Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN)

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:

1. Licensed Registered Nurse in the state where HomeCare agency is located.
2. Minimum one (1) year experience as a RN/professional nurse.
3. Experience in home care is desirable.
4. 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:
5. RN with a MSN with major in psychiatric/mental health nursing and nursing experience (unspecified period of time) in a psychiatric setting, OR
6. RN with BSN and one year experience in psychiatric setting, OR
7. RN with AD or diploma and two years experience in a psychiatric setting

Performance Requirements:

1. Ability to read, write, learn, absorb, and apply professional training; follow physician’s orders and keep records in prescribed manner.
2. Ability to be reaching, bending, squatting and twisting numerous times daily.
3. Ability to lift 70-80 pounds on occasional basis.
4. Ability to see and hear adequately in order to respond to auditory and visual requests from patients.
5. Ability to speak in clear, concise voice in order to communicate adequately.
6. Ability to carry out fine motor skills with manual dexterity.
7. Mental acuity high enough to adequately perform job requirements.
8. Must have reliable personal transportation and be able to drive in inclement weather and variable road conditions.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Utilizes the nursing process to identify and achieve patient goals: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
2. 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.
3. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to assure personal care, medical care and rehabilitation provide for optimal patient health and well-being.
4. 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.
5. Provides and documents skilled nursing care according to the plan of care/physicians orders, policies/procedures and standards of care.
6. Provides nursing services within the scope of practice authorized by the license issued by the state for a registered nurse.
7. Employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment, including implementation of infection control and safety policies.
8. Evaluates progress toward the attainment of outcomes/goals and modification of plan as needed.
9. Participates in on-going care coordination and maintains positive relationships with referral sources, physicians/other clinicians, patients/families, and other partners.
10. Participates with other nurses in taking weekend, night and holiday calls on a rotating basis.
11. Continually strives to improve nursing care through participation in inservice activities, staff development activities and continuing learning.
12. Teaches, supports, and supervises Licensed Practical Nurses and Home Health Aides.
13. Serves on committees as assigned.
14. Performs other duties as assigned by the DON/Administrator/Director of Services.