The Registered Nurse provides professional nursing care in an assigned clinic or clinical area, including, but not limited to, inpatient Mental Health and Psychiatric Emergency Department, following the nursing process in accordance with established procedures, implements infection control protocols, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct nursing care to patients by assessing their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual status.
• Develop a plan of care consistent with the patient's condition and annotate medical records in accordance with established procedures, regulatory requirements, and provide information to clinical and support staff to facilitate continued proper nursing care.
• Include the patients and family in the process of care planning.
• Perform comprehensive patient assessments, noting any improvement or deterioration in the patient's condition, and implement and evaluate nursing care accordingly.
• Assess patients and administer treatments, medications, and general care according to the nursing plan of care, best practices, established protocols and medical orders to treat actual or potential disorders and to optimize the physical and mental well-being of the patients.
• Operate specialized medical equipment.
• Evaluate and documents patients' responses to a care regimen and adds to, changes or resolves interventions in the nursing plan of care and/or collaborates with providers regarding the need to revise the treatment plan.
• Collaborate with appropriate members of the interdisciplinary team to coordinate care for patients.
• Provide education to the patient and family about medication, medical treatments, disease-specific information, and follow-up care.
• Participate in discharge planning in collaboration with other health care providers and community resources to ensure full utilization of support services which address patient needs.
• Participate in Quality Assurance activities to ensure provision of optimum care and follow-up for patients.
• Ensure continuity of nursing care by communicating a comprehensive handoff during transition to another nurse.
• Advocates the patient's bill of rights and advocates on behalf of patients and families to ensure continuity and understanding of care given.
• Timely participation in continuing education programs and in-service education to provide the most appropriate nursing care.
• Comply with hospital policies and procedures.
• Actively participate in the performance improvement process, including data collection, analysis, plan for change and implementation of changes.
• Precept and mentor newer staff on the assigned unit.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Provide break relief coverage across clinical areas to ensure continuity and quality of patient care.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 2 years of behavioral health nursing experience required.

EDUCATION:

• Graduation from an accredited school of Nursing required.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Must possess a limited permit to practice nursing, issued by the New York State Education Department, or a valid license and current registration, issued by the New York State Education Department, as a Registered Nurse.
• Current BLS required.