Psychiatric Triage Registered Nurse, RN - BMU chez DCH Health System

Collaborates with the Emergency Department Staff, Medical Staff, and Clinical Assessment Team to provide direct care for Emergency Department psychiatric patients and admitted medically ill patients with behavioral health needs to include facilitating social and emotional needs, collaborating with Emergency Department staff, medical staff and physicians 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 assessment tools, monitoring devices and restraining techniques where deemed necessary.  This position delegates to other team members to include LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, OTs and/or US.

1. Assesses condition on each patient on presentation, 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 caregiver education based on physical,behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to  learning.

3. Complete and document suicide risk assessment on all High or Moderate Suicide Risk patients per policy
4. Communicate findings with physician and care team.
5. Evaluates and regularly reevaluates patient care; coordinates care planning with patient, family, providers and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.
6. Applies safety principles when performing care and accurately documents observations, care provided and changes in care plan.

7. Participates in transition rounds, care planning/problem identification and team shift reports.
8. Serve as a resource and collaborate with RNs in Acute and Critical Care at both NMC and RMC campus to review plan of care on patients awaiting a bed on North Harbor or other facilities. Document rounds on psychiatric patients awaiting placement at North Harbor or another facility.  Assist in placement if bed unavailable at North Harbor
9. Round and document a progress note on patients in an Acute Care or Critical Care bed awaiting placement at North Harbor or another facility and coordinate with Psychiatrist regarding placement.
10. Adhere to Suicide Risk Policy
11. Serve as subject matter expert with non violent and violent restraints. Perform Restraint rounds on all pts in non violent or violent restraints (outside of North Harbor, RMC ED, NMC ED).
12. RN will work directly with NMC 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.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.

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

WORKING CONDITIONS

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, and being responsible for outcomes/results.