Nurse, RN

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) interacts with the clients and team members throughout their shift, assisting direct care staff in meeting client’s functional needs. The RN collaborates with team members to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment is maintained within the treatment facilities. Position performs various tasks related to the provision of medical care to include taking physician orders, preparing, and administering medications, assessing and document client’s health and mental status, and coordinating health/medical services in accordance with physician orders.

Position Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities

1. Provides a comprehensive nursing assessments identifying client’s medical needs, capabilities, and limitations.
2. Records and transcribes physicians written and verbal orders, conducting or delegating STAT orders immediately, as needed.
3. Communicates observations and recommendations for clients’ plan of care, providing input into the treatment team process, as needed.
4. Identifies abnormal diagnostic data and brings to the attending physician’s attention.
5. Documents the administration of medication in according to established policies and procedures.
6. Coordinates pharmacy and laboratory orders, delivery, and refills with the appropriate vendors, as needed.
7. Maintains responsibility for the security of all controlled medications kept in the facility and monitors the administration and accurate recording of use.
8. Administers medications/injections according to physician orders and medication administration record.
9. Collects blood, urine and other laboratory samples as ordered by the medical providers.
10. Provides, structures, and maintains a therapeutic environment in collaboration with other staff.
11. Documents observations in nursing assessment and daily notes in electronic charting system, in accordance with facility policy in a timely manner, reflecting plan of care outlined in the medical record and treatment plan.
12. Documents ongoing assessments of client behaviors and presentation, reporting concerns to team members in a timely manner. 
13. Completes incident reports in accordance with established policy and procedure.
14. Prepares clients for discharge, provides individualized medication instructions prior to discharge in a clear and concise manner; providing written instructions if needed.
15. Provides education to clients and families about medications, side effects, contraindications, and physical symptoms.

Additional Responsibilities

1. Functions within the guidelines of the facility’s Code of Ethics and in accordance with corporate compliance.
2. Conducts chart audits following program policy timelines, as requested.
3. Consistently arrives to work on time, rarely missing shifts, and promptly notifies supervisor when absent.
4. Demonstrates an ability to adapt to changes in the facility function, management styles, and facility routines.
5. Adheres to facility policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, implementing regularly.
6. Collaborates with team members to ensure a client needs are consistently met with a high level of customer services.
7. Attends and completes all training within assigned time frames as required by the facility.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Associates degree or bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of nursing or higher. Must hold a current RN licensure within the state of Tennessee. Position requires a minimum of 1 year(s) experience in a behavioral healthcare setting, preferably with clients with eating disorders. Psychiatric nursing experience strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to communicate with peers, clients and/or vendors.
• Job performance will require the ability to move throughout the building as well as participate in activities outdoors and off facility grounds.
• Performs duties that require the employee to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• May sit or remain stationary for periods of time.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to talk or hear, sit, stand, walk, reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste, or smell.
• Ability to move twenty-five pounds.

Additional Requirements

• Position requires incumbent to have a valid driver’s license, vehicle insurance and acceptable driving record.
• Clearance of criminal background, TB test, and any other mandatory state/federal requirements.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification or the ability to obtain within the first 30 days of hire.

Skill Competencies

• Demonstrates an understanding of identifying abuse/neglect in client population.
• Documents timely and accurate charting.
• Demonstrates the ability to complete comprehensive nursing assessments.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform physical assessments including vital signs and to recognize symptoms and distress of clients in treatment.
• Demonstrates effective verbal/written communication.
• Demonstrates the ability to administers medications.
• Demonstrates the ability to maintain a safe environment ensuring medications are always secured.
• Demonstrates the ability to properly complete the admission and discharge process.
• Documents assessment of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMS) in clients receiving antipsychotic medications
• Demonstrates proper management of biohazards.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform venipuncture and maintain universal precautions while collecting blood.
• Demonstrates ability to schedule lab pick-up and upload results in chart.
• Demonstrates a high level of commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the company.