RN - Part-Time- Night Shift - Mental Health Unit

Location
1600 West Avenue J, Lancaster, CA, 93534, United States

Base Pay
$46.74 - $77.17 / Hour

Job Category
Registered Nurse, Behavioral Health Unit

Employee Type
Regular

Job Objective
Professional Registered Nurse working in the Mental Health Department will be oriented to the Standards of Professional Practice during the initial orientation phase.

Role Overview
Under the direction of the Director of Mental Health Services, the nurse is accountable for the psychiatric nursing care of patients within the department, guided by policies and procedures of the Medical Center.

Duties and Responsibilities
Safety

The nurse will ensure that each patient is wearing the correct hospital name band to positively identify the patient prior to initiating treatment, medications and procedures.

Provides nursing interventions to meet the physical and emotional needs of the patient while acting as a role model through active participation in direct patient care to different patient populations, including adults in an open unit and/or locked unit setting.

Observes patient for any symptoms or signs of intolerance to medications administered and reports any Adverse Drug Reactions to Pharmacy as per policy.

If seclusion or restraint is necessary for patient safety, the Registered Nurse will be able to apply restraints and/or place the patient in seclusion as per Medical Center policy.

Facilitates face‑to‑face assessment and documentation of patients in restraints and seclusion within one hour.

Quality OF Care

Completes Firearm assessment and advisement on patients during admission.

Assesses patients from the Emergency Department for possible admission to the MH Department and completes required paperwork when documenting such assessment.

Provides assessments and evaluations throughout the Medical Center as needed.

Is able to lead different group sessions.

Participates actively in Performance Improvement Teams/Committees in the department.

Provides patient education on a routine basis, documenting all patient teaching on established hospital form(s).

Reviews and updates plan of care on patients in the department, documenting revisions in the patient's medical record.

All part‑time and full‑time Mental Health Nurses must become LPS certified as soon as eligible to take the LA County examination; Per Diem nurses are encouraged to take the examination.

The nurse takes action to achieve performance goals.

Hand‑off shift‑to‑shift report.

24‑hour chart check.

Evidence Based Practice & Performance Improvement
Each nurse participates in the management of the patient by ensuring the following is completed each shift:

Evidence based practice

Performance Improvement

Individual Practice Evaluation

Evaluates own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and regulations.

Engages in self‑assessment and/or formal performance appraisal regularly, identifying strengths and areas for development.

Seeks and reflects on constructive feedback from the team, patients, family and other healthcare providers.

Takes action to achieve performance goals.

Collegiality

Shares knowledge, skills and experiences with colleagues.

Provides peers and other healthcare providers with constructive feedback in a respectful manner.

Interacts with colleagues to enhance own professional nursing practice.

Contributes to a learning environment conducive to healthcare education.

Ethics

Guided by the ANA Code of Ethics, ASMSN Ethics of Care, and ethical principles.

Maintains patient confidentiality within legal and regulatory parameters.

Acts as a patient advocate and helps others develop advocacy skills.

Delivers care in a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner sensitive to patient diversity.

Respects patient autonomy, dignity and rights.

Utilizes available resources for ethical decision making.

Collaboration

Communicates with the team regarding patient care and the nurse’s role.

Collaborates with the team to formulate the plan of care and make related decisions.

Consults with other providers and initiates referrals as appropriate.

Research

Questions and evaluates practice using best evidence to develop appropriate care plans.

Participates in activities supporting clinical inquiry appropriate to nurse’s level of expertise.

Assesses safety, effectiveness, availability and cost in choosing care options.

Assists patients and families in identifying and securing appropriate services.

Assigns/delegates care aspects per California Nurse Practice Act, based on assessment of needs, patient condition, potential harm and provider competencies.

BACK‑UP/RELIEF CHARGE NURSE

Thorough knowledge of mental disorders and ability to care for psychosocial, cultural, spiritual and learning needs of patients and families.

Serves as a role model, demonstrates effective interpersonal skills, and supports AVMC mission, vision and values.

Maintains awareness of admissions, transfers, and discharges during shift and completes necessary paperwork.

Ensures staff follows unit program schedules and that the unit functions efficiently.

Provides leadership, planning and supervision of other staff members.

Maintains adequate staffing per department Staffing Plan and uses pre‑printed assignment sheets appropriately.

Acts as a professional resource to medical staff and troubleshoots staff issues.

Assists with patient reassessments and communicates patient and family satisfaction.

Refers compliments and/or complaints in writing to the Director of Mental Health Services promptly.

Obtains Family Questionnaire from patients’ families/visitors as needed.

Maintains and completes the patient acuity/staffing variance report.

Submits written shift report via e‑mail to the Director of Mental Health Services at shift end.

Supervises proper use of supplies, time and equipment.

Assists in orienting new employees and performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Meets all the skills and abilities of a Registered Nurse for Nursing Services.

Knowledge
Knowledge of the legal aspects of psychiatric/mental health nursing.

Abilities

Writes 5150 applications for involuntary detention (full‑time and part‑time RNs).

Countersigns 14‑day and 30‑day holds (part‑time/full‑time RN).

AVMC Values

Patients Come First - Listening actively, communicating with patients and families and placing safety as a top priority.

Accountability & Ownership - Completing tasks, communicating transparently, and recognizing impact on the organization.

Teamwork - Building trust, promoting community and respecting everyone.

Integrity & Honesty - Telling the truth, speaking up when something is wrong, and doing the right thing.

Excellence - Taking pride in work and pursuing quality.

Initiative & Innovation - Applying resourcefulness to improve patient experience and decision‑making.

Tenderness & Compassion - Demonstrating genuine empathy and advocacy.

Tenderness & Compassion
We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Education and Experience
Education
Meets all required education and experience necessary for Registered Nurse.

Required Experience for part‑time and full‑time nurses

Minimum of three (3) years recent experience in an inpatient mental health work setting preferred.

Designation to write involuntary detentions (5150s) after initiation period; re‑designation every three (3) years per county rules.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications

Meets all required licensure and certification(s) of a Registered Nurse.

Restraint Certification within 6 months of hire date; recertification annually.

Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention Certification within 6 months of hire date; recertification annually.

Biannual CPR Certification in Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support.

AVMC Conduct/Compliance Expectations

Adherence to attendance and punctuality, leaves of absence, PTO, department dress code, work organization, initiative, telephone etiquette and safety rules.

Maintains confidentiality of patients and department information.

Commits to policies, procedures, accreditation, quality assurance and improvement guidelines, education, teamwork, patient satisfaction, AVMC values, compliance, and code of conduct.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
The RN will work in the sometimes hectic and changeable atmosphere of the MHS Department, responding to assaultive behavior as needed. Detailed requirements are maintained in the Employee Health Department.

Requirements
Education and Experience
Education
Meets all required education and experience necessary for Registered Nurse.

Required Experience for part‑time and full‑time nurses

Minimum of three (3) years recent experience in an inpatient mental health work setting preferred.

Designation to write involuntary detentions (5150s) after initiation period; re‑designation every three (3) years per county rules.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications

Meets all required licensure and certification(s) of a Registered Nurse.

Restraint Certification within 6 months of hire date; recertification annually.

Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention Certification within 6 months of hire date; recertification annually.

Biannual CPR Certification in Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support.

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