Mental Health Nurse

Receive 17% Weekday Nights, 26% Weekend Nights and 15% Weekend Day shift differentials Compensation Disclaimer Compensation for this role is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, and other business and organizational considerations. Department: UPC Inpatient/Geriatrics FTE: 0.90 Full Time Shift: Days Position Summary: Provide professional nursing care for assigned patients in a mental health/psychiatric environment. Design nursing care plans and assist in the development of overall care plans for psychiatric patients, ensure administration of appropriate overall care in a manner conducive to recovery. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. Patient care assignment may include pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups. Detailed responsibilities: * PATIENT CARE - Interview, examine, and assess the health status of psychiatric patients with various cognitive, emotional, developmental, social, and behavioral disorders * PATIENT CARE - Observe patient behavior, activities, and mental status; perform triage and crisis intervention * PATIENT CARE - Write treatment plans; coordinate patient drug and procedure activities; administer medication and treatment; provide and coordinate nursing care of assigned patients; may facilitate group therapy and/or education sessions * PATIENT CARE - Chart and report observed symptoms, reactions, treatments, and changes in the patients' conditions; collect and document data and information; may perform computerized data entry * PATIENT CARE - Perform nursing intakes, draw blood and other patient specimens; may perform or coordinate laboratory tests * PATIENT CARE - Educate patients and families on treatment regimens, management of side effects, and compliance with the treatment plans; provide emotional support and acts as advocate for patients and families * PATIENT CARE - Provide information and facilitate communication between physicians, medical students, staff, patients, families, and community; coordinate and consult with a milieu of service providers * POLICY & PROCEDURE - Follow established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards * DEVELOPMENT - Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops * ADMINISTRATION - Perform various administrative functions such as monitoring expenditures and preparing reports and correspondence; may participate in a variety of research projects to develop service plans; may propose changes to program policies and procedures * PRECEPTOR - Participate in orientation, and having successfully completed preceptor training, assume precepting and evaluation responsibilities of new personnel * TESTS AND PROCEDURES - Assist with special tests and procedures, ensure proper consent has been obtained * EMERGENCY MEASURES - Assist with or institute emergency measures for sudden, adverse developments in patients * MEDICATION - Administer medication, including IV medication, via the Seven Rights; document and communicate clinical findings * ENVIRONMENT - Maintain a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients/families in accordance with Hospitals standards * PATIENT SAFETY 1 - Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols * PATIENT SAFETY 2 - Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes * PATIENT SAFETY 3 - Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk * PATIENT SAFETY 4 - Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner * PATIENT SAFETY 5 - Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right" Qualifications Education: Essential: * Program Graduate Nonessential: * Bachelor's Degree Education specialization: Essential: * Nationally Accredited Nursing Graduate Nonessential: * Nursing Experience: Essential: Nonessential: Bilingual English, Spanish, Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Zuni, or Navajo 1 year directly related experience Credentials: Essential: * CPR for Healthcare/BLS Prov or Prof Rescuers w/in 30 days * RN in NM or as allowed by reciprocal agreement by NM * Obtain and maintain Agressive Behav Cer w/in 30 days of hire Physical Conditions: Heavy Work: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects or people. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work. Working conditions: Essential: * Sig Haz: Physical risk/injuries due to combative patients * Sig Hazard: Chemicals, Bio Hazardous Materials req PPE * Tuberculosis testing is completed upon hire and additionally as required Sign-On Bonus Available Relocation Assistance Available Department: Registered Nurse