Staff Nurse I Jobs

– Position Requirements

JOB TITLE Staff Nurse I

CC/Department 6341/Geriatric Behavioral Health

Reports to Department Director

JOB SUMMARY

The Staff Nurse is a professional caregiver who assumes responsibility and accountability for the assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for patients and their families in compliance with the standards for care at AHMC Seton Medical Center, American Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, and American Nurse Practice Act. Staff Nurse ll’s are capable of independently performing the full range of clinical nursing services involving patient care. May supervise the work of professional and paraprofessional staff of the assigned unit.

QUALIFICATIONS/JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• BSN degree preferred
• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing required

EXPERIENCE

• Training and experience in psychiatric nursing preferred

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE

• Current California RN licenses required
• Current American Heart Association BLS certification required
• Crisis Prevention Intervention verification required within the first 3 months of hire

DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS NOTE The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification, however, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

• Shift report will be done at the bedside with the patient involved to the best of their ability.
• Knowledge of DSM/ICD and basic medical and psychiatric terminology.
• Interprets and explains procedures, regimens, and services to patients and families; teaches patients and family member’s health care and disease prevention techniques.
• Clean and organize work stations, aware and practice safety protocols of the department at all times.
• Knowledge of legal terminologies and practices associated with psychiatry
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and works effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Develops, implements, evaluates and makes modifications in the nursing care plan; prepares required records and reports.
• Able to understand and follow all policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations of Nursing Service, Seton Medical Center, American Nurses Code of Ethics, and American Psychiatric Nurses Standards of Practice
• Participates in every shift huddle report to communicate any red flags and ensure efficient patient hand-off.
• Organizes, supervises, makes adjustments and accepts responsibility for the quality of care provided patients by co-workers for a given work period; at the level II assumes responsibility as a charge nurse when assigned.
• Actively engages with all department and hospital improvement projects.
• Participates in the implementation of patient care standards, infection control standards and quality assurance criteria; assist with conducting studies; participates in unit and other meetings.
• Monitors patients for significant and critical changes and initiates procedures as required; documents care given according to set standards and at required intervals.
• Accurately provide care with respect to medication administration, skin and wound care, ADL's and other essential patient care related activities
• A thorough understanding of client rights, thorough of understanding of psychiatric nursing process.
• Provides and evaluates patient care established standards and criteria in conformity with the nursing care plan. Will adhere to the No Pass Zone.
• Participates in promoting a healthful, safe, and therapeutic environment for patient and families; set up and controls the environment essential for infection control.
• AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank you) will be used in patient and family interactions when appropriate.
• Provides education/training to other team members as necessary.
• Ability to communicate emphatically, respectfully and effectively with mentally ill patients and their families.
• Utilizes evidenced based best practice by hourly rounding on all assigned patients.
• Familiarity with behavioral health resources in the community.
• Gathers and assess information about patients to meet nursing needs; assists and consults with physician in the performance of procedures and diagnostic tests; contracts physicians and/or other departments to obtain or provide patient information.
• Demonstrates knowledge of management od assaultive behavior techniques

Other Job Requirements

YES

NO

Driving cars, trucks, forklifts, and other equipment?

X

Working around equipment and machinery?

X

Walking on uneven ground?

X

Exposure to excessive noise?

X

Exposure to extremes of temperature, humidity or wetness?

X

Exposure to dust, gas, fumes, or chemicals?

X

Working at heights?

X

Operation of foot controls or repetitive foot movement?

X

Use of special visual or auditory protective equipment?

X

Working with bio-hazards such as blood borne pathogens,

X

sewage, hospital waste, etc.

• May read constantly for short durations throughout the day
• Normal or corrected near and far vision, in addition to non-inhibiting color vision.
• Constant talking and hearing throughout the work day. Must be alert to patient condition and environmental situations.

NOTE This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of this organization.

I have read and understand terms and conditions of this job description. I further understand that by signing my acceptance of this agreement, it does not change the “at will” nature of my employment, which may only be altered through written notification signed by the CEO of Seton Medical Center and myself.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED

_______________________________ ______________________

Employee Signature Date

_______________________________

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