The Staff Nurse utilizes the nursing process to ensure delivery of patient care in accordance with established ANA Psychiatric-Mental Health Standards of Practice, regulations, and Silver Hill Hospital Standards of Care. The Staff Nurse reports to the Director of Nursing/Nursing Supervisor or designee.
Schedule
- At least four (4) shifts per month.
- Hours: 7:00pm - 7:00am
Duties/Responsibilities
- Assesses patients upon admission and throughout hospitalization.
- Observes patient both formally and informally to better assess patient needs.
- Utilizes theory and critical thinking to formulate measurable objectives and relevant interventions for patients.
- Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care or interaction appropriate to the patient population served by the assigned unit and the ability to assess and interpret age-appropriate data about the patient's status to identify age-specific needs and provide the care needed.
- Documents formal, written nursing assessment within 24 hours of patient's admission.
- Ensures that admission notes reflect patient's physical and emotional health care issues.
- Collects and delegates relevant baseline data from patients and significant others to nursing personnel.
- Maintains cooperative ongoing communication with patient, family, peers, ancillary nursing staff and interdisciplinary health team members regarding assessment and problem identification.
- Completes the initial care plan within 8 hours post admission and updates care plan as needed.
- Documents observations and patient’s goals / interventions in the chart.
- Formulates nursing goals for the identified patients and includes the patient in this process when possible.
- Identifies those components of nursing care which may be delegated to allied nursing personnel and provides necessary teaching and guidance.
- Implements and evaluates the interventions to meet the patient's needs.
- Demonstrates knowledge and skill in the use of psychotherapeutic interventions - interviewing, problem solving, engaging patient in therapeutic relationship (limit setting, boundary maintenance), crisis intervention, etc.
- Identifies and teaches patients basic principles of physical/mental health related to their identified needs (ADL, discharge planning).
- Utilizes policies and procedures, standards and medication teaching tools in implementing and evaluating psychobiological therapies.
- Administers and evaluates the therapeutic and potential effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
- Ensures that patients are adequately oriented to the milieu, including the Patient's Bill of Rights, and are familiar with scheduled activities and unit rules and routines.
- Observes, analyzes, interprets and records the effects of the milieu upon the patient.
- Identifies unsafe situations and responds appropriately.
- Evaluates patient outcome, institutes corrective action and follow-up.
- Participates in work groups and Ad Hoc Committees as necessary to evaluate unit manuals, policies/procedures, standard development and other areas that impact quality of care.
- Participates in staff meetings and is responsible for being aware of administrative and clinical issues.
- Responsible for assuming Charge Nurse functions on the clinical unit.
- Understand emergency procedures, fire drills and evacuation procedures.
- Provides mentorships for all new orientees.
- Assists, as requested, with Nursing new hires and orientation.
- Actively Participates in tracers on units.
- Contributes to department newsletters and other communications, as appropriate.
- Assists in providing quality improvement initiatives that focus on the effectiveness of patient care and the performance of staff.
- Maintains a consistent and reliable presence in assigned work areas by reporting to work on time, adhering to scheduled hours, and demonstrating dependable attendance to ensure operational and staffing needs are met.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities
• Must have the ability to function optimally in a stressful environment, and the ability to remain calm in emotionally charged situations.
Education and Experience
- Licensed in the state of Connecticut as a Registered Nurse (Licensure will be evidence of completion of educational requirement)
- CPR BLS certification, after hire and before assignment to direct patient care.
Silver Hill Hospital (“SHH”) is fully committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all present employees as well as for applicants in all phases of the employment process (recruitment, hiring, assignment, conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline and termination). Therefore, except in any cases of bona fide occupational qualification or need, SHH will act without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, past/present history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, physical or learning disability, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by applicable law, (unless it is shown by supervisory personnel that a disability prevents performance of the work involved or may result in undue hardship) in all aspects of the employment process and relationship. This policy is based on the understanding that an applicant is able to handle the job requirements. Employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities.
