Per Diem Registered Nurse III - Pocasset Mental Health Center

The Department of Mental Health (DMH), Pocasset Community Mental Health Center is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Per Diem Registered Nurse to work with resilient patients navigating their journey on the road to recovery. The Nurse assists in assuring that all patient care is consistent with the Center’s mission, with the philosophy of nursing; objectives for patient care, and standards of care/practice as identified by Nursing Administration. The Nurse develops implements and maintains a therapeutic milieu which is demonstrated through nursing leadership of clinical practice, supervision of patients and staff and education. 

Please note: The candidate must be available for (4) shifts per month, of which two (2) are weekend shifts, and two (2) major holidays per year, one (1) summer (Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day) and one (1) winter holiday (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day).

Shift Schedules:

• Day Shift: 7:00am to 3:30pm
• Evening Shift: 3:00pm to 11:30pm
• Night Shift: 11:15pm to 7:15am

Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provides nursing care for patients by following professional, hospital, departmental and certification standards in order to maintain quality care.
• Identifies and addresses patient needs by performing nursing assessments and developing nursing interventions.
• Assumes charge nurse responsibility on an as needed basis to provide critical thinking, prioritization and delegation of patient care needs.
• Supervises employees of a lesser grade by assigning tasks, based on individual competencies, evaluating performance and making recommendations concerning performance to maintain a high level of quality care.
• Performs duties of medication nurse by administering medication, communicating with physicians, transcribing orders maintaining controlled count and documenting to maintain accurate records.
• Works with patients by providing instruction to facilitate the independent management of their personal, hygiene and health needs.
• Admits, transfers and discharges patients, coordinating health care services to ensure continuity of care following standards established by hospital policy and certification guidelines.
• Identifies, evaluates and responds to changes in patient conditions, documenting and reporting such changes to appropriate person to ensure prompt response to patient needs.
• Provides psychosocial support to patients through individual counseling and group work to maintain the therapeutic milieu.
• Performs tasks of assigned staff in their absence to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintains an awareness of the DMH regulations and hospital policy and procedure regarding the use of seclusion and restraint, through supervision and instruction, to maintain patient dignity and human rights.
•  Maintains professional proficiencies by attending and participating in in-service trainings and educational programs to foster growth and development.
• Practices Principals of Collaboration, Assessment, Recovery and Environment care to provide a safe environment.
• Maintains and communicates to nursing staff through knowledge of Department of Mental Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and the Joint Commission and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards in order to maintain standards of care.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of nursing.
• Knowledge of the terminology and standard abbreviations used in nursi