The Behavioral Health Charge Nurse oversees clinical functions related to the delivery of patient care, the quality of nursing practice and the standards of care for the assigned shift. Directs patient care activities by assigning staff and functions on the unit based on the Charge RN’s assessment of patient needs and the relative skills and abilities of staff, while maintaining clinical nursing practice skills and unit specific expertise. Performs professional nursing duties that incorporate the psychomotor and age appropriate cognitive skills of the patient/family/significant other to assess, plan, intervene and advocate for the patient on an ongoing basis throughout the continuum of care. Ensures break relief and provides break relief coverage for the shift. Troubleshoots and resolves issues as they arise. Functions as a role model and clinical resource to staff and patients. Supervises and directs staff RNs, LVNs, and Mental Health Workers in their daily job functions and provides meaningful input to Administrative House Supervisor regarding employee counseling, evaluation, scheduling and discipline. Reports directly to Administrative House Supervisor.
Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Van Nuys Behavioral Health (also known as Southern California Hospital at Van Nuys) is a 57-bed psychiatric hospital that provides acute inpatient and outpatient mental health services on a voluntary basis to adults. As an acute inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facility, Southern California Hospital at Van Nuys provides services designed to help a patient’s psychological well-being. These services include round-the-clock nursing care, daily medical management by internists and psychiatrists, as well as daily group therapy led by social service staff and recreation therapy staff.
- Provides continuous supervision of staff RNs, LVNs, and Mental Health Workers on the unit in provision of patient care. Provides direct patient care as needed. Responsible for providing competent input to House Supervisor regarding administration of patient medications, treatments and procedures in a safe, effective and age appropriate manner that meets scope of practice and standards of nursing practice. Recognizes change in patient’s clinical conditions, and responds or directs staff to respond by taking appropriate action and documenting intervention. Responsible for ensuring that Hospital patient care standards are met, including effective collaboration with the health care team to intervene and advocate as necessary. Intervenes appropriately in instances of abuse, assault or neglect, or when adequate financial or social resources are not available. Makes appropriate referrals to resolve patient issues effectively.
- Oversees and coordinates the daily operations of the unit, resolving issues as they occur based on their experience and judgment. Demonstrates advanced level of clinical expertise, strong leadership and collaborative skills in dealing with staff and members of the healthcare team. Completes daily assignments for staff based on their assessment of relative staff competencies, and responsibly ensures acuities are complete for all assigned patients. Provides meaningful input to House Supervisor regarding RN coaching, training, counseling discipline and performance assessments. Assists with employee hiring decisions, including interviewing and recommending candidates, conducting orientation, and training new employees.
- In conjunction with treating physicians, develops long and short-term goals consistent with treatment plans, standards of practice, and the plan of care, incorporating patient preference and discussing plan of care with patient. Appropriately assesses patient condition and directs staff to engage pain management resources and other interventions to provide pain relief. Directs and supports staff RNs in providing ongoing assessments and document the patient’s physical and psychosocial condition, as well as response to care and performs ongoing assessment and documentation as necessary to support or assist staff. Reviews patient test results, identifies critical results, communicates in a timely manner consistent with the condition of the patient, and correlates information into the plan of care. Responsible for ensuring that employees’ nursing practice is evidence-based, within scope of licensure, and compliant with Hospital-wide standards of nursing care, including core measures. Responsible for ensuring that Infection Control procedures and HIPAA compliance procedures are followed by staff.
- Collaborates with staff, physicians and members of the healthcare team to coordinate and manage care among other disciplines and support staff. Supervises, monitors and delegates patient care activities to appropriate members of the health care team, provides effective leadership and responsibly ensures that care is safe and of high quality. Acts as a source of information and articulately responds to questions, providing resources, guidance, and education about treatment plan, plan of care, and medications. Develops and implements accurate teaching and ongoing discharge plans.
- Empathizes with patients and patient support systems, expresses compassion and understanding and demonstrates care which is appropriate for the age, and cultural, religious, gender identity, or ethnic background. Engages in caring behaviors and ensures that staff does as well, taking conscious ownership for work and takes deliberate/thoughtful actions regarding how to best carry out interactions with the patient, families, physicians, and co-workers.
Minimum Education: Graduate of an Accredited School of Nursing required. Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
Minimum Experience: Minimum one (1) year nursing experience required. Ability to maintain flexibility and composure in a constantly changing environment required. Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English. Understanding of patient classification and staffing requirements for the patient population required. Demonstrated experience in a leadership role required. Bilingual skills to communicate effectively with patients and families preferred. Previous experience as a Charge Nurse preferred. Recent behavioral health experience in an Acute Psychiatric setting preferred.
Req. Certification/Licensure: Active, current, and unencumbered Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of California required. De-escalation certification upon hire; Upon recertification, SAMA Certification required. AHA Basic Life Support required. Hospital Fire and Life Safety Card (Los Angeles City Employees only) required. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC) Certification preferred. SAMA Certification upon hire preferred.