RN (Registered Nurse)

Unit Notes
Department: Detox
# of Beds: Max capacity is 20 patients

Nurse:Patient Ratios: 2 nurses for 20 patients 1:10 ratio, 2 patient care technicians, Same for nights and days

"Required certifications: BLS, ACLS, (PALS is preferred- for floating)
Also required before starting is one of the following (deescalation training) certifications:
Handle with Care
TRUST Training
CPI- Crisis Prevention Institute
PMCS- Preventing and Managing Crisis Situations
MOAB"

Patient Populations/Common diagnoses: Patients are 18+ coming straight form the streets to this unit. After spending 4/5 days on this unit they will be transfered to the Rehab unit. Patients have some medical co-morbidities: HTN, DM to substance use disorder, and psychiatric comorbidies: bipolar, depression, and anxiety, etc.


Experience or 'Must have' skills: Need someone that can really assess detox symptoms- looking for MedSurg experience. Do not need psych experience although that would be preferred. Must have phlebotomy skills and experience obtaining EKGs

Do you ever have IV's on this unit? no- in the event of a medical emergency may start an IV

EMR: Allscripts

Is there a Charge Nurse &/or House Supervisor on each shift? Does the charge nurse take an assignment? "Charge Nurse- Assistant nursing care coordinators (ANCC) run the unit 24 hours, travelers could be placed in charge role and been there awhile.
ANCC-Charge will take an assignment. And is counted into the 2 RNs on the unit
During business we have a PCM in the building, during nonbusiness hours would be available over the phone

Do you use physical restraints on this unit? No- if in serious DTs will be transferred

Are there nurse aids or mental health specialists on this unit? Ratios? Duties? "Yes, 2 techs each shift


Job Duties: safety checks, room checks, vitals, weights on Saturday, ADLs, directly observing patient care, rounding every 15 minutes, phlebotomy (must have prior experience- will do some re-education on unit), blood glucose checks, EKGs, 1:1s, and assisting nursing staff as needed

Is RT available if needed? If patients have oxygen or need treatments does RT do these? no

Are there tele/monitor techs on this unit? Are RNs required to read their own strips? What brand are the tele monitors? No telemetry, EKGs if needed will be done by RNs

Do not guarantee block scheduling - Excessive call-ins and tardies are taken seriously and could lead to termination.

Weekend Requirements every other weekend

Is there call or a standby requirement? n/a

Floating Requirements "Will float to Rehab (sister unit), may float to clinic to help out, and can float to psychiatry if there is a need and they have the experience. Psychiatry is in a building right beside here, if floating at night security will escort. Travelers are first to float.
Float to any adolescents or adult psych unit; 1 orientation shift in inpatient, 1 LRC, 1 CPEP, 1 Detox."

Scrub Color/Dress Code RNs wear Royal Blue, LPNs Kelly Green, and PCTs/CNAs/MAs wear Maroon Red

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