A day hospital is a psychiatric program patients attend during weekdays, returning to the comfort of home in the evenings and on weekends. It is a less intensive level of care than inpatient but provides more support than an outpatient setting. Many people we serve find that day hospital treatment is a helpful step down from inpatient care before returning to daily life or that it is an effective intensity of treatment to help avoid an inpatient stay.

At a Sheppard Pratt day hospital, care consists of both individual and group treatment. The Day Hospitals are group-based programs. Patients attend multiple group therapeutic sessions throughout the day. Day Hospitals are located on the Towson and Baltimore Washington Campus for Sheppard Pratt.

Treatment offerings at Sheppard Pratt’s Day Hospitals include:

Family meeting/collaborative care with family, friends, and/or significant others Group treatment, which can include modalities like: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Medication Education, Recreation/activity, Psychoeducation Supportive counseling Treatment planning Aftercare planning

 

As a Staff Nurse you will:

Lead daily psychoeducational groups to enhance the therapeutic impact on patients and to improve group skills. Interview patients and assesses their functional level according to professional standards. Be responsible for creating and reviewing all Master Treatment Plans (MTPs). Interview patients and assesses their functional level according to professional standards. Recognize alterations in patient physiological and psychological status; initiates action as indicated. Observe self-administration of medication and perform medical treatments as prescribed by a physician or as indicated by patient’s condition. Instruct patients and families on mental health issues, treatments, procedures, plans of care, home care methods and techniques necessary for continuing patient care and rehabilitation. Work closely with other members of the treatment team (e.g., provider, therapist, mental health specialists, occupational/recreational therapists) to plan care and report concerns. Participates in team and staff meetings. Complete written documentation and data entry into the electronic medical record (EMR) to record patient behaviors, vital signs, and observations in compliance with Hospital and program standards.  Complete all documentation so that it is legible, accurate, complete, timely, and in accordance with Hospital & program standards. Participate in the evaluation of program effectiveness and efficiency and works to ensure continuous improvements in the quality of services. 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Work requires knowledge of nursing theory, principles, and practice and basic computer usage skills - acquired through graduation from an accredited program of nursing. Must have AHA approved Basic Life Support/CPR certification for healthcare workers at time of hire and throughout employment. Work requires possession of a current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Maryland at the time of appointment and continuously throughout tenure in position.  Maintains professional knowledge and skills through attendance at professional meetings, workshops, courses, and in-service sessions. Work requires three to six months' experience, including nursing school experience, to acquire necessary familiarity with policies, nursing procedures, and techniques within assigned patient care area and meet the core competencies (as defined on the competency assessment form) required for working with child, adolescent, and adult eating disorders patient population. Position requires analytical ability and sound nursing knowledge for the effective formulation of nursing care plans, implementation of care, and appropriate documentation of pertinent information regarding patient's condition.  Individual must be able to identify the need for assistance/supervision and seek out appropriate resources. Work requires the ability to read and follow up on documentation in the patient’s record, written and oral communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively and maintain documentation, and basic computer usage skills - acquired through high school education. Work requires demonstrated competency in basic patient care methods, procedures, and techniques, as well as specialized skills, procedures, and techniques required for working with the psychiatric population - acquired through Hospital-provided training.  Work requires interpersonal skills sufficient to establish therapeutic relationships with emotionally disturbed patients and to communicate and work effectively with patients in accordance with treatment plan (51-80% of work time). Work requires analytical skills sufficient to perform written patient documentation, assess situations, identify the need for assistance/supervision, and seek out appropriate resources. Work requires ability to physically intervene in medical and behavioral emergencies, transport patients, and lift patients (10-30% of work time.) 

Reporting Relationships:

1)           Position reports to the Day Hospital Program Manager.