Nurse Practitioner - Medical Psychiatric Unit

PRINCIPLE MISSION:

 To join the psychiatric teams in their clinical functions involving the care of patients with behavioral challenges; to facilitate a team approach in the management of patients with psychiatric disorders.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:                                                                                                      

1. Promotes a safe, cooperative and professional health care environment to ensure optimum patient care (as per HR Policy 113c).

2. Adheres to all hospital policies, procedures, rules and regulations, including but not limited to, absenteeism, ETIME, cellular telephone usage, dress code and rules of conduct.

3. Makes Customer Service a priority, treating customers (patients, visitors, and co-workers) in a professional manner exercising courtesy and tact. Effectively communicates with patients and others about SBH services in their area(s) of expertise or responsibility and ensures that concerns, questions or issues reach the right person(s) in SBH in a timely fashion. Excellent interpersonal, communications and customer service skills required. Must be a strong team player, pay attention to details and have the ability to multi-task. Computer literacy required.

4. Performs record reviews (including PSYCKES) to admitted patients to establish implementation of tailored management plans

5. Gathers relevant clinical information from collateral resources regarding patients admitted to inpatient psychiatric units

6. Attends and participates in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings for patients with extensive support systems(residences, ACT Etc)

7. Prepares behavioral/management plans for difficult/aggressive patients

8. Collaborates with physicians, nursing, social services to develop and implement discharge planning

9. Coordinates legal proceedings with the attending psychiatrist who testifies in court  

10. Provides psychoeducation to patients and families regarding psychiatric disorders

11. Collaborates and consults with medical/surgical disciplines in providing medical care to psychiatric patients

12. Participates in departmental and interdisciplinary committees which influence and/or determine policies affecting nursing practice and patient care delivery.

13.  Responsible for patient care as outlined within collaborative practice agreement.  Develops and implements a collaborative practice agreement in the specific clinical area and performs a periodic review of the collaborative agreement

14. Is open and responsive to the diverse backgrounds and experience of other people, and promotes an environment that is sensitive to cultural diversity.

The above statements reflect the general duties considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and License(s) Required:

• Master's degree program designed to prepare a registered nurse to provide acute/primary health care services or the successful completion of an approved supplemental education program, i.e., post-Masters NP certificate.
• Graduate of New York State registered Nurse Practitioner Program or equivalent OR is certified as a Nurse Practitioner by a national association via examination.
• Has completed a pharmacy component of not less than the required semester hours or the equivalent AND has been instructed in New York State and federal Laws relating to prescriptions and recordkeeping (3-hour course).
• Has a collaborative practice agreement with a physician and designated protocols, both filed with the New York State Department of Education.

Experience/Skills Required:

• Basic and advanced patient assessment skills.
• Behavioral health nursing experience preferred.
• Clinical teaching background required.
• BLS, ACLS and PALS certified, instructor status preferred.
• Successful completion of Advanced Trauma Life Support course within first year of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Extensive patient, nursing and physician contact

JOB HAZARDS:

• Exposure to patient violence