Job Description
Duties/Responsibilities:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Provides a safe, therapeutic environment that protects patients’ rights.
- Uses the nursing process in planning, providing, and evaluating each patient’s care and produces a written nursing assessment and up-to-date nursing care plan. Assessments are ongoing with changes implemented as needed.
- Documents patient’s status and response to care.
- Applies restraints and/or imposes seclusion in emergency situations, notifying the Clinical Director, designee or on-call psychiatrist for orders as soon as possible.
- Develops a therapeutic relationship with patients.
- Conducts nursing support groups and individual 1:1 supportive counseling with appropriate approval and supervision.
- Sets limits on patients’ behaviors and intervenes to decrease panic in disturbed patients.
- Admits and discharges patients based on physician orders.
- Assesses appropriateness of admission, obtains admission orders and ensures that all admission documents and consents for treatment are correct and present.
- Prepares detailed discharge plans for each patient and coordinates follow-up treatment with the patient’s county of residence.
- Administers medications.
- Assists with procedures and physical exams and provides general nursing care as required.
- Reviews medical records, checks physician orders and records these orders.
- Conducts crisis assessments in person and via phone to determine safety.
Fond du Lac County Position Description:
- Observes patient’s behavior for changes in order to intervene appropriately, guide nonprofessional nursing staff, communicate changes to appropriate staff and record changes.
- Supervises nonprofessional nursing staff in providing quality nursing care.
- Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and dictates treatment planning and discharge planning notes from these meetings.
- Teaches patients and their families concerning, among other things, medications, therapies and mental illness.
- Communicates with patients, their families, physicians, other community agencies, legal authorities, etc, as needed.
- Participates in staff development and performance appraisals.
- Participates in committee activities.
- Attends unit meetings and in-services.
- Provides crisis intervention services.
- Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of the unit’s and facility’s philosophy, objectives, standards policies and procedures.
- Acts as charge nurse in absence of the unit supervisor.
Work Direction Received:
Daily duties are performed independently. Patient orders are provided by the physician.
Supervision Exercised:
Supervision is given to LPN’s and Nurses Aides. The incumbent makes decisions regarding evaluation and assignment of employees. The incumbent makes preliminary recommendations regarding such actions as hiring, firing, and discipline.
Decision Making:
Independently determines PRN medications, actions to ensure patient safety such as seclusion, and the assessment of the patient’s condition. Determines assignments of nursing personnel.
Interaction:
There is significant interaction with counties, police departments, social services, group homes, other care facilities, patient families, pharmacies, dietary staff, and the general public.
Desirable Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge of psychiatric disorders and medications, Wisconsin laws relating to mental health, patients’ rights, and current practices. Ability to make accurate assessments, intervene in a crisis, and interact effectively with patients, their families and the general public. Good physical and mental health with sufficient strength to handle physically aggressive patients and normal day-to-day duties to include lifting
Fond du Lac County Position Description:
Up to 50 pounds to restrain or re-locate patients and perform laundry and related duties as needed; frequent lifting or carrying of objects; intermittent standing and walking; occasional driving; bending, twisting, squatting, pushing, pulling and reaching; distinguish sounds at various frequencies and volumes; distinguish people or objects at varied distance under a variety of light conditions; using hands for grasping, fine manipulation and operating/controlling equipment. Ability to maintain emotional stability in stressful working situations. Ability to follow oral and written instructions and communicate clearly orally and in writing. Willingness to be part of the treatment team and work hours as needed.
Training and Experience:
Registration as a professional nurse in the State of Wisconsin and one year of experience in medical/surgical and/or psychiatric nursing.
A combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position are considered.
Job Info
- Job Identification 38
- Posting Date 02/19/2025, 09:54 AM
- Degree Level Associate Degree
- Job Schedule Full time
- Locations 459 E 1st St, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935, US
- Minimum Salary 38.85
- Maximum Salary 49.43
- Approx hours per week 30
- Assignment Category Full-time regular
