Job Description

Northern Montana Hospital

Registered Nurse - BHS

The Behavioral health Services (BHS) Registered Nurse is a self-motivated professional registered nurse and

resource person who assesses, plans, implements and evaluates care of the mentally ill and / or chemically

dependent client.  She / he will be accountable for planning, directing and evaluation of patient care.  She

 / he has knowledge relative to the ages served from adolescents to geriatrics.

(Education, License / Registration, Experience, Knowledge and Abilities)

• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
• Licensed to practice in the State of Montana.
• Prefer experience in mental health and / or substance abuse nursing.

Category classifications have been developed to assist employees in determining their risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  These categories are:

Category I        Employee will have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine jobs.

Category II       Employee may have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine jobs.

Category III     Employee will not have exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the performance of their routine job.

Scope of practice includes:

• Utilizing assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, patient teaching and evaluation to provide age specific direct care for assigned patients.
• Guiding and supervising other personnel regarding delegated care.

• Accurately and timely documents patient care in individualized care plans, nursing notes, unusual occurrences and corrective actions taken, and other documentation as per unit policy.
• Accurately and timely completes verbal shift reports on patient’s status.
• Directs and carries out the medical staff’s plan of care for each patient.
• Works with other departments coordinating patient plan of care.
• Assists in directing, supervising and evaluating BHS technicians and aides.
• Assists in providing direct patient care as needed to meet all patient’s needs.
• Assesses patient’s physical, mental and emotional status on a daily basis.
• Provides medical treatments to patients as ordered by the physician.
• Takes verbal or telephone physician orders and implements said care.
• Communicates with patient’s families and provides education and assistance regarding patient care issues and orientation to the health care environment and discharge plans.
• Demonstrates competency in Meditech computer applications for documentation.
• Takes and records vital signs accurately.
• Carries out appropriate isolation procedures.
• Performs CPR as needed.
• Assesses patients for signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect.
• Assesses patients for the need of additional safety measures (restraints / seclusion).
• Evaluates patients for age appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms.
• Modifies medication dosages as calculated by patient’s size and weight.
• Attends and reports on patient’s condition at care conferences.
• Provides concurrent and discharge instructions to the patient and family / significant others so that program follow through is assured.
• Demonstrates competency in use of psychotropic medications and side effects.
• Provides information to the patient or family / significant other regarding community support groups.
• Provide patients with lectures / videos and assist in processing information per treatment plan.
• Lead Goals group and assist with Cognitive Therapy as needed on the unit.
• Provide a therapeutic milieu on the unit and encourage patient participation in activities.
• Assist patients with art therapy, relaxation therapy and exercise therapy.
• Answers the telephone and takes appropriate messages.
• Performs other duties as required.

• Assists in transporting patients to ancillary services for procedures as needed.
• Participates in nursing, hospital committees, QA’s or CQI teams.
• Acts as a preceptor for orienting newly hired staff members.
• Demonstrates competency in use of medical equipment for patient care (glucoscan, IV pump, suction machines, and crash cart).
• Inserts and cares for Foley catheters.
• Performs procedures to patients such as I & O.
• Obtains specimens for various cultures (such as urine).
• Monitors narcotic usage and the medication administration record.

• Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with safe working techniques, reports unsafe working conditions promptly and participates in department safety assessment.
• Demonstrates the ability to be a self-starter and practices good organization skills.
• Demonstrates good customer relation skills.
• Maintains honesty at all times.
• Completes required annual safety updates and other appropriate in-services and workshops.
• Demonstrates the willingness to work varying shifts and hours.
• Demonstrates ability to work and communicate well with supervisor and other employees.
• Consistently performs work duties and does not deviate to personal activities.
• Uses sick time appropriately and is punctual at all times.
• Works well under pressure.
• Sincerely and positively reflect concern and inspire confidence when interacting with others.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently, without direct supervision.
• Respects confidentiality of patients.
• Strives to problem solve conflicts by using proper communication channels and chain of command.
• Adheres to hospital / department dress code and grooming standards.
• Performance is consistently accurate and dependable.
• Demonstrates orderly work habits.
• Demonstrates knowledge relative to the ages served from adolescents to geriatrics.

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