Under general supervision, assists in management of a psychiatric nursing service unit; performs general counseling and professional nursing care and treatment of the mentally and emotionally ill; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
An employee in this class is responsible for assisting administrative staff and the professional psychiatric staff in assessing total patient need and staff capabilities; developing treatment plans; and assuming full responsibility as charge nurse for an assigned shift.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Serves as charge nurse for an assigned shift; plans psychiatric nursing assignments to utilize skills of personnel; schedules and assigns personnel.
Supervises and participates in preliminary psychiatric assessments; evaluates, coordinates and supervises implementation of multi-disciplinary treatment plans; reviews patient progress and success of plans.
Directs and participates in skilled medical nursing care; supervises and administers prescribed treatments and medications; charts response and progress; maintains a safe therapeutic environment for patients.
Supervises and participates in therapy groups, individual counseling and family conferences as necessary; may provide crisis intervention, crisis stabilization and follow-up therapy; may make crisis referrals as required.
Interprets and implements policies, procedures and standards of care in conformity with State law and State Department of Mental Health regulations.
Participates in orienting, teaching, directing and evaluating assigned personnel; plans and participates in patient education and rehabilitation.
Controls the use and requisitioning of supplies on an assigned shift; supervises accurate recording of medications and treatments.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Two years of experience as a registered nurse in an acute Mental Health care facility.
Substitution: (1) Possession of a Bachelor's degree in nursing with a psychiatric specialization may be substituted for one year of nursing experience.
Substitution: (2) Possession of a Master's Degree in psychiatric nursing may be substituted for 18 months of nursing experience.
Licenses & Certificates: Current registration as a nurse in the State of California.
KNOWLEDGE
Theory, techniques and practices of psychiatric nursing; current mental health treatment approaches; mental health laws as diagnostic categories of mental illness; psychopharmacology; principles of individual and group therapy.
ABILITY
Supervise, teach, assist and evaluate members of a psychiatric nursing service unit; prepare and maintain records, charts and reports; maintain a high standard of psychiatric and general nursing care; deal with patients sympathetically and empathetically while performing treatments prescribed; instruct patients in health care; maintain a safe facility environment; follow oral and written instructions of technical and professional nature in exact detail; establish and maintain effective working relationships; restrain overactive patients.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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