RN Intake Specialist

New Mexico Behavioral Healthcare - Albuquerque, NM

Full-time - Mid Level

Albuquerque, NM

About the position

The RN Intake Specialist at New Mexico Behavioral Healthcare is responsible for providing professional nursing care to psychiatric patients across various age groups. This role involves designing and implementing nursing care plans, conducting patient assessments, and ensuring adherence to hospital policies while promoting recovery in a mental health environment.

Responsibilities

• Interview, examine, and assess the health status of psychiatric patients with various cognitive, emotional, developmental, social, and behavioral disorders.
• Observe patient behavior, activities, and mental status; perform triage and crisis intervention.
• Write treatment plans; coordinate patient drug and procedure activities; administer medication and treatment; provide and coordinate nursing care of assigned patients; may facilitate group therapy and/or education sessions.
• Chart and report observed symptoms, reactions, treatments, and changes in the patients' conditions; collect and document data and information; may perform computerized data entry.
• Perform nursing intakes, draw blood and other patient specimens; may perform or coordinate laboratory tests.
• Educate patients and families on treatment regimens, management of side effects, and compliance with the treatment plans; provide emotional support and act as an advocate for patients and families.
• Provide information and facilitate communication between physicians, medical students, staff, patients, families, and community; coordinate and consult with a milieu of service providers.
• Follow established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
• Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings, and workshops.
• Perform various administrative functions such as monitoring expenditures and preparing reports and correspondence; may participate in a variety of research projects to develop service plans; may propose changes to program policies and procedures.
• Participate in orientation, and having successfully completed preceptor training, assume precepting and evaluation responsibilities of new personnel.
• Assist with special tests and procedures, ensure proper consent has been obtained.
• Assist with or institute emergency measures for sudden, adverse developments in patients.
• Administer medication, including IV medication, via the Seven Rights; document and communicate clinical findings.
• Maintain a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients/families in accordance with Hospitals standards.
• Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures, and protocols; demonstrate a proactive approach to patient safety.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse (RN) License or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License required.
• BLS Certification required.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing or related field preferred.
• Experience in medication administration and care plans for psychiatric patients.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in triage and crisis intervention in a psychiatric setting.
• Familiarity with electronic health records and computerized data entry.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance