Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Unit (Days)

Status: 0.9 FTE, 12 hour day shift

JOB SUMMARY (overview of job): The Registered Nurse executes comprehensive nursing care activities and provides nursing staff leadership. He/she assesses patient needs, plans and implements patient care activities, and evaluates the patient’s response to treatment. He/she manages activities within the therapeutic milieu and directs the delivery of nursing care by other members of the nursing treatment team. The BHU RN will demonstrate knowledge of the nursing process as a standard, incorporating elements of holistic care through the collection, verification and organization of data about a patient’s health status, planning for care, implementation of the plan and evaluation. The RN will provide direct and indirect patient care in the BHU setting. Provides care that reflects initiative, flexibility and responsibility indicative of professional expectation with a minimum of supervision. The RN will also act as a resource and mentor for new and inexperienced nurses as needed. Determines priorities of care based on physical and psychosocial needs. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of mental health medications, method of administration, rate of delivery, drug properties, and safe handling. Provides ongoing education to patients and their families about their medications. Communicates with physician/nurse manager/co-workers as appropriate about changes in a patient's condition. Is able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE: 1-3 years of experience to demonstrate ability to accept responsibility as a staff RN.

EDUCATION: Graduate of professional school of nursing.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRY: Current Montana License as a Registered Nurse. BLS certification required.