing care processes as necessary to obtain optimal patient care. Coordinates discharge planning. Monitors and records patients condition. Maintains confidentiality. Using an interdisciplinary approach, formulates a teaching plan based on identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning [including family teaching] as appropriate. Coordinates patients ordered diagnostic and therapeutic services. Communicates patients condition during hand-offs. Performs other miscellaneous and related duties as assigned by the director of nursing, charge nurse and/or medical staff. Performs charge duties as requested by director, after six (6) months nursing experience and appropriate training as required. Rounds on patients per policy to improve clinical outcome. Orients or mentors new staff members. Listens effectively to the patient to facilitate care requirements. Provides first line customer service response. Follows the MUSC Standards of Behaviors. Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements are primarily related to the essential functions of any job. In order to perform the essential functions of this position, you must be able to stand up to twelve (12) hours, walk, sit, use hands, reach, stoop, kneel, talk, hear and smell. Must be able to lift or exert energy up to 35 pounds. The Regional Medical Center has purchased patient transfer/lift devices to reduce the physical lifting of patients. Safe patient handling equipment is to be utilized for the transfer and lifting of patients greater than 35 pounds.

Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more) color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe area that can be seen move up/down or left/right) and depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances).

Mental Requirements

Must possess the ability to read and interpret business or safety manuals, clinical or technical procedures or regulations. Ability to write reports, correspondence and/or manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups, patients, families, other employees and medical staff. Ability to perform more complex math functions (add, subtract, multiply and divide) to include calculating percentages, averages, volume, ratio and interpreting graphs - using numbers and units of measure. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with concrete and abstract concepts and interpret verbal, nonverbal and written instructions. Ability to multitask and prioritize assigned and assumed responsibilities to complete patient care as necessary.

Population Served

This position primarily interacts with all age groups and provides direct patient care. All staff members must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to meet the physical, psycho/social, educational, safety, and related needs of the persons in the assigned work area. Staff members must be able to understand and respond to the expectations and needs of patients, family members and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements: Associate's Degree required. Licensure as a registered nurse by the South Carolina Board of Nursing or a compact state. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time.
2. Proficiency in manual dexterity and fine motor skills for tasks such as taking patient vitals, administering injections, or conducting physical exams.
3. Capacity to lift and move patients or medical equipment as needed.
4. Visual acuity and color perception to accurately read medical charts, documents, and monitors.
5. Auditory ability to effectively communicate with patients and colleagues, as well as to perceive important sounds such as alarms or patient instructions.
6. Stamina and resilience to handle the physical and emotional demands of providing patient care, including long shifts and potentially stressful situations.
7. Mobility to navigate clinical environments, including moving between patient rooms, offices, and other areas of the facility.
8. Compliance with infection control protocols and proper use of personal protective equipment to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here:

Why Should You Work With MUSC?

At the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), we offer nurses a variety of career paths. As a new RN grad or experienced nurse, you can enjoy a supportive team environment, collaborate across disciplines, and help us deliver award-winning patient care to our communities.

Your Input Matters

Nurses are essential to everything we do, and we value your input. Participate in nurse-driven research and help drive practice improvement through our shared governance councils.

Your Role in Patient Care

Our patients and families are the central focus of our care model. You help us build the foundation of patient care in your relationships with your patients, their families, and your colleagues. 

Your Future at MUSC

We want to help you become the patient advocate and leader you're meant to be. MUSC offers professional and personal development opportunities at every stage of your nursing career. 

__________________________________________________________

The Medical University of South Carolina

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $7.1 billion. The 31,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.