Job Summary: 

The Psychiatric Nurse will work as part of a team of medical professionals to provide psychiatric nursing care to patients of all ages, gender, religion and disposition, while creating a safe and therapeutic environment to aid their mental stability.

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise the nursing unit.
Supervising the delivery of care to all patients by junior staff/subordinate.
Delegate duties and monitor junior staff in carrying out their duties.
Oversee all identified group of patients and new admissions to the Practice.
Monitor and ensure that identified care planning is implemented and evaluated for all patients especially those within their identified groups
Monitor and ensure that care given is individualized, patient centered and in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team and other statutory and voluntary organizations as appropriate
Supervise the orientation of newly admitted patient on the principles, rules and regulations governing the unit at the point of admission and ensure that these rules are strictly adhered to by the patients
Oversee and ensure that all the policies and admission documents are signed by the patient and their relations where applicable
Supervise patient personal care duties, which would include washing, bathing and dressing using appropriate hoists and aids. Often uses equipment and clinical procedures requiring knowledge e.g. subcutaneous infusions, catheter care, wound care, pressure relieving equipment
Conduct and interpret a Urine Drug Test for patients and clients and document the results appropriately
Supervise and ensure that a Urine Drug Test is conducted for all patient on board at any point if there is a suspected case of smuggling of substance into the facility
Act as a shift leader by overseeing and monitoring patient care.
Supervisor the completion of delegated tasks and duties of other junior staffs and subordinate.
Monitor writing of clinical reports, and updating of care plans.
Provide supervision/conduct performance appraisal of junior staff, as directed by the Head of Clinical Services.
Monitor pickup of new or old clients as required
Observe assigned patients on a daily basis to identify, interpret, and document physical and emotional status and/or patterns, such as assaultive or suicidal behaviour, and response to treatment or medication.
Oversee inspection of patient rooms every morning.
Check to ensure that the number of patients at handover tallies with the number at takeover given allowance for discharged cases in the course of the day.
Supervise inspection of rooms to ensure air conditioner and lights are switched off when patients are not in room.
Ensure vital signs are taken 2 times a day
Supervise support workers to see to the personal hygiene of patients in the morning.
Monitor and Ensure the dining area is kept clean when not in use, ensure support worker/cook take the dishes to the kitchen immediately after every meal
Ensure that psychotropic medications is administer to patients, monitors use, and documents reactions; educate patients on the purpose, dosage, and side effects of medication, and explain the implications of patient's refusal to take prescribed medication.
Provide crisis intervention to those individuals experiencing acute episodes.
Obtain medical, psychiatric, social, and family histories of new admissions; take and record vital signs; obtain lab specimens and assist physicians with physical exams
Oversee schedules and arranges for special tests; supervise discharge plans; monitor charts and logs; performs catheterizations and enemas; and draws blood.
Aid patients in obtaining proper medical care, after release or during hospitalization, by identifying community agencies and resources to assist patients with stabilization while living in the community.
Interact with private medical facilities, courts, and Federal and State agencies to express concerns of the patient and to discuss treatment also when required, testify in court as to the patient's mental and physical condition.
Acts as a team leader, on a rotational basis, for an assigned shift; plan, assign, and review the work of other regular nursing staff, student nurses, mental health technicians and support staff.
Oversee the delivering of services and treatment in patient’s own environment whenever the need arises.
Ensure protected meal time is properly implemented.
Monitor inspection of patient food before taking it to patients for consumption.
Make Clinical presentations during clinical meetings and during business meetings.
Ensure take home medications are well dispensed for patient going on weekend leave

Requirements and Experience

Must be a Registered Psychiatric Nurse
Minimum of Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Must be medically and physically fit.
Must have a minimum of 5 years’ work experience as a psychiatric nurse

Required Skills/Competencies:

Explain mental health laws and regulations;
Observe emotional and physical behavior;
Evaluate and assess the need for mental health services;
Analyze a situation and adopt a course of action;
Prepare and maintain medical records and reports;
Recognize and respect limits of confidential information;
Direct and advise other nursing staff;
Communicate with people of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic origins;
Speak before groups;
Exercise independent judgment in medical emergencies;
Demonstrate tact, diplomacy, patience, and compassion;
Establish and maintain working relationships with co-workers, other agencies, and organizations;
Comply with nursing policies, protocols, and program regulations.