Behavioral Health Specialist Jobs in Iowa

External Applicants Earn up to $9,000 Sign on Bonus!

This position is flexible with hours being 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am

Work Shift

Night Shift

Scheduled Weekly Hours

24

Summary

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by being a competent, respectful, and compassionate professional who is able to safely, appropriately, accurately, efficiently and independently follow Mercy's standards along with policies and procedures while caring for patients. The Registered Staff Nurse works with the unit specific team members to identify clinical problems, develop a plan, and educate patients and families.

Job Description

Job Duties

• Ensures that accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families, and co-workers at hand offs and other times as needed. Take all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information in order to allow for the best possible patient outcome.

• Demonstrates competent assessment, planning, intervention, coordination and evaluation skills based on the individual patient plan of care.

• Continually assesses patient and family needs in order to provide quality care based on a patient centered care model.

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and judgment necessary to implement a patient plan of care, nursing interventions and procedures.

• Maintains accurate and real time documentation of nursing care provided to ensure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team, according to hospital policy and procedure related to documentation parameters.

• Functions as a role model for current and new staff by creating a healthy work environment to facilitate the department's or unit's ability to meet identified goals and objectives.

• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitor and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.

• Directs other licensed and non-licensed personnel in the provision of care to patients as assigned.

• Demonstrate effective and age-appropriate communication as well as the ability to understand the needs of the patient including non-verbal communication, fears, anxieties and language/cultural barriers.

• Responds within scope of practice to emergencies and life-threatening conditions.

• Adheres to and promotes patient safety practices throughout the patient experience.

• Communicates and collaborates effectively with all members of the healthcare team.

• Provides ongoing education to patients and families.

• Delegates to other staff registered nurse, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians, unit secretaries, and other staff positions specific to the department.

• Remains current on Evidence-based practice as well as appropriate Protocols and Procedures.

• Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.

Department Specific Duties

Behavioral Health (for assigned position within the Healing Center)

• Assesses and reassesses Suicide Risk, per policy, utilizing the tools provided and adapts the plan of care with appropriate interventions based upon assessment.

• De-escalates patients in crisis to prevent acts of aggression towards self and others.

• Conducts psycho educational groups as needed and/or educates one to one on diagnosis, symptom management, medication, wellness, and positive coping skills.

• Monitors for withdrawal from alcohol and other substances and follows protocols and utilizes appropriate interventions based upon assessment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Sound background in basic nursing principles and procedures.

• Demonstrates competency in unit specific skills.

• Demonstrates ability to provide safe and effective basic nursing care.

• Role Models exemplary customer service skills including verbal and non-verbal skills and proper phone etiquette.

• Creates a welcoming environment for all healthcare team members.

• Committed to ongoing self-development and learning.

Professional Experience

• Previous RN experience in an acute care setting preferred.

Department specific experience requirements are noted below:

Behavioral Health

• Experience in mental health and/or chemical dependency is preferred.

Physical Requirements

Requirements listed below are applicable to all departments unless otherwise noted.
Heavy: Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs. to waist and shoulder height on frequent basis

Able to lift up to 50 lbs. on occasional basis for assist with patient transfers

Rare lifting of up to 100 lbs. for controlled falls

Able to lift 15 lbs. overhead on occasional basis.

Able to push and pull of up to 20 lbs. of horizontal force on frequent basis, up to 35 lbs. of horizontal force on occasional basis and up to 50 lbs. of horizontal force on rare basis.

Ability to administer CPR

Women & Children's Float Pool
Medium: Exert 20-50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or 10-15 lbs. of force frequently.

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.