Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health, Days

University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH) offers the residents of northeastern Maryland an unparalleled combination of clinical expertise, leading-edge technology, and an exceptional patient experience.

A community-based, integrated, non-profit health system, our vision is to become the preferred, integrated health system creating the healthiest community in Maryland. We are dedicated to maintaining and improving the health of the people in our community through an integrated health delivery system that provides high quality care to all. Our commitment to service excellence is evident through a broad range of health care services, technologies and facilities. We work collaboratively with our community and other health organizations to serve as a resource for health promotion and education.

Today, UM UCH is the leading health care system and second largest private employer in Harford County. Our 3,500 team members and over 650 medical staff physicians serve residents of Harford County, eastern Baltimore County, and western Cecil County.

This is an incredible opportunity to join an innovative, trauma-informed team of behavioral health professionals where you can offer recovery, resilience, and hope so individuals in our community live their best lives. Full-time registered nurse positions are available at the Upper Chesapeake Health Inpatient Behavioral Health Pavilion in Aberdeen, Maryland.

This role is considered the minimum role for all nurses who have greater than 12 months experience. Provides and coordinates independent care to patients within a clinical specialty as a fully effective and participative member of the multidisciplinary patient care services team. Utilizes the institution’s care delivery and professional practice models as the frame of reference for practicing as a professional nurse. Participates in activities to develop own practice, and to support group practice goals at the unit level. Is accountable to patient, family and team members for care provided and to the nurse manager for totality of work performance. Is accountable to hold to the Service Standards and to the Nursing Mission, Vision and Values.

Our Psychiatric Inpatient Registered Nurses perform a wide range of professional psychiatric nursing services, including assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care and needs, in accordance with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Plan (ITP) for a population of acutely ill adult psychiatric patients who range from 18 years of age to geriatric. Registered nurses administer medical treatment as prescribed by the attending psychiatrist or advanced practice provider and are responsible for teaching and providing support to patients including but not limited to disease education, medication education, supportive engagement, facilitation of psychoeducational groups and safety planning. De-escalation ability and management of disruptive behaviors are key aspects of the psychiatric registered nurse role. RNs also delegate to and coordinate with behavioral health nursing support staff – behavioral health associates, patient care technicians, and milieu assistants.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. These are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Clinical Practice:

• Competency in care of unit specific patient population; independently practices with solid knowledge and clinical skills; engaged in advancing own practice.
• Serves as a clinical resource for others.
• Applies and integrates evidence into practice
• Functions effectively in roles specific to unit, such as arrest team for ICU, triage for ED, etc.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to plan and coordinate care; independently advocating for patient/family needs
• Models practice consistent with unit operations to ensure safe, timely effective, efficient, equitable, patient centered care.

Professional Development:

• Engaged in advancing own practice.
• Responsible for maintaining competencies required for that patient care setting; focus on advancing own professional development.
• Attends unit based staff development independently.
• Demonstrates the ability to serve as a trained preceptor and coach’s new nurse and students.
• Contributes to developing/evaluating unit based orientation and other education activities.
• Contributes to nursing support personnel skills and development.
• Completes CE’s on an annual basis based on facility minimum requirements.

Service/Quality:

• Acts to facilitate cost control in use of material resources by regularly consulting with Charge Nurse regarding the predominant patient problem, or co-existing problem so that a course of action can be more astutely planned to achieve continuity of care.  
• Demonstrates commitment to patient/family cultural beliefs and practices by carrying out interventions as noted on critical pathways or multidisciplinary plan of care.
• Demonstrates trust, respect, honesty, and caring attitudes with patient/families and other members of the health care team.
• Participates and contributes to Performance Improvement, or Evidence Based Practice, or research at the unit level. 
• Complies with standards and participates with unit level activities for regulatory compliance.  

Patient Safety:

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Implements policies, procedures, and guidelines consistently in the performance of assigned duties.
• Develops effective working relationships and maintains good communication with other team members.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.
• Participates in hospital, departmental and/or unit patient safety initiatives.

Unit Operations:

• Demonstrates the ability to function in the charge nurse role.
• Participates in teambuilding efforts on their unit.
• Contributes to briefings/staff meetings regularly.
• Contributes and participates in unit, Nursing Division, and organizational governance structure.
• Participates in recruitment and retention activities at the unit level.
• Provides feedback in peer review as requested.
• Provides direct performance feedback at the direction of the nurse manager.

Education & Training: 

• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Maryland, or eligible to practice due to Compact state agreements outlined through the MD Board of Nursing, is required
• Associate’s degree in nursing required, BSN preferred
• Current knowledge of recovery-oriented care and trauma-informed care preferred.
• One year nursing experience Solid knowledge and clinical skills
• Experience in the field of behavioral health and/or acute general experience preferred
• ANCC licensure as a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse preferred
• Current BLS certification required (American Heart Association)
• Up-to-date status on all mandatory training and classes
• Maintenance of 10 contact hours of education every two years

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

 Compensation:

• Full-time Days (7am-7:30pm)
• Pay Range: $37.00 - $54.18/hr.
• Other Compensation (if applicable): Shift Differential  
  • $15,000 Sign-on Bonus; restrictions may apply

• Review the 2024-2025 UMMS Benefits Guide

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