PRN Outpatient RN

Job Summary

The Registered Nurse is responsible for delivering quality general/psychiatric nursing care to patients who are hospitalized for treatment of psychiatric or emotional disorders, support the hospital and program philosophy of care, and ensure the safety and well-being of each patient.

Essential Duties:

• Provide direct care to patients, which includes facilitating social and emotional needs, supervising medication schedules and evaluating patient progress.
• Collaborate with a variety of interdisciplinary professionals to determine and provide the best possible care for their patients.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe environment on the unit.
• Provide social support for patients by creating and encouraging patients to take advantage of opportunities such as support groups, social activities and other therapeutic measures.
• Conducts intake assessments through interviews with patients and relatives to gather case history.
• Plans and provides nursing care for patients.
• Makes nursing diagnosis of the medical and emotional status of patients and recommends treatment options.
• Consults with psychiatrists and other behavioral health staff in designing appropriate treatment plans for clients.
• 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.
• 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.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and patients.
• Test 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 record keeping.
• Performs administrative assignments such as filing, answering phones, typing, and completing progress notes in the computer system.

Requirements

Education and/or Licensure – ADN/BSN or equivalent. Must possess current RN licensure in the State of Texas by the Nursing Board. Must possess or obtain a valid CPR certification and SAMA training within 30 days of hire.

Experience – None required. Prior psychiatric healthcare experience helpful.

Additional Requirements – None

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to concentrate on work amidst distractions such as noise, conversations and foot traffic; must be able to consistently meet deadlines; and finish all food preparation at specified serving time; must be flexible in work hours in order to meet patient and organization operating needs.
• Must maintain self-control in volatile or hostile customer services interactions.
• High school level reading and writing skills; acceptable oral and written communication skills along with legible handwriting.
• Customer service skills in face to face interactions with dealing courteously with patients, the public, and other staff within the organization.
• Use of appropriate social skills, including demonstration and respect for patients and staff; empathy toward patients; skills in teaching or assisting with activities of daily living helpful.
• Must be able to work independently, in a result restricted physical environment for extended periods of time.
• Skill to independently interpret reference materials to comply with law, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc.
• Ability to apply time management practices to prioritize, schedule and complete work effectively to comply with mandated policies and deadlines.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks or parts of tasks simultaneously to ensure timely completion of work activities.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions

Perform the following with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, and be able to perceive the attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, and/or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Ability to express and exchange ideas vi