SUMMARY:

Renders professional nursing care to individuals within an assigned unit of the hospital and/or program.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required. Bachelor's in nursing preferred.

Licensure: Registered nurse licensed by Tennessee required and Virginia preferred

Certification: N/A

Experience: Experience as a staff nurse in a psychiatric setting preferred.

Knowledge/Skills: Ability to maintain composure in difficult situations.

CPR training.

Ability to follow written and verbal directions.

Verbal/written communication skills

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Makes staff assignments with regard to patient needs, staff qualification, licensure guidelines, program policy, and infection control issues.
2. Interprets assessment data to develop a plan of care.
3. Implements and evaluates NCP/ITP and supervises other nursing staffs' involvement in the plan of care.
4. Record individual's activities, observations and behavioral symptoms per treatment plan and program procedure, as evidenced by performance improvement findings.
5. Attends and participates in staff conferences or interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure input as it relates to patients, as assigned.
6. Provides a variety of didactic therapeutic groups as per specific program requirements.
7. Assists physicians as needed or requested.
8. Evaluates and documents individual's reactions to medications and treatments.
9. Administers prescribed medications per MD order.
10. Educates individual/family toward an understanding of health/illness.
11. Monitors/assesses individual vital signs, observes and records medical needs, and responses to medical treatment.
12. Utilize personal protective equipment when performing invasive procedures, collecting urine and transporting lab specimens.
13. Utilizes effective and therapeutic Management of Aggressive Patient techniques in emergency psychiatric situations.
14. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and inservices and individual program planning staffings as needed.
15. All other duties as assigned.