PRN Outpatient RN

Job Title

Registered Nurse

Job Summary

The Registered Nurse is responsible for delivering quality general/psychiatric nursing care to patients who are hospitalized for treatment of psychiatric or emotional disorders, support the hospital and program philosophy of care, and ensure the safety and well-being of each patient.

Essential Duties

• Provide direct care to patients, which includes facilitating social and emotional needs, supervising medication schedules and evaluating patient progress.
• Collaborate with a variety of interdisciplinary professionals to determine and provide the best possible care for their patients.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe environment on the unit.
• Provide social support for patients by creating and encouraging patients to take advantage of opportunities such as support groups, social activities and other therapeutic measures.
• Conducts intake assessments through interviews with patients and relatives to gather case history.
• Plans and provides nursing care for patients.
• Makes nursing diagnosis of the medical and emotional status of patients and recommends treatment options.
• Consults with psychiatrists and other behavioral health staff in designing appropriate treatment plans for clients.
• Administers and notes reactions to psychotropic drugs and other medications.
• Arranges further medical attention when necessary.
• Assists the client in understanding the nature of emotional disturbances and accepting the need for treatment.
• Keep accurate written charts and records of patient activities and progress. Comply with laws, rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures.
• Use professional judgment to ascertain and to apply appropriate intervention techniques with patients in crisis.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and patients.
• Test for vital signs of pain and ensures treatments of pain.
• Documents all patient information on medical charts and follows physician's written orders.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Maintains accurate records and documentation of patient treatments, immunizations and laboratory results according to standard medical record keeping.
• Performs administrative assignments such as filing, answering phones, typing, and completing progress notes in the computer system.

San Antonio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital