Psychiatric Nurse Therapist

Major Responsibilities:

• Conducts initial and ongoing assessments of patients and bases treatment planning on the assessment.
  •     1)• Interviews patients in a systematic way and documents self administration of medication and reconciles medication appropriately.
  •     2)• Assesses patients in a systematic way and documents according to Join Commission and Medicare standards.
  •     3)• Conducts crisis and walk-in assessments on patients referred from the Emergency Department, managed care companies, and referrals from the community. Makes appropriate decisions for level of care and treatment based on the assessment.
  •     4)• Anticipates and identifies changes in a patient’s condition and takes appropriate action.
  •     5)• Assesses patients’ abilities to manage in an outpatient setting on a daily basis.
• Provides appropriate case management services.
  •     1)• Provides care in a timely manner anticipating needs and communicating the plan from caregiver to caregiver to assure continuity.
  •     2)• Develops new and utilizes established pathways, algorithms, and guidelines in delivering patient care.
  •     3)• Implements patient educational plans based on assessment.
  •     4)• Possesses and utilizes excellent knowledge base of psychotherapy and psychotropic medications in treatment interventions.
  •     5)• Provides individual, group and family therapy and other interventions as identified in the treatment plan.
  •     6)• Educates and assesses the family/significant other/agency capacity and readiness for their responsibility in the continuing care of the patient.
  •     7)• Coordinates multidisciplinary communication for effective discharge implementation.
  •     8)• Evaluates patients for safety when patient leaves program for the day/weekend.
  •     9)• Evaluates treatment plan and revises interventions toward the resolution of focal problems and patient readiness for discharge.
• Provides effective program management in the delivery of care.
  •     1)• Develops and oversees daily program changes based on assessment of all patients’ needs.
  •     2)• Evaluates and maintains adequate staffing on a daily basis to maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu.
  •     3)• Adapts program components to adhere to milieu issues and patient needs.
  •     4)• Collects and disseminates pertinent clinical data to enable program decisions. Emphasis on timely communication with the attending physician and the patient's primary care physician on medical treatment.
  •     5)• Assesses and monitors unit safety.

Licensure:

• Nurse, Registered (RN)

Education/Experience Required:

• * Eff. 6/1/2012:  BSN preferred, ADN with agreement to enroll in BSN completion program in two years to be completed in five years. AND Masters degree in nursing or related Master's degree requirement . Three years’ nursing experience in adult Psychiatry or related behavioral health or substance abuse.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Clinically appropriate skills. Ability to cooperate and work well with internal/external customers. Communication skills.
• Current Illinois RN license.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to patient-focused care. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with established time constraints and in difficult situations. May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases. Ability to perform lifting/transfer activities related to patients (up to 100 lbs may be required). Ability to work designated shifts, including weekends and holidays. Ability to transport objects from one location to another. This position needs to recognize the needs and behaviors of specific age groups of patients treated. Must be able to manage the aggressive patient.
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.