Registered Nurse- Mental Health Care

FT Registered Nurse

The Registered Nurse (RN) assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and provides nursing care to assigned patients utilizing the nursing process to facilitate the patient's progression toward optimal health. The RN provides, directs, and guides patient/family teaching and readiness for discharge to prepare the patient for self, home, or further professional care. The RN is actively involved in department activities, transdisciplinary team activities, and LifeCare activities to ensure individualized, patient-centered health care for all patient populations admitted to LifeCare Hospital.

understands and demonstrates appropriate behavior when interacting with patients in the adult (18-65 years of age) and geriatric (65 and older) populations.

Oversees and directs delegated functions of LPNs/LVNs, CNAs, Patient Care Technicians, Mental Health Assistants, Monitor Technicians, and Unit Clerks.

The knowledge and skills necessary to perform the position requirements are demonstrated through the successful completion of competencies established for the position, to include the population served and other special needs of patients or customers served by the department.

Adheres to LifeCare policies, procedures, all safety plans, and all standards imposed by regulatory organizations.

Assesses the needs of patients in basic and complex situations, identifies potential or actual needs, and communicates changes in patient status, needs, or condition to the supervisor and physician when applicable and documents in the patient chart.

Plans the care of patients and their families in response to identified needs, throughout the continuum of care, in collaboration with the transdisciplinary team. Documents the plan and revisions.

Implements the plan of care by providing nursing interventions directly and/or appropriately delegating care to others, demonstrating competent and proficient nursing practice. Responds appropriately and assists others in responding to emergencies calmly and effectively.

Initiates and coordinates the evaluation of the care provided and documents the patient's response to care provided by nursing and other transdisciplinary team members.

Facilitates the identification and resolution of patients' admission, transfer, and discharge needs throughout the course of care in collaboration with the transdisciplinary team. Identifies individual learning needs of patients and families and provides education in a manner that meets their special needs.

Communicates with the Charge Nurse or Nursing Supervisor on changing patient needs or acuity for appropriate staffing. We develop our treatment plans in collaboration with physicians, clinicians, and the patient's families.

Graduate of an approved Registered Nurse program is required.

Current Registered Nurse license in the state where practicing is required. ACLS certification is required within six (6) months of hire for ICU/high-ops nurses. ACLS is optional for all non-ICU/high-ops nurses. All Registered Nurses must maintain required licensure/certification while employed.

Ability to lift, move, transport, and position patients, equipment, or supplies/materials up to fifty (50) pounds without assistance; or over fifty (50) pounds with the aid of mechanical assistance or assistance of personnel.

Range of motion and mobility of self by positioning or moving around the hospital to include sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing, and reaching.

Ability to communicate with patients, families, physicians, co-workers, and visitors to be able to exchange accurate information regarding patient condition and health status. Ability to exchange and express information using language and communicate information effectively.

Ability to monitor/assess performance of yourself or other individuals to make improvements or take corrective action.

Ability to use scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Ability to respond and/or resolve an emergency or crisis calmly and professionally as a team member or team leader.

Ability to collect and analyze numerical, written data, and verbal communication to reach logical conclusions, and ability to determine the time, place, and sequence of operations or actions.

Ability to review, assess, record, or type data quickly and accurately.

Ability to observe and recognize or identify changes in a patient's health status or condition.

Ability to view and operate the required equipment.

Ability to determine resources needed to provide quality patient care.

Ability to respond or adjust a modality of therapy when a deviation from routine care is required.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

Ability to work alone or with minimal supervision.

Contact with patients, families, co-workers, physicians, and visitors.

Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements: Ability to operate nursing call system, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, computer, printer, and calculator.