Registered Nurse

Job Summary: Under general supervision, guides and encourages each supervised employee to attain maximum performance on the job. Provides ongoing feedback. Performs treatment and provides care to consumers per MD orders and accepted Nursing Standard of Practice guidelines. May function as a lead worker for other staff.

Essential Functions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Analyzes data from screening procedure to determine appropriate treatment services.
• Performs Nursing Assessments.
• Uses appropriate interview techniques to obtain pertinent health / substance abuse history.
• Performs head to toe physical exam and visual assessment of body.
• Documents pertinent information in record accurately and timely.
• Administers medications / vaccines accurately and safely within agency guidelines.
• Performs treatments and provides preventative maintenance care to consumers per MD orders and accepted Nursing Standard of Practice guidelines
• Based on MD / RN input and information, determines appropriate level of care for CSP.
• Performs appropriate lab studies per venipuncture.
• Monitors, records and reports symptoms and changes in consumer's conditions in timely manner.
• Communicates and treats consumers with respect, dignity and tact.
• Educates consumers regarding disease process, diagnoses, medications and other aspects of care and treatment.
• Consistently and accurately transcribes and implements physician's orders and documents all consumer information.
• Maintains accurate tracking / logs including but not limited to Non-Admit Log, Referral Log, TB, Physical, Report Board, Roster
• Maintains accurate, detailed reports and client records.
• Makes appropriate referral to available resources for consumers not admitted.
• Maintains safety and security on unit at all times.
• Reports any consumer abnormalities or changes in status in timely manner.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation.

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to identify and report any adverse side effects of medication to physician.
• Ability to identify patient limitations.
• Ability to operate lifting devices safely.
• Ability to identify bedsores and the onset of bedsores.
• Ability to recognize if a patient needs to be changed.
• Ability to chart client’s behavior.
• Ability to recognize significant changes in patient’s behavior.
• Ability to perform CPR.
• Ability to take patient vital signs.
• Ability to assess client’s needs.
• Ability to collect bodily fluids.
• Ability to answer patient questions.
• Ability to troubleshoot signal if necessary.
• Ability to provide simple nursing care, personal care and hygiene.
• Ability to explain procedures to patients.
• Ability to assist medical doctors with patients if patients are non-compliant.
• Ability to feed patient if needed.
• Ability to perform established treatment and programmatic activities.
• Ability to check equipment to ensure it is working properly.
• Ability to lead activities.
• Ability to document patient’s behavior accurately.
• Knowledge of code protocols.
• Knowledge of body mechanics (lifting, standing, turning, etc)
• Knowledge of safety procedures for moving patients.
• Knowledge of lifting devices.
• Knowledge of the department, facility or service entity’s policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of feeding procedures.
• Knowledge of simple nursing care, first-aid and personal and environmental hygiene.
• Knowledge of the various types of appropriate recreational activities.
• Knowledge of various types of ambulatory devices.
• Knowledge of the concepts of mental health, health disorders and related physical conditions and treatment approaches.
• Knowledge of facility safety policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of care plans and diagnosis.
• Ability to contribute in a team environment.
• Possess a strong work ethic with a sense of ownership of tasks and ability to follow them through to resolution.

Competencies:

• Cultural Awareness
• Customer Service
• Ethical Conduct
• Cooperation and Collaboration
• Accountability
• Quality/Quantity of Work
• Professionalism

Required Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university or Associate’s degree in Nursing from an accredited college and Current Georgia License as a Registered Professional Nurse and any related professional work experience. A valid Georgia driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to pass a criminal background and pre-employment drug screen is required.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Some positions may have supervisory responsibilities

• Clearly establishes and communicates goals and accountabilities;
• Monitors and evaluates performance;
• Provides effective feedback and coaching;
• Identifies development needs and helps employees address them to achieve optimal performance and gain valuable skills that will translate into strong performance in future roles.
• Develops innovative approaches to address problems and drive continuous improvement in programs and processes;
• Communicates regularly with staff on progress toward defined goals and/or required results, providing specific feedback and initiating corrective action when defined goals and/or required results are not met.
• Confers regularly with staff to review employee relations climate, specific problem areas, and actions necessary for improvement.
• Evaluates employees at scheduled intervals, obtains and considers all relevant information in evaluations, and supports staff by giving praise and constructive criticism.
• Recognizes contributions and celebrates accomplishments.
• Motivates staff to improve quantity and quality of work performed and proves training and development opportunities as appropriate.

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Some minor travel between Gateway sites is required.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Employee is frequently required to walk, sit, stand or kneel and occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Ability to work in a stressful environment. Exposure to blood and/or body fluids. Ability to respond to emergency/crisis situations. Must have the ability to sit for long periods of time at a computer. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are not hazardous or unpleasant condition caused by noise, dust, etc. Employee must be able to travel between Gateway sites. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Gateway BHS promotes a drug/alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing.