About the position
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is seeking a dedicated Psychiatric Staff Nurse to help support the Child and Adolescent, I (CA I) Department for its Oakland location located on the 3rd Floor. The Child/Adolescent I unit is a 26-bed unit which specializes in the treatment of behavioral and emotional problems of children and adolescents typically between 3 and 18 years old. This position will work days/evenings with both 8 and 12 hour shifts. For more than 70 years, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital has been a national leader in the treatment of mental health and addictive disorders throughout the lifespan. In conjunction with the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, we continue to strive to be one of the nation's foremost academic-based psychiatric care facilities and remain dedicated to providing professionals with state-of-the-art training and assistance.
Responsibilities
- Performs a nursing assessment and initial plan of care within 8 hours of patient's admission. Orients/educates patient regarding hospitalization.
- Documents in the medical record according to established policies.
- Maintains current knowledge of medication policies and practices, including side effects, dosage, and patient response.
- Completes medication administration safely and accurately, including transcription, administration, and documentation according to established policies.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of DSM IV diagnosis as evidenced by individual, group, and milieu therapeutic interventions.
- Manages crisis situations effectively using positive approaches.
- Adheres to Nursing Standards and Policies including ANA Standards for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, ANA Professional Code for Nurses, the WPIC policies and procedures and the Nurse Practice Act.
- Performs point of care testing per unit (i.e., glucose monitoring, urinalysis, Hemocults).
- Performs charge RN responsibilities competently and effectively.
- Participates with unit management in Program Development and Performance Improvement Activities.
- Participates in interdisciplinary activities including, treatment team, staff meeting, co-worker feedback process and other committees as assigned.
- Follows research protocols as required.
- Maintains competency requirements.
- Attends two unit-based or institute-wide in-services yearly.
- Serves as mentor to students and new employees.
- Learns and utilizes up-to-date technology in delivery of patients care.
- Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
Requirements
- Graduation from an approved School of Nursing required.
- BSN preferred.
- Six months of experience in Clinical Psychiatry preferred.
- Successful completion of the central and unit specific orientation programs including the medication proficiency examination.
- The incumbent must be physically capable of providing direct total physical care to unpredictable, potentially violent, mentally ill patients as necessary including lifting, supporting, running towards or away from areas where problems are occurring, and pushing and pulling equipment, such as, wheelchairs, stretchers, and beds.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in Clinical Psychiatry.
Benefits
- $15,000 sign-on bonus available for nurses with over one year of experience
- $12,500 sign-on bonus available for Graduate Nurses and nurses with less than one year of experience
- Starting rate for GN level candidate $31.50 (BSN $33)
- Starting rate may be increased commensurate with previous nursing experience.
