Nurse Clinician - Behavioral Health Care

Job Code

30001709

Basic Function

Provides a wide range of quality professional nursing care to Behavioral Health Unit & Clinic patients, Functions using the Nursing Process with emphasis on direct patient care and related activities and referring to the Lippincott Manual and Mosby Competencies.

Scope

Working within Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Nursing & Clinical Services Department in Dhahran, Al Hasa, Udhailiyah Ras Tanura, and Abqaiq.

The Nurse Clinician provides a professional nursing care to the patients, receives supervision and direction from the Charge Nurse and Supervisor. Work is performed on any shift, as required, in the Behavioral Unit &Clinic of the Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) facilities.

Work hours are assigned to meet operational needs. Hours may include on call and scheduled overtime.

Direction is through the unit manager.

Principal Contacts

Daily with patients and their families for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the nursing plan of care; with new hire and newly assigned nursing staff for orientation and integration into the nursing unit; routinely with physicians for carrying out physician orders, assisting with medical procedures, and reporting changes in the patient's condition; ongoing with Charge Nurse for reporting changes in patients condition and progress related to plan of care; with technical and other support services within medical for direct patient care, patient flow, and unit maintenance. 

Occasional public and community contact through communicating policy changes, revisions, and/or introduction of new work rules.

Occasional with other JHAH personnel and outside services.

Principal Duties

1) ASSESSMENT:

• Performs a systematic initial and on-going assessment of the patient's physical and psychosocial status, specific to the age of the patient.
• Assesses patient/family educational needs and readiness to learn utilizing appropriate resources.
• Assesses patient/family discharge planning needs utilizing appropriate resources.

2) PLANNING:

• Collaborates with the patient/family and other members of the health care team to develop and update a plan of care that is consistent with the medical diagnosis and based on the patient's changing physical, psychosocial and age related requirements.
• Establishes realistic and measurable goals that are culturally sensitive, and identifies nursing interventions to achieve the goals.
• Plans and organizes patient care activities on a daily basis.

3) IMPLEMENTATION/INTERVENTIONS:

• Provides total, direct nursing care consistent with the plan of care and needs of the patients with respect for the patient's privacy, dignity, personal preference and culture.
• Completes specific competencies as identified by the supervisor/CCLN for BHU.
• Responds to life-saving situations within the Behavioral Health Unit based upon nursing standards and protocols such as BLS & Mr. Strong.
• Assesses and monitors patient’s vital signs as outlined in MSP-80
• Maintains and enhances the therapeutic milieu through compliance with unit specific guidelines and protocols
• Participates in therapeutic activities such as: individual, group meetings, counselling sessions, aimed at helping patients recover and reach their full potential
• Monitors patients recovering from Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT)
• Encourages family involvement in the treatment plans for patients, helping them be as independent as possible.
• Observes and reports behavioral changes
• Acts as subject matter experts to the ward nurses on the care of the psychiatric patient nursed in the general units.
• Transcribes physician's orders and reviews nursing and medical orders for accuracy and appropriateness.
• Prepares, administers, and documents the administration of oral, parental and topical medications as prescribed by the physician. Is knowledgeable of therapeutic effects, usual dosages, contraindications, Side effects and adverse reactions for all drugs and parental fluids administered. Maintains accountability for narcotics and controlled drugs.
• Intervenes appropriately in clinical emergency situations, initiates emergency resuscitative measures and assists with codes.
• Sets up equipment and assists physicians with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Performs a wide range of nursing procedures with attention to accuracy, patient safety and comfort, including those requiring strict aseptic technique.
• Assists with transfer of patients within the health care facilities.
• Serves as transport nurse for patients during ambulance or aircraft transport.
• Teaches patients and their families with emphasis on compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimen. Supports families in meeting the patient's psychosocial needs.
• Maintains a safe, clean and organized environment for the patient/ family/visitors and staff.
• Demonstrates priority setting skills and timeliness in responding to patient needs.

Principal Duties (cont'd)

4) EVALUATION:

• Evaluates quality of nursing care being delivered and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Evaluates on an ongoing basis the patient’s progress and the appropriateness of the plan of care involving the patient/family and other health team members.
• Updates the plan of care to reflect patient's current health status and needs.
• Evaluates and documents the patient/family's understanding of and response to the plan of care including teaching and discharge plans.
• Participates in presenting patient care conferences.

5) PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Practices within the established standards, policies and procedures.
• Recognizes when patient care needs extend beyond the limits of personal ability and consults appropriate resources.
• Provides input during development and review of patient care standards, policies and procedures and participates in the Interdisciplinary Quality Assessment & Improvement Program.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development and maintains currency in nursing for area of practice.
• Uses computer technology as required.
• Maintains infection control and safety awareness functions accordingly and initiates corrective action when indicated.
• Participates in fire and disaster drills and mock codes.
• Demonstrates acceptance, caring and empathy to patients and families.
• Treats customers (guests, patients, nurses, physicians and other employees) with courtesy, respect and caring behaviors.
• Always answers a patient’s call light/bell even if it is not an assigned patient and always takes the initiative to assist the patient.
• Presents a positive image of JHAH through professional appearance and behavior.
• Maintains confidentiality by choosing the appropriate persons, time and place for patient related discussions.
• Immediately brings abnormal findings to the attention of the Charge Nurse.
• Supports unit culture of quality and safety.
• Assures patient comfort and dignity measures during transport, without exception.
• Frequently checks for and reads all communication/minutes.Acts as a patient advocate and develop supportive relationships with patient/family maintaining a professional role.
• Uses verbal and nonverbal communication that conveys respect for the patient/family/visitor/staff.
• Communicates verbal information in an accurate concise and timely manner.
• Communicates written information in a legible accurate, concise and timely manner.
• Documents in a manner that is consistent with the nursing documentation guidelines.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other members of the health care team.
• Complies with department dress code.
• Maintains an acceptable standard of attendance and reports to work on time.
• Demonstrates support for Nursing Department Philosophy and Objectives.

Education

3 years International Diploma or Bachelor Degree.

Experience

2 years minimum clinical nursing experience following licensure/registration in the country of origin, to include one (1) year experience in Psychiatry unit is preferred.  

Certifications/Other requirements as applicable

• Current licensure as a professional registered nurse.

• Fluent spoken and written English.  Spoken Arabic desirable.