RN - Senior Behavioral Health - PRN - Mercy

MERCY HOSPITAL ARDMORE

Department: RN Senior Behavioral Health Unit

Status: PRN

Shift: Days

PRN Schedule Expectations:

36 hours required per six-week schedule; 12 of the 36 hours on weekends
One (1) summer and one (1) winter holiday

Overview:

The SBU unit at Mercy Ardmore is a 13-bed locked unit that averages 11-12 patients per day.  We care for senior patients who have diagnosed psychiatric disorders.  Most of our patients have dementia with behavioral disturbances, but we also treat patients with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric disorders.   Our unit accepts patients over the age of 62, but some patients may be slightly younger but “geriatric-like”.  The unit is a “well unit” which means that our patients must be be medically stable to remain on the unit. If patients develop an infectious disease or become medically unstable, then they are transferred off the unit to a medical floor.  The patients are expected to participate in group therapy daily led by a certified occupational therapist or technician, and some patients receive individual counseling based on need.

Some of the procedures performed on the unit include but is not limited to: medication administration, foley placement and care, IV placement and management, wound care, assistance with ADL’s and functional mobility.  Patients are generally on the unit an average of 11 days; therefore, there is an opportunity to bond and get to know patients very well.  Our team is like family, and the culture is positive. The SBH team consists of a psychiatrist, virtual nurse practitioners, hospitalists, dieticians, pastoral care, discharge planner, social worker, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists.  Family members are encouraged to visit during designated visitation hours.

One of our nurses stated:

“I love working on SBH because our work helps people whose psychiatric problems disrupt normal life.  With medication management, group activities, and counseling, our patients can often resume a more normal life.  The work we do is very rewarding.  Many of our patients arrive in acute distress, and they leave smiling and in a much better state of mind.  I love making a difference in their lives and enhancing the quality of their lives.”

Qualifications:

• Education: Graduated from a school of nursing (Associate's Degree, Diploma, or BSN).
• Licensure: Is personally responsible for obtaining, and maintaining, a current RN license within the hiring state and/or compact licensure in which nursing duties are performed and must meet all state board of nursing requirements.
• Physical requirements/demands:
  • Position requires individuals to push, pull, and/or lift 50 pounds on a regular basis
  • Position requires prolonged standing and walking each shift
  • Position requires the ability to grip, reach, bend, kneel, twist, and squat to perform duties
• Experience: Can be a new or experienced RN
• Certifications: Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association or successful completion of course within 30 days of hire.