In accordance with professional nursing standards and practice, the mental health nurse will provide optimum health care to the substance abuser, emotionally disturbed patient and patients with a dual diagnosis by assisting them in attaining the highest level of wellness of which they are capable. The mental health nurse provides care of the patient using the nursing process. The mental health nurse assumes a leadership role in prioritizing assignments based on patient activity, complexity, resources available, staffing and skills mix.

NURSING PROCESS

Assessment

• Assesses patient’s physical, social and psychological status through direct observation, interview of the patient and the medical, physical and mental assessment.
• Utilizes observational skills to assess patients and family needs.
• Documents a complete nursing assessment to include fall, pain, suicide and nutrition, psychosocial, environmental factors, educational level and needs and discharge planning factors.
• Obtains and review available data base and any data collected by other members of the health team.
• Identifies nursing care problems resulting from substance abuse or prolonged use of neurolepties, mental illness.
• Re-assesses continuously to improve patient care.
• Communicates findings with other members of the health team.
• Summarizes and documents all findings clearly and concisely.

• Formulates, prioritizes and document nursing diagnosis consistent with the assessment data.
• Includes physiological, psychosocial, emotional and educational needs of the patients.

• Formulates and documents patient centered, measurable goals consistent with the nursing diagnosis.
• Documents the written plan of care reflecting knowledge of physiological, psychological and emotional aspect of care for patients.
• Identifies patient level of education, learning needs and discharge planning needs on the day of admission.

Intervention/Implementation

• Communicates and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in implementing comprehensive plan of care in response to patient needs.
• Utilizes clinical skills in the provision of nursing care and management of patient including but not limited to:
  • Identification of withdrawal symptoms
  • Management of the agitated patient
  • Administration of medications
  • Management of the dependent / suicidal patient.
• Intervenes appropriately in psychiatric emergencies utilizing the non-violent crisis interventions.
• Maintains all levels of Infection Control Standards.
• Provides for psychosocial and educational needs of the patients.
• Provides health teaching /counseling sessions on an individual basis and in a group setting on the unit.
• Provides health teaching counseling sessions on an individual basis and in a group setting on the unit.
• Participates in treatment plan, medical rounds, interdisciplinary rounds and clinical assessment as scheduled.
• Ensures that all procedures are performed based on established nursing mental health standards. Demonstrates competency in performing all procedures within scope of practice.
• Investigate, resolve, communicates, and documents all required information regarding unusual occurrences.
• Delegates, guides and assists ancillary nursing personnel in tasks appropriate to their role.
• May have unsupervised patient contact in the course of performing their duties.

• Interprets, communicates and documents the patient’s response based on the nursing and medical regimen.
• Revises the patient’s plan of care based on evaluation of the interventions and expected outcomes in collaboration with other members of the health care team.
• Evaluates the patient’s/significant other response to patient/discharge teaching.

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.

• Minimum one (1) year medical/surgical nursing experience preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.

Licenses, Certifications:

• Current NY State RN License required
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) required

Physical Requirements:

• Involves standing, walking, sitting, talking, hearing and bending.
• May include some repetitive motions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.