RN Behavioral Health Nurse

Masonicare Health Center – Wallingford, CT

Night Shift / 40hrs/wk / EOW

**This role will work on a 50 bed Behavioral Health Hospital Unit**

The Behavioral Health Nurse provides professional nursing care to emotionally disturbed and/or mentally ill patients for Behavioral Health. Works with clinical and case management staff to coordinate care and assist in treatment plans for patients; and to perform related work. Practices Evidence-Based nursing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Assumes the professional responsibility and accountability for a group of residents/patients including:Medication/Treatment AdministrationTeachingSupervision of all nursing staff to assure implementation of the interdisciplinary care plan.Conducts intake assessments through interviews with patients and relatives to gather case history. Performs ongoing and systematic assessments utilizing the nursing process to establish a comprehensive goal directed interdisciplinary plan.Plans and provides nursing care for patients. Communicates and collaborates effectively with residents/patients, families, colleagues and other members of the interdisciplinary team to assure that treatment is appropriate to meet the age, needs and abilities of resident/patient and unit needs.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. Assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and patients. Tests 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 recordkeeping. Performs administrative assignments such as filing, answering phones, typing, and completing progress notes in the computer system. Provides courteous, high quality service to patients and members of the public by personally responding to requests for service or making appropriate referral. Supervises the care provided by CNAs & LPNs assuring adherence to the plan of care, resident profile, policies and procedures.Participates in educational programs, inservices, meetings and workshops and utilizes current literature to enhance professional skills and knowledge.        Attends all annual mandatory programs.Participates in quality improvement activities as directed.Follows standards of the Diligent Minimal Lift Program.Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:                    Graduate of accredited school of nursing.  BSN Preferred.

Experience:                 Minimum one year clinical experience, preferably in an acute and/or Behavioral Health capacity.  

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Current RN or LPN license in the State of Connecticut, in good standing            

Key Competencies:     

Knowledge of:

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. State of Connecticut laws and regulations for the nursing profession. Regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and the treatment of the mentally and emotionally disturbed patients. Theories, principles, and techniques of group and individual psychotherapy. Symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed mentally ill patients. Medical and psychiatric emergency procedures.


Ability to:

Apply professional nursing care principles and procedures in the evaluation and treatment of geropsychiatric patients. Develop interpersonal therapeutic relationships with psychiatric patients. 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. Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and function calmly in situations, which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy. Provide prompt, efficient, and responsive service. Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations. Work as part of a team and to manage multiple priorities; to speak, read and write English in order to communicate with patients, residents and clinical staff; to effectively interact with residents and staff; organized; ability to utilize a personal computer/CRT to input and retrieve patient information; and familiarity with the Care Plan Development.

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