Registered Nurse (FT)
Dallas Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, United States

Shifts are 12 hours from 7 AM - 7 PM or 7 PM - 7 AM

The Registered Nurse (RN) will provide professional nursing care to patients according to hospital policy and procedure; will assess patient care needs, plan and implement nursing care procedures, evaluate patient progress and modify care plans as necessary; will provide teaching to patients and their families; will direct the work of nursing support staff through the use of appropriate delegation and supervision skills.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• 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
• 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.
• Performs related duties, as requested.
• Upholds the Organization's ethics and customer service standards.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the hospital.

Requirements

• Education: ADN or BSN from an accredited college or university.
• Required Licenses: Valid Texas RN license in good standing is required.
• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, CPI certifications a plus. De-escalation Program (provided during on-site training)
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience, preferably in a behavioral healthcare setting, phone triage, telehealth, case management, or a combination of education and experience.
• Must be 21 years old or older.
• Additional: Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) a plus
• Knowledge, Skills amp; Abilities:
  • Knowledgeable of patient rights and laws pertaining to mental health and regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and the treatment of mentally and emotionally disturbed patients. Theories, principles, and techniques of group and individual psychotherapy. Symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed mentally ill patients.
  • Advanced knowledge and clinical skills in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health. Professional nursing principles, procedures, and techniques used in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients. Social, psychological, and physical factors of mental and emotional disorders. Medical and psychological terminology. Medications, including psychotropic drugs, and effects on psychiatric patients. Control, preparation, and administration of medications.
  • Demonstrates sound leadership skills and utilizes these skills in organizing the activities and schedules for medical and/or non-medical tasks of the Child, Adolescent, and Adult for a given shift; record of consistently high quality of clinical and interpersonal skills to be an exemplary role model to others
  • Displays basic knowledge of treatment procedures; interventions common to acute psychotic as well as non-violent crises intervention practice, and medical and psychiatric emergency procedures.

Job Rewards and Benefits