Registered Nurse | Inpatient
Job Summary
About Us:
As a non-profit organization Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care is dedicated to serving our community by offering a wide range of mental health services from inpatient to outpatient care. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset and we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. Join us in making a difference every day!
Role Overview:
Inpatient Psychiatric Nurses care for clients living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders which have led to the need for acute treatment by means of involuntary hospitalization. Psychiatric nurses are responsible for the direct care of clients located in either/or the Evaluation and Treatment or the Secure Withdrawal Management unit of Recovery Place Kent. Registered nurses will work in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of medical and clinical professionals to administer safe and therapeutic treatment to clients. With a focus on therapeutic client interaction registered nurses will be responsible for providing safe and therapeutic nursing services to clients by means of assessment diagnosis care planning and treatment.
Essential Job Functions
Primary accountability for a patient care including ongoing assessment medication management withdrawal and ancillary medical needs (i.e. wound care ostomy care etc.) as per protocol
Assess patients medical status and refers as necessary
Prioritize RN and LPN responsibilities independently or with supervision based on patient care needs unit milieu and number/discipline of assigned staff available to provide care
Administer and perform prescribed treatments and medical interventions including transcribing and administering routine and prescribed medications in accordance with procedures established by medical staff and nursing leadership
Complete medical treatments and other tasks within the scope of licensed practical nurses and the program services and procedures (i.e. phlebotomy immunizations EKGs TB testing wound care ostomy care etc.)
Conduct facility admissions obtain physical health data complete health history screens (to include HIV TB etc.) and complete necessary documentation
Inventory and care for patients personal possessions
Complete ROIs and coordinate care with external agencies and/or facilities as per policy and regulations
Complete patient transfer processes to include sending appropriate medical documentation to other units/facilities informing the patient of transfer coordinating with clinical staff and completing appropriate transfer forms
Participate in comprehensive clinical pass-down reports at shift changes
Collaborate with Licensed Practical Nurses Nurse Manager Charge Nurse Providers and Clinical Team on complex care issues and concerns
Record patient observations and activities in patient records accurately and timely in accordance with nursing standards and organizational policy and procedure
Maintain a safe environment applying principles of medical asepsis infection control techniques and universal precautions. Follow agency infection control plan and policies
Follow all policies and procedures with regard to patient information protection including mental health and alcohol-drug patient confidentiality (42 CFR) and HIPAA (45 CFR)
Maintain and demonstrate a current working knowledge of applicable clinical procedures and nursing care based on company policy and State and Federal guidelines
Actively and compassionately interact with patients to encourage engagement in treatment
Assist with therapeutic milieu management
Utilize verbal and physical de-escalation techniques to manage behaviorally escalated/aggressive patients
Apply and/or facilitate the safe and appropriate application of restraints as per policy and protocol
Demonstrate respect for and enforce patient rights and maintain confidentiality as per HIPPA and agency policy
Complete and document medication teaching for patients and legal representatives during hospitalization and prior to discharge
Attend mandatory trainings and staff meetings
Perform other duties as assigned within appropriate scope
Charge Job Functions:
Functions as the shift supervisor to support staff in making front-line operational decisions; consultation with Nurse and Program Managers on day shift and On-Call Administrators on night shift
Work with facility Admissions Coordinator to screen referrals from local Emergency Departments for clinical propriety
Physically receive patients at the facility and assist RNs and LPNs to complete various aspects of facility intake which may include completion of initial health screenings skin assessment medication reconciliation hygiene protocols belongings inventories etc.
Assist RNs and LPNs in various aspects of client discharge as necessary
Oversee clinical staffing assignments; trouble-shoot short notice call outs on second shift adjust staffing in accordance with pre-determined algorithms for census and acuity
In coordination with Nurse and Program Managers oversee and provide clinical supervision to nursing staff and mental health specialists
Other administrative duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Washington State License as a Registered Nurse
High School Diploma Required; Bachelors in nursing preferred.
BLS certified
CPI Certification required within 6 months of hire (training provided by Valley Cities)
Experience:
Two or more years experience in psychiatric nursing required and one year experience in an acute care setting preferred
Psychiatric and/or Acute Care experience preferred though not exclusionary
Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
Must be able to work with respect and tolerance in a multidisciplinary setting
Psychological Resilience; ability to tolerate the daily stress of an acute psychiatric care setting
Able to interact with patients with sensitivity tact and respect while setting firm limits and boundaries when necessary
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and demands
Knowledge of theories of human behavior personality development and etiologies of psychiatric and substance use disorders
Familiarity with Washington Administrative Code regulations and professional standards governing the care and treatment of mentally ill patients in the acute care setting
Computer/technology literacy and proficiency
Pass required WA State background checks
Working Conditions
Direct nursing care requires the ability to lift push pull twist stoop and lift up to 50 lbs. without assistance. Most work takes place in usual office working conditions where the noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones personal interruptions and background noises. Perform duties of a nurse as needed which will include exposure to hazardous materials (such as body fluids needle sticks). In the event of emergency disaster or extreme weather conditions the Charge Nurse may be required to remain in facility to ensure patients receive proper care if there is a staffing shortage.
We are dedicated to Equal Opportunity Employment & embrace the contributions of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans and does not unlawfully discriminate under federal state or local laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion national origin gender sexual orientation gender identity age physical or mental disability or protected veteran status.
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
Since 1965, Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care serves the mental health and substance use disorder needs of King County Washington communities.