*Wages are based on average rates and may be impacted by facility budgets and seasonality and may include a combination of taxable and non-taxable earnings and reimbursements.
GENERAL
PURPOSE: The
Registered Nurse in Geri Psych Unit coordinates patient care services as
directed. Measures, evaluates,
administers and documents patient care.
Contributes to patient care plans and informs the Chief Nursing Officer or
House Supervisor, when appropriate.
Provides direction and assigns duties to CNAs and LPNs in accordance
with their skills and abilities.
Actively responds to patient, physician and family requests. Advocates and ensures Patient Rights are
upheld.
ESSENTIAL
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinates medication and
treatment management, direct patient care, such as bathing, dressing, and
feeding patients, and assisting in examinations and treatments. Develops individualize treatment plans,
patient/family education, leads groups, and assists with discharge planning. Demonstrates
techniques in diffusing and deescalating aggressive patients and attends Secure
training within 3 months of hire. Assists with seclusion and or restraints as
required. Ability to lift, walk, carry
and stand. To perform this job
successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty
satisfactorily. The requirements are
represented of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Works
with the physician and other medical staff to assess the condition of the
patient, devise an individual healthcare plan, and see that it is implemented. Completes inquiry form for all patients
admitted or not admitted in a timely manner and responds to referral source
timely.
2. Keeps
records, documenting an assessment of the patients condition, amount, route
and times of medication, vital signs and treatments, as well as any unusual
change in condition. Develop and implement patient treatment plan and updates
treatment plans daily. Informs patients
and family of treatment plan and goals.
3. Ability
to organize and prioritize work to maintain harmonious daily workflow. Participates in unit meetings and unit
councils. Employee continually strive to
make productive use of time through careful coordination of daily tasks,
setting priorities, and reducing non-essential interruptions in order to
complete the job during the allocated time.
4. Educates
patients/significant other/family in disease process and documentation of all
patient/significant other/family education.
5. Understands
validation techniques with patients who have diagnosis of dementia.
6. Monitors
the care delivered by the Certified Nursing Assistant, as they assist patients
with such basic needs as dressing, eating and bathing, and encourages patient
to do things for themselves to retain feelings of independence and self-esteem.
7. Is
in compliance with the State of Nevadas Nurse Practice Act, hospital policies
and rules/regulations.
8. Check,
pour, administer and chart medications at appropriate times, monitor effects
and side effects. Educates patients on medications and new medications. Follows
hospital policy on medication administration and control substances.
9. Administer
all routes of medications per Nevada State Board of Nursing criteria for own
assigned patients, and as required, the LPN.
Monitors results of treatments and progress toward expected outcomes.
10. Administer
and record treatment as ordered.
Understands and carries out all Safety Precautions on unit as Suicide,
Elopement, Fall and others as ordered.
11. Admit,
transfer and discharge patients as required.
Oversees the LPN admission process.
12. Plan
assignments for staff based on skill levels.
Informs staff of patients needs in daily huddle and as needed.
13. Makes
hourly rounds on patients or more frequent as needed to ensure safety, perform
assessments, reporting significant changes to the Nurse Manager or physician. Assists in completing 15 minutes safety
checks as needed.
14. Documents
periodic assessment and changes in patient outcomes in a timely manner. Monitors the completion of all documentation.
15. Attends
patient staffing and assumes responsibility for communication of treatment
goals to pertinent staff members.
16. Assures
that Patient Rights are upheld. Ensures patient dignity and respects patient
values.
17. Ongoing
Monitoring of environment for safety and reports all unsafe deficiencies to
appropriate personnel and initiates work order for repair. Completes environmental safety rounds as
assigned.
18. Assures
that Lab, x-rays, etc. are completed and notifies attending physician of
abnormal results.
19. Participate
in and satisfactorily complete the Orientation Program and Annual Review Days.
Complete annual Unit competencies and annual Secure recertification.
20. Completes
CQI + +timely and accurate submission of CQI+
outcome data on a weekly basis including responsiveness to weekly
feedback.
21. Attend in-services
and meetings as required.
22. Pursuit of
thirty (30) contact hours of continuous education as required by the State of
Nevada for re-licensure.
23. Report
deviations in quality of care to Nurse Manager as outlined by current nursing
standards.
24. Actively
participate in ongoing Quality Improvement activities.
25. Maintains
working knowledge of hospital-wide Order Entry.
26. Understands the side effects of anti-psychotic
medications and observes for side effects and reports to physician. Able to complete AIMS test on patients as
ordered.
27. Demonstrates
the ability to work in conjunction with the team to safely and effectively
contain and/or restrains patient who becomes assaultive and out of control.
28. Orients new employees as assigned.
COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
1. Demonstrates
good skills in all forms of communication. Works well with others in a spirit
of teamwork and cooperation.
2. Accepts
and acts upon constructive criticism.
3. Interacts
and communicates with others in a way that promotes a positive and cooperative
work environment.
4. Demonstrates
initiative and enthusiasm in performing job duties.
5. Willingness
to adjust personal schedule in case of workload fluctuations or other
departmental needs.
6. Channels
concerns appropriately.
7. Fosters
sense of teamwork and collaboration within the department and Hospital.
8. Provides
input, suggestions, and support appropriately.
9. Maintains
composure and professionalism during difficult situations.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
1.
Graduate from an
accredited School of Nursing.
2.
Two (2) years of
experience in a health care delivery system is required, including experience
working with Geri Psych/Rehab patients.
3.
Current Licensure
by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.
4.
Current CPR (basic
life support) Certification.
5.
Capable both physically and mentally for close work
with elderly patients, their families, nursing and medical staff. Understands the potential for injury in
working in a psychiatric unit.
6.
Understands the need for confidentiality of information
gained while performing the job.
7.
Performs other
reasonable related duties as assigned by immediate Supervisor and other
management as required.