Psychiatric Liaison Nurse

POSITION SUMMARY

The Psychiatric Liaison Nurse, under the clinical supervision of the Manager Behavioral Health provides professional nursing care to patients.  IS responsible for performing behavioral health assessments, planning, implementing, and evaluating the behavioral health treatment provided to the patient on the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) and the Emergency Room patient with ordered mental health evaluation.  Will also act as a resource/support to the acute medical care inpatient units with the behavioral management of patients with behavioral health issues throughout the Medical Center. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

1. Baccalaureate degree in Nursing, Psychology or related behavioral science field preferred.

Experience:

1. Minimum of one year full time experience in psychiatric nursing or employment in a behavioral health setting with an understanding of addictions and mental health diagnosis, triage and treatment preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Ability to function with a high degree of independence.
2. Possess strong problem solving skills.
3. Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others.
4. Presents self in a professional and supportive manner.
5. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
6. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with diverse populations.

License/Certification/Registration:

1. Current licensure as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 
2. Certification in area of specialization by the American Nurses Credentialing Service preferred.
3. Meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives clinical supervision from the Manager Behavioral Health.  Will work collaboratively with the Medical Director and psychiatric provider team consisting of physicians and CRNP’s.  Performs duties in an independent manner. Seeks guidance when necessary. Will collaborate with the Behavioral Health Unit charge nurse to best meet the behavioral health needs of the Medical Center.  Consults with the Manager Behavioral Health when unusual situations arise.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Performs inpatient Behavioral Health Unit RN duties
   1. The nurse applies appropriate theory that is scientifically sound as a basis for decisions regarding nursing practice.
      1. Assumes responsibility for continuing education, professional development that may include clinical supervision, to be defined at the time of evaluation.
      2. Respects and protects the patient's right to confidentiality.
   2. Collects data that is comprehensive, accurate and systematic
   3. Assesses the patient in each of the following areas: 
      1. Physical Assessment / Systems Review
      2. Mental/Physical Status
      3. Medication status and compliance history
      4. Risk factors;
      5. Patients expectations of the hospitalization all within 8 hours of admission
   4. Supervises the psychiatric counselor's data collection through direct observation and through documentation.
   5. Collects data from outpatient providers, and family/significant others as appropriate.
   6. Conducts ongoing concurrent insurance reviews for the inpatient Behavioral Health Unit patients as needed.
   7. Develops a nursing care plan with specific goals and unique to each client's needs.
      1. Collaborates with clients in establishing individualized treatment plans.
      2. Contributes with other disciplines in establishing Interdisciplinary Treatment Plans within twenty-four (24) hours of admission.
   8. Intervenes as guided by the treatment plan to implement nursing actions that promote, maintain or restore physical and mental health, prevent illness and effect rehabilitation.
      1. Assists families and patients to achieve satisfying and productive patterns of living through health teaching.
      2. Administers medication as ordered and provides medication teaching based on current knowledge, to include purpose, side effects, and contraindications.
      3. Uses the ADL's in a goal directed way to foster adequate self care, as well as physical and mental well-being.
      4. Maintains a safe environment for patients, visitors and employees.
   9. The RN, minimally, is proficient in the use of 
      1. oxygen equipment
      2. suction equipment
      3. saline locks
      4. foley and straight catheters
      5. ambu bag
      6. enema equipment
      7. accessing resources in order to gain the information to perform nursing procedures.
2. Completes quality behavioral health clinical assessments of emergency room patients with a consultation request.  
   1. Reviews presenting illness and symptoms including dangerousness to self or others, past psychiatric and/or medical history, relevant social and family history and history of substance abuse. 
   2. Obtains information to assist the physician with his/her determination of need for inpatient hospitalization or outpatient treatment.
   3. Provides written and/or verbal communication that is concise and addresses behavioral health plans of care and follow up. 
   4. Provides crisis intervention and referral services as needed.
   5. Conducts insurance pre-authorizations for patients requiring hospitalization.
   6. Coordinate the transition of the patient to the Behavioral Health Unit including the admission process and documentation.
3. Acts as a psychiatric liaison for patients in the acute medical inpatient units of the Medical Center requiring behavioral health intervention 
   1. Reviews presenting illness and symptoms including dangerousness to self or others, past psychiatric and/or medical history, relevant social and family history and history of substance abuse. 
   2. Obtains information to assist the physician with his/her determination of need for inpatient hospitalization or outpatient treatment.
   3. Provides written and/or verbal communication that is concise and addresses behavioral health plans of care and follow up. 
   4. Conducts insurance pre-authorizations for patients requiring hospitalization.
   5. Coordinate the transition of the patient to the Behavioral Health Unit including the admission process and documentation.
4. Provides crisis intervention and referral services as needed.
   1. Provides detailed accurate information to clinicians regarding behavioral health problem of patient.
   2. Serves as a resource to other departments regarding crisis management for behavioral health issues.
5. Serves as a behavioral health resource and advocate.
   1. Acts as a resource person to the acute care nursing staff in implementation of a physician directed treatment plan and behavioral management of hospitalized patients with behavioral health issues.
   2. Acts as a resource person with the Emergency Department to assist with identifying and triaging acute behavioral health issues.  The Psychiatric Liaison Nurse will round throughout the shift to assess needs.
   3. Acts as a resource person with the Case Management department to facilitate appropriate and timely transfers/discharges.
   4. Serves as a resource and educator for staff and/or patients in the acute care units/departments.
   5. Assists in the identification of trends regarding resource utilization and quality of care related to behavioral health.
   6. Prepares reports/statistics as required.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.