Registered Nurse - Psych Unit

Under direction, provides direct nursing care to patients utilizing the nursing process, performs technical nursing functions and upholds the standard of practice of a professional nurse in caring for psychiatric patients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Efficiently and effectively handles inquiries and referrals, knowledge of, and communication with referral sources;
• Provides hospital and program information to individuals, agencies and professionals;
• Makes outside referrals, when appropriate;
• Makes patient safety and level of care recommendations to the physician;
• Completes all admission requirements including patient assessment and mental health status; communicating patient safety concerns and pertinent patient information to unit nursing staff and documenting all necessary information in the EMR.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Nursing Standard of Care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Patient and Family Education
• Completed initial assessments on all patients within 24 hours of admission and reassesses patient within the required time frame with any changes in patient’s condition and every shift.
• Utilizes the nursing process as the basis for nursing care.
• Provides direct patient care.
• Performs nursing functions, applying professional skills.
• Documents and maintains date on patient’s record.
• Maintains a safe environment.
• Applies basic teaching / learning concepts to patient education.
• Provides for life support.
• Acts as a patient advocate.
• Cooperates as a member of the nursing unit, department and overall hospital team.
• Participates in performance improvement.
• Delegates and / or supervises aspects of care to team members and reviews completion.
• Performs related work as required.
• Communicates pertinent data to appropriate parties.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Conducts himself / herself effectively in stressful situations.
• Approaches situations with distressed patients, families, and visitors in a calm, professional manner.
• Collaborates with physicians and nurses to devise individualized care plans for patients.
• Properly assesses and manages patient populations with appropriate intervention.

Education : Associate's degree in nursing required. Bachelor's degree from accredited school of Nursing preferred.

Certification / License : Louisiana RN license required. CPR required. ACLS and PALS preferred.

Additional Experience Preferred