Definition:
The Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) utilizes the nursing process in accordance with physician's orders to provide patient/family care and support/advocacy in the home setting.
Line of Authority:
Director of Nursing, Administrator/Director of Services; Regional Administrator; Assistant Vice President, HomeCare
Qualifications:
- Licensed Registered Nurse in the state where HomeCare agency is located
- Minimum one (1) year experience as a RN/professional nurse
- Experience in home care is desirable
- Additional requirements for the Psychiatric Nurse, a Registered Nurse who provides psychiatric evaluation and therapy in HomeCare.
- Qualifications: 40.1.2.15 - Psychiatric Evaluation, Therapy, and Teaching
- Psychiatrically trained nurses are nurses who have special training and/or experience beyond the standard curriculum required for a registered nurse
- I.e., The Psychiatric RN is a Registered Nurse who has specialized training / work experience as a RN in a psychiatric setting (acute care psychiatric facility, psychiatric home care, or psychiatric outpatient program). It is recommended that this experience has been within the prior 3 years. One of the following criteria must be met:
- RN with a MSN with major in psychiatric/mental health nursing and nursing experience (unspecified period of time) in a psychiatric setting, OR
- RN with BSN and one year experience in psychiatric setting, OR
- RN with AD or diploma and two years experience in a psychiatric setting
Performance Requirements:
- Ability to read, write, learn, absorb, and apply professional training; follow physician's orders and keep records in prescribed manner
- Ability to be reaching, bending, squatting and twisting numerous times daily
- Ability to lift 70-80 pounds on occasional basis
- Ability to see and hear adequately in order to respond to auditory and visual requests from patients
- Ability to speak in clear, concise voice in order to communicate adequately
- Ability to carry out fine motor skills with manual dexterity
- Mental acuity high enough to adequately perform job requirements
- Must have reliable personal transportation and be able to drive in inclement weather and variable road conditions
Specific Responsibilities:
- Utilizes the nursing process to identify and achieve patient goals: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation
- Assesses the physical, psychosocial, and environmental factors that affect a patient's health to develop a comprehensive nursing care plan which will attain the patients desired health outcomes in a culturally comfortable way
- Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to assure personal care, medical care and rehabilitation provide for optimal patient health and well-being
- Teaches patient/caregiver in various aspects of health care and disease management appropriate to needs/level of education and understanding and documents continuing needs and levels of patients/caregivers understanding
- Provides and documents skilled nursing care according to the plan of care/physicians orders, policies/procedures and standards of care
- Provides nursing services within the scope of practice authorized by the license issued by the state for a registered nurse
- Employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment, including implementation of infection control and safety policies
- Evaluates progress toward the attainment of outcomes/goals and modification of plan as needed
- Participates in on-going care coordination and maintains positive relationships with referral sources, physicians/other clinicians, patients/families, and other partners
- Participates with other nurses in taking weekend, night and holiday calls on a rotating basis
- Continually strives to improve nursing care through participation in inservice activities, staff development activities and continuing learning
- Teaches, supports, and supervises Licensed Practical Nurses and Home Health Aides
- Serves on committees as assigned
- Performs other duties as assigned by the DON/Administrator/Director of Services