Job Description

Full-time (72 hours biweekly)

Day shift; 7 am to 7 pm or 3 am to 3 pm

Weekend requirement; 2 out of 6 weekends per scheduling block

Program Description

The Child & Adolescent Unit accommodates clients ages 4-17, with a typical length of stay of 7-10 days. The goal of the Child & Adolescent Unit is immediate stabilization of emergent mental health symptoms through medication, milieu participation, and individual & family therapy sessions. Inpatient psychiatric services are provided to clients approximately 4-18 years of age on the Child/Adolescent Unit.

The Children's program provides acute care to clients aged 4-12. Most clients present with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, oppositional defiant disorders, and affective disorders. The Children’s program accommodates up to 12 male and/or female clients. Inpatient treatment recognizes the child's developmental stage and may include any of the following modalities depending on the assessed needs of the client: individual/group/family therapy, therapeutic groups, activities therapy, and participation in treatment. The goal is to assist each child to stabilize their behavior and be ready to move to the next level of care within 7-10 days after admission.

The Adolescent inpatient program provides acute care to clients aged 13-18. The majority of clients have diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactive disorder, conduct disorder, affective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, early bipolar disorder, and Prodromal personality disorders. The average length of stay is 7-10 days. Inpatient treatment recognizes the adolescent’s developmental stages and may include any of the following modalities depending on the assessed needs of the client: individual/group/family therapy psycho-educational groups, activities therapy and education.

General Summary

Provides additional supervision of daily operations on assigned unit. Oversees the successful delivery of quality patient care to a group of patients. Coordinates with the Administrative Coordinator on patient placement. Provides direct patient care at an experienced practitioner level as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Works with the Assistant Nurse Manager to ensure adequate staffing levels and skill mix are maintained for all shifts through the development, preparation and maintenance of staffing schedules that meet department/unit needs and apply to variable census conditions. Makes appropriate adjustments/assignments to maximize timely patient care. Looks to staffing needs into the next matrix.
• Oversees the delivery of patient care. Directs and delegates patient care assignments to staff based on acuteness of patient care needs, staff availability and patient safety.
• Prioritizes and organizes work. Actively takes part in the performance appraisal process by providing input for staff evaluations. Holds staff accountable for performance standards. Assists with interviewing. Mediates staff conflicts and provides feedback concerning performance, behavior, etc..
• Collaborates with the Nurse Manager and the Assistant Nurse Manager on areas of need on the unit (e.g., problematic flow issues, equipment and supplies issues, documentation issues, patient satisfaction issues and performance issues).
• Anticipates and resolves patient/family concerns in a timely manner. Keeps patients and families informed.
• Protects patient confidentiality by promoting professional staff communications.
• Serves as a resource and role model/mentor to charge nurses and staff.
• Provides direct patient care, evaluates outcomes, consults with other specialists as required and adjusts nursing care processes as indicated to ensure optimal patient care.
• Requisitions supplies and equipment, maintenance and repair services and prepares related forms. Keeps stock and equipment inventories.

• Variation of duties may result based on the assigned customer care unit(s). This may include differences in the specific clinical skills required of the RN. Unit based skill lists outline expectations beyond the house wide RN requirements. SYS-NURS-L Nursing Education Requirements Policy outlines current certification(s) required for specific areas of nursing practice and is considered to be part of the job description.

Common Expectations:

• Prepares and maintains written documentation as required by the profession and the department.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• Associate's Degree Required

Work Experience:

• 2 years Relevant experience required and
• Supervisory experience required

Licenses:

• Licensed Registered Nurse Upon Hire Required or
• Registered Nurse Multi State License Upon Hire Required and
• Basic Life Support Upon Hire Required and

Courses and Training:

• Psychiatric nursing specialty certification required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication/interpersonal, conflict resolution, problem-solving, confrontational and other leadership skills.

Benefits Offered:

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)

WellSpan Health’s vision is to reimagine healthcare through the delivery of comprehensive, equitable health and wellness solutions throughout our continuum of care. As an integrated delivery system focused on leading in value-based care, we encompass more than 2,300 employed providers, 250 locations, nine award-winning hospitals, home care and a behavioral health organization serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Our high-performing Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is the region’s largest and one of the best in the nation. With a team 23,000 strong, WellSpan experts provide a range of services, from wellness and employer services solutions to advanced care for complex medical and behavioral conditions. Our clinically integrated network of 3,000 aligned physicians and advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing the highest quality and safety, inspiring our patients and communities to be their healthiest.