RN - Behavioral Health - Full Time - 7a-7p Shift

JOB SUMMARY

The RN is a nursing professional care provider under the direction of the director or designee who utilizes the nursing process, nursing standards and physicians orders to plan, provide and direct nursing practice. Accomplishment of nursing practice that includes practice elements as defined by the Kentucky Board of Nursing and in accordance with the Ephraim McDowell Health nursing professional practice model. Performance that accomplishes patient and family centered care as central to practice and a foundation of caring, compassion, competence, communication, collaboration and teamwork. Responsible to participate in shared nursing leadership to accomplish positive outcomes, education, respect, dignity and safety for the patient and their family. Accountable for leadership of self and others and functions as charge nurse when designated. Exhibits F.I.R.S.T. values (Friendliness, Innovation, Respect, Service and Trust.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Competent Nursing

• Accountable for problem solving and critical thinking.
• Serves as a patient advocate.
• Knowledgeable for therapies, diagnostic results and products for patient use.
• Participates in peer review.
• Uses evidenced based practice and pursues new knowledge including but not limited to:
• Participates in data collection and Performs research/pilots and creates new projects.
• Shares research findings with others for the development of policies, procedures, and practice guidelines for patient care.
• Critiques research for application in practice and conducts product evaluations.
• Applies knowledge and skills to the practice of nursing.
• Systematically evaluates clinical care by:
• Understands and teaches the performance improvement process.
• Collects and monitors data for quality and effective clinical care.
• Implements activities to enhance the quality of clinical care.
• Participates with interdisciplinary teams that evaluate clinical practice or health services.
• Participates in root cause analysis and corrective action plans, when indicated.
• Demonstrates knowledge and executes the unit’s standards, policies and procedures to ensure safe, effective patient care. Interacts with others to achieve desired outcomes.
• Responsible for patient assignments and unit flow while maintaining a calming atmosphere. Leads by example to ensure Associates demonstrate the skills and tasks to achieve positive outcomes.
• Promotes the best patient plan of care according to identified needs based on nursing assessment in collaboration with patient, family, and healthcare team.

Patient Education

• Serves as patient, family, and Associate mentor by:
• Identifies the multi-disciplinary and/or unit based teams and exemplifies knowledge of external/internal resources to achieve desired outcomes.
• Facilitates the continuum of care on a daily basis meeting regulatory standards, and communicates findings as appropriate.
• Defends patient rights and improves care on the unit and in the Organization.

Shared Nursing Leadership

• Embraces new concepts by making efforts to become a self-directed, creative, progressive and visionary thinker.
• Fosters innovation by motivating and inspiring others.
• Pursues specialty certification, professional membership, and education.
• Skilled in decision making abilities and exhibits a positive character.
• Contributes to a supportive and healthy work environment for students and Associates.
• Values and respects all levels of nursing.
• Directs, leads, and evaluates Associates’ performance.
• Provides peers with constructive feedback regarding their practice through peer review activities.

Communication/Collaboration

• Maintains honest, exemplary interpersonal skills while providing open and clear communication of relevant facts.
• Maintains and participates in a strong teamwork environment.
• Accepts instruction and suggestions with optimism in an approachable manner.
• Maintains composure during demanding periods of time.

Positive Outcomes

• Demonstrates a commitment to professional and ethical accountability. Maintains and expands knowledge and skill. Possesses a spirit of inquiry to promote excellent patient care.
• Develops and sustains a helping, trusting, and authentic caring relationship in a healing environment for the patient and their families.
• Anticipates, identifies and prioritizes patient needs appropriately.
• Assures that licensed practical nurses and unlicensed personnel are assigned duties consistent with their education, competency, and experience to promote safe practice.

Teamwork

• Utilizes team discussions to establish goals and develops mutual trust and loyalty among colleagues.
• Facilitates a partnership between healthcare team, patients, and families to establish a plan for a healing environment and desired outcomes.
• Promotes and maintains a positive:

Caring/Compassion

• Applies knowledge of culturally sensitive care techniques to ensure sensitivity to self and others.
• Develops a nurturing, protective relationship with the patient and their family.
• Embodies humanistic nursing by maintaining a calming atmosphere, providing emotional and spiritual support.

Essential Job Duties

• Performs age specific Behavioral Health nursing assessments.
• Assesses age specific Behavioral Health safety issues (National Patient Safety Goals, Safe Patient Handling, Restraints, and Suicide Risk etc.).
• Plans /Individualizes /Prioritizes Behavioral Health care to meet patient /family support person needs.
• Educates Behavioral Health patient/family/support person needs according to diagnosis, safety, medications, treatments, procedures, and discharge planning.
• Knowledgeable of and practices according to Behavioral Health services policies and procedures (Core measures, group therapy, suicide risk, etc.).
• Performs intake assessment as needed.
• Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of patient family centered care into practice (dignity, respect, information sharing, and participation).
• Demonstrates a commitment to the development and implementation of shared governance across the organization.
• Other duties as assigned (Committee Participation and Unit specific performance audits, etc.).

WORKING CONDITIONS, HAZARDS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

Works in a well lighted, ventilated and air conditioned area. Schedule may consist of weekends, holidays and shift work. Often exposed to unpleasant odors, sights and sounds. Long periods in a stationary position and moving around the unit is required. Risks exposure to disease, infection and physical strain and assault. Risks exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, radiation and antineoplastic agents. Must be able to move or position 50 lbs. independently.

CONTACTS WITH OTHERS

Patient, family members and significant others, physicians and Associates, other healthcare providers, community resource personnel, administrative staff and Organizational support services.

Qualifications

Psychiatric nursing experience preferred.