RN - BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Overview

The Registered Nurse (RN) assists in coordinating, developing, implementing and evaluating nurse care and practice within a specific unit.  Maintains standards of nursing care and practice by directing and guiding unit personnel.  Collaborates with nurse manager and educator with orientation of professional and ancillary nursing personnel assigned to unit. 

Responsibilities

• Maintains and applies standards of care in caring for patients with basic medical and surgical comorbidities.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills in the assessment of patients with high risk for violence.
• Demonstrates ability to prevent and manage violent behaviors.
• Early intervention; Verbal de-escalation; Behavioral Code Management; Restraints application.
• Demonstrates ability to assess patients for high risk for suicide.
• Knowledge of risk factors; documentation of findings.
• Demonstrates ability and skills to manage, monitor, and provide care for the suicidal patients; Initiating increase level of observation for high risk patients; monitoring and reassessment; documentation.
• Engage patient on 1:1 in therapeutic activities.
• Demonstrates ability to assess patients for high risk for elopement; knowledge of risk factors; documentation of findings.
• Demonstrates ability and skills to manage, monitor, and provide care for the patient at risk for elopement.
• Communicates empathy and compassion in all patient relationship.
• Observes and reports any change in patients’ mental/physical status, behavior, and appearance.
• Assists in planning for and maintaining a safe and therapeutic milieu.
• Runs effective Psycho educational and Therapeutic groups.
• Provides patient/family education and assists in discharge planning utilizing resources and considering patient/family readiness barriers and alternatives.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education / Experience:

Internal & 1199 SEIU:

• Graduate of accredited nursing program(s).
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing preferred.
• Minimum one (1) year clinical experience in Behavioral Health or equivalent.

Non 1199 SEIU Candidates:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) required.
• Master's Degree in Nursing, preferred. 
• Minimum one (1) year clinical experience in Behavioral Health or equivalent.
• Will Accept Associate’s Degree with minimum five (5) years of clinical experience in Behavior Health.

New Graduates:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) required.
• All required certifications within six (6) months of hire.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Critical thinking, math, and computer skills.
• Works as a team player.
• Demonstrates respect and professionalism in all interactions
• Excellent oral and communication skills.
• Decision making and problem solving skills.
• Able to see, hear, read and write English.

Licenses, Certifications:

• Current New York State RN License, required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
• Crisis Management or its equivalent required within 6 months of hire/transfer.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred.
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Certification preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Physically demanding, high-stress environment requiring prolonged periods of standing, reaching, walking throughout the working day. 
• Position will be required to stoop, bend, lift, and carry items weighing up to 35 pounds for routine performance of essential functions.
• An individual in this position may be exposed to: Adverse indoor environmental conditions, Blood borne pathogens, Blood and body fluids, Physical hazards (e.g., needle pricks, etc.), communicable diseases, chemical hazards, radiation, and repetitive motions.
• Full range of body motion, able to lift up to 100 pounds, if necessary, to assist lifting and moving patients.
• Manual and finger dexterity, as well as hand and eye coordination.
• Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range.
• Frequently sitting at desk working on computer.
• Ability to work flex hours.

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

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center.

BHMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.