Travel Nurse RN - Behavioral Health
Elmira, NY
First Connect Health
5x8 hrs, Evenings
Referral Bonus

Unit Description

We are a 25-bed acute inpatient psychiatry unit. We staff at least 5 staff for 18-25 patients (3 licenses, and 2 other staff (the other 2 could be any mix of licensed personnel or Mental Health Assistants (MHAs)). We staff at least 4 staff for 11-17 patients (with 3 licenses). One RN works in a charge nurse role, one RN in an Admission Nurse role and oversees all admissions for that shift, and another nurse (RN or LPN) does medications for all patients on their shift. RN's are trained on all 3 positions. There are also 2 “float” positions. This is our MHAs role, but an RN or LPN can also work in this position. This position does rounds, takes vitals, passes out trays, helps to provide patient care, facilitates groups, etc. Our MHA's also take patient assignments just like our nurses. All staff positions take a patient load, can do patient groups, rounding, VS, etc. as well. Up to a 5:1 ratio but often less. Patient population is acute psychosis presentations - depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, suicidal, homicidal, dual diagnosis. No Emergency Department within our hospital. For emergent medical issues with patients – call 911, send to ED (2 mile radius). BLS certified. We do not offer seclusion, restraints are a last resort when all other de-escalation techniques have failed. Nursing/clinical staff handle all restraints on the unit. Security staff are available for backup during crisis (patient escalation, manual holds, restraints).

Job Description

Job description is located in the document library. Schedule details: 5- 8 hour shifts 1500-2330, unless previously agreed upon changes to schedule. Holidays and every other weekend are expected. Cannot approve scheduled weekends off without coverage found unless previously specified within RDO. Blocked scheduling must be previously agreed upon.  Will be trained to charge nurse responsibility. There is a possibility of floating to like unit within our hospital (ARU-  Inpatient Addiction Rehab Unit). Hospital uniform policy for RNs is navy blue scrubs.