Travel Nurse RN - Psychiatric
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Parkridge Valley

Documentation system: Meditech.

Patient Experience requirements: Prefer behavioral health experience.

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.

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.

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 changes in the patient condition.

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.

Formulates teaching plans based upon patients identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning.

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.

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 Manager 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.

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.

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

Number of Beds: 16.

Patient Ratios: 1:4, 1-2 nurses/3 Mental Health Techs.

Unit staffing description: Each unit is staffed with a manager on days and supervisor at night. Also 24/7 House Supervisor coverage for hospital.

Dress Code: Navy scrubs.

Unit Guidelines/Policies: Must maintain therapeutic psychiatric boundaries with patients.

Awards/Recognition: Please include anything that you would like prospective candidates to be aware of, such as links to videos that feature the department, outstanding department/team awards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVoNfMrTQK4

Any additional information that would entice a worker to select your unit for their assignment: Nurses self-schedule, blank schedule is posted and nurses work together to fill out the schedule, nurse manager reconciles schedule and then post schedule.