BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RN DIRECTOR

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing with a current unencumbered Nursing License in Alabama as a Registered Nurse. License maintained with timely completion of CEU’s and licensure acquisition.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in Med/Surg or Psychiatric Patient facility with experience as a Registered Nurse.
• Must possess the following skills: organizational, verbal, interpersonal, customer relations, mathematical, analytical. Grammar/spelling, read/comprehend written instructions, follow verbal instructions, clerical filing, photocopying and department specifics.
• Must be able to administer care to patients ageds18 years to 65 years. Plus, manage stress appropriately, make decisions under pressure, manage anger/fear/hostility and violence of others appropriately. Handle multiple priorities, work alone and work in areas that are confined or crowded.
• Must be able to work in an area where there is a possibility of exposure to communicable diseases and exposure to blood and or body fluid and CRT (computer) monitor.
• Current CPR card.
• Demonstrate the ability to plan, organize, and implement patient care in coordination with the Team Leader and following physician orders.
• Demonstrate the understanding of diagnosis related clinical care provision of services with the ability to utilize this knowledge to provide quality and safe delivery of care services.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist in the provision of Behavioral Health care services that reflect the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority mission and standards, and nursing care of all patients.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Visual/Hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication.
• Ability to perform tasks including physical activity which may include heavy lifting, i.e. patient from bed to wheelchair or to bedside commode, and extensive bending and standing, i.e. range of motion, dressing changes.
• Assess, distinguish, report, and act upon the physical, social, developmental, and environmental needs of all patients; and the knowledge to provide age specific healthcare to patients as appropriate and necessary.
• Operate within ethical standards, ensure patent dignity, respect patient values.
• Conduct therapies in accordance with patient diagnosis and needs.
• Assess and reassess patients’ needs, complete nursing assessment within 24 hours of admission.
• Provide patient safety, privacy and confidentiality.
• Able to communicate the needs of the patient.
• Complete progress notes and assessment.
• Provide efficient discharge planning throughout the process.
• Reliable in reporting to work, keeps absenteeism to a minimum. Provides notification for absence and tardiness in a timely manner.
• Plan, implement, and coordinate nursing care activities for assigned patients.
• Be an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Serve as the primary nursing care coordinator for assigned patients.
• Perform treatment interventions following physician orders such as medication administration and medical treatment orders.
• Interpret the nursing treatment needs of the patient to non-professional staff members assigned to the patient.
• Participate in individual, group, and family psychotherapy, and educational seminars, as appropriate.
• Enact the counseling role of the nurse.
• Document continuous assessments, interventions, and evaluations relative to patient progress.
• Attend patient staffing and assumes responsibility for communication of treatment goals to pertinent staff members.
• Model for other staff effective communication with families, agencies, and hospital personnel.
• Assist in placing patients in seclusion or restraints and adhere to Suicidal, Homicidal, Assaultive, and Elopement Precautions.
• Model for other staff appropriate telephone etiquette and intervention techniques.
• Provides psychiatric education to patients and family as needed.
• Provides resources and support for patients, prior, during, and after treatment.
• Act as liaison between patients, families, and other health care providers.
• Coordinate treatment with other health and social agencies.
• Actively involved in measuring patient performance and communicating results and trends to supervisor.
• Provide feedback to the supervisor on an ongoing basis regarding concerns, improvements, changes, etc.
• Identify areas needing improvement and utilize the facility performance improvement process. Actively participates in department processes as required.
• Evaluate the appropriateness and quality of nursing care in a continuous fashion.
• Monitor and enforces utilization of proper nursing techniques and procedures. Supervises LPN/LVN and unlicensed nursing staff.
• Assess patients for fall risks and other risks factors.
• Ensure facility is safe and report deficiencies to supervisors.
• Coordinate the function of the therapeutic milieu.
• Complete all required staff competencies per program regulations.
• Attend in-services, seminars, etc. to promote learning.