RN - Psychiatric - DCH Health System

Collaborates with the Emergency Department Staff and Clinical AssessmentTeam to provide direct care for Emergency Department psychiatric patients to include facilitating social and emotional needs, collaborating with Emergency Department RN and Physician on medication schedules and evaluating patient progress.  Collaborates with ED Physicians and Psychiatrist to ensure safe admission or discharge plan of care.   Responsible for maintaining a safe environment through the use of monitoring devices and restraining techniques where deemed necessary.  This position delegates to other team members to include LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, OTs an/or US.

1. Assesses condition on each assigned patient on admission and on an ongoing basis to include but not limited to the patient’s physical condition, psychological status, social status, spiritual and cultural needs, pain assessment/management, nutritional and functional status, developmental or age related factors, and discharge planning needs.
2. Plans, provides, and documents patient and/or significant other education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to  learning.
3. Evaluates and regularly reevaluates patient care; coordinates care planning with patient, family, providers and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
4. Assigns and delegates nursing care to team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the capabilities of the team members.
5. Applies safety principles when performing care and accurately documents observations, care provided and changes in care plan.
6. Participates in transition rounds, care planning/problem identification and team shift reports.
7. Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.
8. Performs initial and annual competency per job class.
9. When the ED has no psychiatric patients, RN would serve as a resource and collaborate with RNs in Acute Care at both NMC and RMC campus to review plan of care on patients awaiting a bed on North Harbor or other facilities. This will be accomplished by RN rounding on both NMC and RMC Acute Care areas.
10. Document hourly rounds on ED psychiatric patients awaiting placement at North Harbor or another facility.
11. Initiate and document psychiatric admission assessment for ED psychiatric patient boarded for 4 hours or longer and awaiting placement at North Harbor or another facility.
12. Round and document a daily progress note on patients in an Acute Care bed awaiting placement at North Harbor or another facility and coordinate with Psychiatrist regarding placement.
13. RN will work directly with Northport ED Staff and RMC ED Staff providing quarterly education to provide knowledge, education and preparation in the care of psychiatric patients.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Current Alabama RN licensure.  Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

Physical:  Physical presence onsite is essential.  Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.  Able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.  Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing and walking.  Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 lbs.  Is able to push stretcher/wheelchair with average adult patient.  Is able to do frequent stooping and on occasion crouching, crawling or kneeling.  Ability to reach reasonable distances in any direction.  Ability to run in emergency situations.  Must be able to move fingers in a coordinated manner.  Must have ability to feel and perceive temperature, texture, shape and size with fingertips.

Environmental:  Includes exposure to human body fluids, disease, infection, lab chemicals and hazard materials and/or cleaning solutions.   Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment.

Psychological:  Includes demonstrating leadership skills, delegating to team members, addressing conflict, communicating with all types of personalities, effective problem solving skills to administer quality care, and being responsible for outcomes/results.