Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Nurse

This new Nursing position will require direct nursing care of our Emergency Department (ED) patients presenting with a full spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses, substance abuse issues, and/or both chronic and acute medical issues. Currently, psychiatric patients in the ED experience long lengths of stay creating more patient anxiety, increased WPV incidents, strain on resources while severely impacting capacity management. Opportunities for stabilization, discharge and hospitalization are routinely missed due to lack of specially trained Psychiatric Staff to meet the needs of these complex patients.

The Behavioral Health Nurse will be working with a team that consists of an Psych Hospital Assistants, Psych NP, and ED staff in an assigned 12-hour shift that will be practicing within a set of nursing assessments, interventions, scope of practice, utilizing current clinical knowledge of psychiatric and medical illnesses. This Nurse will be responsible for Code 100s, Code 99 in addition to evaluating and documenting results of interventions for a given patient population. This may include taking nursing histories from patients and/or others that identify common variables affecting care by writing and evaluating nursing care plans, teaching patients and families about illness/symptom management.

The Behavioral Health Nurse will be working closely with the ED Nurse who is also responsible for the Psychiatric Patient until medical clearance and or transfer has been achieved. All Nursing care is provided in the Emergency Department, with interactions occurring with Emergency Department staff, SAWs, Providers, APPs, ED Pharmacists, Social Services, Case Management, Substance Abuse Counselor, ED PCTs, ED Discharge Coordinator, Security, UCPD, SFPD and EMS Agencies. Responsible for maintaining the knowledge and abilities essential to the performance of stated behaviors.

Carries out legal responsibilities within the scope of the Nurse Practice Act. Accountable to the NURSE SVC SUPV 2 for overall work performance.

Required Qualifications

Minimum one (1) year of recent acute care/inpatient hospital experience. Recent 6 months psychiatric experience required in an inpatient psychiatric setting. Lifting more than 50lbs, bending, twisting. (Not a sedentary position). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated excellent attendance and reliability. A preliminary job offer, and assignment may be extended pending successful background clearance. Knowledge and abilities essential to successful performance in the duties assigned to the position. This position requires the flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations

Preferred Qualifications

Active Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training Experience with electronic health record in healthcare setting. Knowledge of California Mental Health Holds (LPS). BSN Licensure/

Certifications

Possession of the legal requirements to practice as a Registered Nurse as determined by the California Board of Registered Nurses. (CA RN License) Current BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification. Active American Heart Association CPR certification Active Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training within 6 months of hire