Supervisor Mental Health Nurse BSN

Title:                                    Mental Health Nurse Supervisor

Department:                   Mental Health Consultation

Cost Center:                    6644

FLSA:                                   Non-Exempt

Summary

Participates and supervises the process of providing patient and nursing staff consultations in the Emergency Department and on all nursing units; assesses psychiatric needs of patients, determines a plan of care and/or assists nursing staff to meet patient needs.  Works with the Emergency Department and Inpatient units to facilitate throughput of the mental health patients.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Must possess a current license to practice professional nursing or possess a temporary practice permit in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2. Appropriate clinical experience with a thorough knowledge of the scientific principles of nursing; a thorough knowledge of professional nursing standards; developed skill in delivering nursing care and the ability to adapt of individual needs required.
3. Two or more years of psychiatric nursing experience or clinical experience in a related field
4. A fundamental understanding of personal computers and familiarity with windows operating systems.
5. The ability to successfully complete a competency based orientation and annual competency testing of skills and/or knowledge that is necessary to provide care to specific patient populations.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.

2.    At least one year of psychiatric emergency room and/or psychiatric consultation-liaison experience.

Essential Functions

1. Exemplifies St. Clair Hospital’s Customer Service Behavioral Expectations in all interactions. Treats customers with respect, compassion, and hospitality; anticipates, identifies, and responds to individual needs; makes a positive first impression by acknowledging customers; and demonstrates flexibility while maintaining priorities.
2. Continues to develop the nursing processes to - to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care while considering the patient’s age and developmental stage.
3. Supervises and/or Completes mental health screening and assessment on patients identified with psychiatric/mental health issues in the Emergency Department and on the medical-surgical units as ordered by the physician.
4. Serves as a liaison by communicating pertinent observations and reactions, collateral information from family, other health care providers and/or significant others, occurrences, abnormal diagnostic results, or negative response to treatment or intervention to physician and/or appropriate health team members.
5. Precisely documents and monitors patient assessments, interventions, and responses to treatments or interventions.
6. Provides necessary mental health commitment information to the county electronically and via telephone.
7. Provides insurance companies with essential clinical information for pre-authorization processes.
8. Demonstrates competency in crisis intervention techniques including de-escalation and restraint management.
9. Assists medical nursing staff with implementation of psychiatric and drug and alcohol protocols.
10. Maintains the dignity and confidentiality of patients and acts as their advocate.  Respects patients’ rights to privacy, cultural, spiritual, and belief differences, and the right to choice.
11. Practice and serves as a subject matter expert in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures, related to patient care, quality improvement, safety, infection control and environment.
12. Communicates effectively with patients, families, and all members of the health team.
13. Maintains a positive image with all customers by responding to patient needs in a timely manner, exercising appropriate telephone manners, courteousness, and helpfulness.  Works with ED leadership to assure patient care and appropriate clinical pathway
14. Maintains clinical competency through on the job training, attending in service training classes and continuing education.
15. May be required to assist on the inpatient unit as needed.