Psychiatric Resource Nurse - Mercy San Diego

Join a highly collaborative team dedicated to supporting patients with acute mental health needs across the hospital as a Psychiatric Resource Nurse (PRN). The Psychiatric Resource Nurse (PRN) supports the nursing staff through regular rounding on patients with behavioral health issues in the in-patient care units outside the Behavioral Health Unit.

Responsibilities

• Guides and assists the nursing staff in the application of the Standard of Practice in the care of patients with mental health issues and behavioral problems.
• Is competent in therapeutic communication.
• Understands and educates on the LPS (Lanterman, Petris, Short) Act involuntary legal hold process including involuntary psychotropic medication administration.
• Conduct routine rounds on patients with psychiatric diagnoses or legal holds, ensure safety precautions and documentation are maintained, and monitor compliance with behavioral care plans.
• Respond to behavioral emergencies, lead Code BURT responses, support nursing staff with therapeutic communication, and develop interventions to reduce agitation and behavioral disturbances.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, behavioral health providers, psychiatric liaison teams, and case management/social work to coordinate individualized care plans, medication management, legal hearings, and substance use treatment.
• Coordinate care conferences, review documentation and psychotropic medications, monitor treatment plan effectiveness, and address barriers to discharge or transfer to an appropriate level of care.

Required Experience/Specialized Skills

• 1 year experience as a registered nurse.
• Must be able to speak, read and follow instructions in English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate positive behaviors.

Required Certification/Registration

• Current CA RN License.
• Current BLS-C provider from American Heart Association.

Required Education/Course(s)/Training

• Registered nursing degree from an accredited school of nursing.

Preferred Experience/Education/Specialized skills

• Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred.
• Previous experience providing peer education on psychiatric laws, regulations, and clinical interventions.
• Experience with EPIC system preferred.
• At least 2 years' experience working bedside in a Med/Surg level of care hospital.
• Prior experience working in an acute psychiatric hospital or psych facility preferred.