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Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services is the only freestanding, full-service psychiatric hospital in the Birmingham Area.  It draws on a rich tradition while staying on the cutting edge of new developments in treating psychiatric illness and enhancing mental health.  We treat mental illness, emotional problems, and adults with chemical dependency.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Demonstrates knowledge, effectiveness, and efficiency in providing nursing care. Provides a safe and therapeutic environment that ensures patient’s rights are respected.

• Performs daily documentation accurately reflecting the nursing process. Performs Nursing Assessments and nursing interventions that reflect the patient’s Treatment Plan.

• Utilizes the nursing process in planning, providing, and evaluating patient care and provides a written nursing assessment. Utilizes information from the Nursing Assessment to identify patient problems and documents appropriate nursing interventions.

• Safely prepares, administers, documents and monitors results of medications.

• Responds appropriately to crisis situations. Therapeutically intervenes to de-escalate and calm anxious and/or acting out patients.

• Applies and /or directs the use of physical restraints. Utilizes time-out and seclusion in an emergency situation, while following policy and procedures (P&P). Also notify physician for orders within one hour of seclusion or restraint.

• Coordinates completion of Master Treatment Plan (MTP) with team members.  Assists in developing measurable goals. Modifies the nursing component of the Master Treatment Plan as required by patient needs or determined by evaluation of care.

• Develops a therapeutic relationship with assigned patients. Sets limits for inappropriate patient behaviors according to program guidelines. Encourages safe independent behavior in patients.

• Establishes positive contact with patient’s physician and social worker to assist in planning patient’s care. Collaborates with members of other disciplines.

• Admits, discharges, and transfers patients based on physician orders and per P&P.

• Guide other nursing and unit staff; communicates changes to appropriate staff, and record changes.

• Reviews medical records; checks and records physician orders.

• Demonstrates effective leadership skills in supervising non-licensed staff in providing quality patient care.

• Acts as charge nurse when so designated by the Director of Nursing or designee.

• Consistently demonstrates competence in day to day scheduling of duties by completing tasks on time with little assistance from others. Completes reports, tests, and documents within the allotted time frame.

• Assumes responsibility for personal continuing education and development needs.

• Demonstrates awareness and follows program policies to include contraband and sharps, search policy and understand the significance of enforcing these policies to promote a safe, drug-free environment.

• Properly documents TLOAs and handles medication regarding TLOAs per P&P.

• Adheres to all policies and procedures of the hospital including OSHA 29 C.F.R. Part 1910.1030 Blood-borne Pathogens, up to and including the appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of National Patient Safety Goals, and the policies and standards of accreditation entities including but not limited to Joint Commission, DMH, DHR, and CMS.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the theory and skills to reduce Seclusions/Restraints and other restrictive measures as well as physical, mental and emotional risk factors.