Behavioral Health Rn- Contract & Per Diem- Zucker Hillside Hospital, Queens, Ny - Flexstaff

Job Responsibilities:

• Determines mobility, sensory deficits, prostheses use, and skin condition and adjusts plan of care, as appropriate.
• Assesses gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and neurological health status.
• Conducts patient interview, explains policies and procedures to patient/significant others, reviews patient’s chart and answers questions correctly and courteously.
• Assesses level of pain and pain management.

• Communicates/documents patient’s physiologic health status and plan of care.

• Determines coping mechanism, knowledge level, and ability to comprehend;
• Identifies cultural/ethnic requirements to reduce anxiety and ensure patient satisfaction;
• Elicits perception of medical/nursing care and the expectation of care;

• Communicates and documents psychological status and care plan; support group, counseling services, social services.

• Identifies patient’s need for teaching based on psychosocial and developmental assessment;
• Identifies actual/potential patient problems;
• Develops criteria for measurement of patient outcomes;

• Develops patient outcome statement (s) and establishes individualized patient goals.

• Documents the plan of care and collaborates with physicians and other health team members.
• Coordinates the cost-effective use of supplies, equipment and medication to achieve expected outcome;
• Identifies care activities and establishes the priorities necessary to achieve expected outcome;

• Maintains constant vigilance over patients care to ensure that safety precautions/needs are followed. (Side rails up, call lights and bedside stand within reach, etc.);
• Correctly administers prescribed treatments;
• Exercises professional skills related to the plan of care;
• Reassesses patients as needed and appropriately revises plan of care;

• Correctly uses equipment necessary for patient care;
• Provides emotional support to patient and significant other;
• Keeps accurate documentation of patient’s treatment, activity and condition, as well as patient’s responses to medical and nursing interventions.
• Applies scientific principles in performing procedures; carries them out safely, timely and efficiently.
• Makes accurate observations of patient’s conditions during treatments/procedures. Reports and records same as appropriate.

• Acts rapidly and effectively during any emergency situation, managing self, patients and other employees.
• Provides discharge instructions to patient and significant other.
• Uses appropriate methods of documentation according to departmental policy;
• Participates in planning for discharge and coordinates referrals, as appropriate.
• Provides a calm, quiet, restful atmosphere. Communicates effectively with the patient’s family or caretakers.

• Keeps accurate documentation of patient’s treatment, activity and condition.
• Demonstrates ability to measure effectiveness of care provided and documents same.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates systems to improve care in Unit.
• Performs variance analysis related to outcome data for performance improvement.

• Uses appropriate methods of documentation according to departmental policy.

• Assists the Physician during treatments and/or diagnostic procedures;
• Collaborates with the appropriate physician on patient’s plan of care.
• Accurately interprets and implements treatment regimen as prescribed by the Physician.

• Uses clinical judgment in delegating assignments to the Patient Care Associate, Support Care Associate and Clerical Service Associate in providing patient care, and ensures that assignments are completed in a timely fashion.
• Keeps the Patient Care Manager/designee and/or physician, abreast of changes in patient’s condition and/or treatments, as appropriate;

• Performs preventive skin care measures
• Applies simple dressings, maintaining principles of aseptic technique;

• Performs other procedures related to skin care, as necessary.
• Applies warm & cold compresses, consistent with facility procedure;
• Performs irrigations, consistent with Facility procedure;

• Correctly identifies medication: action; dosage; side effects and implications for the patient;

• Meets standard on medication administration examination;
• Administers and documents medication correctly;
• Administers IVP medication as per department policy and procedure;
• Demonstrates preparation of I.V. drips;
• Demonstrates preparation of local solutions;

• Educates patients and significant others related to drug and food interactions.

• Recognizes and utilizes health teaching opportunities and resources /materials available for this teaching;
• Provides the patient with an explanation of his/her condition as indicated;
• Communicates assessment data in an orderly fashion by recording, updating and verbalizing pertinent information to care team members and to appropriate agencies;

• Evaluates the effectiveness of teaching by feedback from patient/family and documents same.
• Provides for early discharge planning and appropriate referrals for post-hospital care;

Job Qualifications:

• Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State.
• BCLS, ACLS, preferred.
• Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing. Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, preferred. Must be enrolled in an accredited program within 24 months of employment, if hired after September 1, 2010 and obtain a BSN Degree within five (5) years of employment date.