Travel Nurse RN - Behavioral Health
Chattanooga, TN
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions HCA
3x12 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

Unit Specifics:

·         Number of Beds: 22

·         Patient Ratios: 1:4, 1-2 nurses/4-5 Mental Health Techs

·         Unit staffing description- (unit secretaries and tech availability): Long term residential (4-6 months sometimes longer) for 13-17 years of age. All patients are in the Department of Children’s Services custody. Mental Health Techs run the groups and are with the patients 100% of the time. Each patient has a Physician, Social Service Representative (liaison for physician and family), Recreational Therapist, Nurse, Mental Health Tech. Each unit is also staffed with a manager on days and supervisor at night. Also 24/7 House Supervisor coverage for hospital.

·         Type of equipment: Computer, Welch Allen Vital Sign Machine, Novameter, Pyxis, Imobile

·         Documentation system: Meditech

·         Scheduling requirements: 3-12hr shifts a week /2 weekends a month (Saturday & Sunday)

·         Floating policy: may be floated to another unit or to do admissions

·         Patient Experience requirements: prefer behavioral health experience

Hospital Specifics-

·         Certifications: Joint Commission

Hiring profile

Requested Skill Set:

• Assures suicide, elopement, and other precautions are conducted according to need/order identified.
• Maintains therapeutic milieu, locked unit, locked sharps and assesses safety of the unit each shift.
• Conducts or delegates through search of patient for contraband upon admission and when need is indicated.
• Utilize specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skills necessary to assess data, plan, provide and evaluate care appropriate to the physical and developmental age of patients
• Directs and redirects team assignments as needed throughout shift
• Obtains and records initial assessment and establishes priorities for care according to patient age and needs
• Performs assessments and reassessments per policy and as needed based on charges or the patient condition.  This includes pediatric, geriatric and the general patient population
• Interacts with patient and family to develop and implement an individualized plan of care for the patient
• Adequately assesses and reassesses pain.  Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques.  Educates the patient and family regarding pain management and the patient / family role in medication safety.  Educates the staff regarding pain management
• Formulates teaching plans based upon patients identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning.  Family is included in teaching as appropriate
• Provides direct patient care and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Monitors hemodynamic status of patient and correctly interprets the results
• Demonstrates knowledge of monitoring specific to patient population and intervenes as indicated
• Implements and documents timely interventions appropriate to patient needs
• Maintains a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients and families
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors
• Demonstrates knowledge of medications and medication effects based on age of the patient and their clinical condition
• Follows the five medication rights to reduce the potential for medication error
• Reassesses patients systematically to identify outcomes of care and identifies needs that require intervention
• Demonstrates knowledge of growth and development over the life span and provides age appropriate care to the patient population served
• Interprets data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s age specific needs and provides care needed by the patient group
• Evaluates outcomes of care as indicated by the patient’s response to treatment, revises plan of care, and sets priorities for care
• Works collaboratively with SSRs to assure appropriate utilization of services and to plan for post discharge needs, while keeping Manger informed
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity.  Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious / spiritual needs of patients and their families
• Acknowledges and implements physician orders in timely manner.
• Assists physicians with procedures specific to department
• Completes occurrence reports on all incidents or unusual events prior to end of shift, or assist staff in doing so.
• Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers. Makes rounds on all patients each shift.
• Coordinates assignments and makes adjustments based upon patient and unit needs; follows up on delegated patient care tasks for quality and completeness.
• Staffs / flexes according to Staffing Guidelines
• Validates all LPN / MHT / staff RN assessments / documentation on shift assigned
• Functions as a Preceptor or an educational resource in the initial and ongoing orientation of all assigned to the department (staff, students, etc)
• Supports restraint free environment utilizing preventative measures and de-escalation skills/techniques.

Must have: valid Driver’s License

Advanced skills needed: this campus only goes up to first aid, any patient requiring a higher level of care will be transferred out to a medical hospital

Procedures performed on unit:  venipuncture, vital signs, suicide screenings, restraint/seclusion (no mechanical or chemical restraints), EKGs,

Certifications Required: BLS, CPI