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Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

Unit 1 staff will be caring for adult patients with an Intellectual Developmental disability (IDD) diagnosis.

IDD nursing is a specialized area of nursing practice directed toward supporting persons with a developmental disability to achieve the highest possible level of positive control of their lives.

IDD staff practices in cooperation and collaboration with other members of the interprofessional team to facilitate person-centered supports and services.

Job Summary

Carries out a variety of patient care activities and clerical tasks which support the maintenance of the therapeutic milieu and which meet the patient's needs for comfort and safety. Facilitates the communication process among appropriate personnel. Must be able to maintain personal composure when unit priorities quickly change. This position will care for patients in the child and adolescent age groups (if assigned to the PRN Pool this position will also care for patients in the adult and geriatric age groups). Employee performs clinical duties in accordance with population specific guidelines and adheres to National Patient Safety Goals as outlined in policy and procedures.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications:

• Educational Requirements: High School Diploma or GED

• Minimum Experience:

• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

• Preferred Educational Requirements: Associates Degree or two (2) years of college equivalent

• Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of hospital experience

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic Clinical Support skills

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality necessary in behavioral health setting

• Effective team building skills

• Effective communication skills

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Obtains certain initial information from the patient and/or guardian and documents appropriately on an assessment form. Information includes: initial vital signs, height and weight.

• Assists patient with unit tour and orientation to the unit, including patient rights.

• Performs search of patient and all patient's belongings within established Laurelwood policy.

• Assists with collection of lab specimens and prepares for transport to lab.

• Actively participates in structuring the milieu by interacting with the patients and by encouraging their participation in groups.

• Observes and documents patient's physical and mental status. Responds appropriately to any changes in the patient's condition and reports such to the Charge Nurse as appropriate. Documents observations and interventions on flow sheet and progress notes in the patient's chart as assigned.

• Uses therapeutic communication appropriately with patients in groups and in one-to-one situations.

• Follows designated level of observation on each patient and records required patient checks on appropriate forms.

• Provides for patient's hygiene needs by assisting with activities of daily living as needed.

• Provides for patient's nutritional needs by accompanying patients to meals, observing intake, and recording significant data on the nursing flow sheet.

• Performs other nursing activities as directed, such as: collecting specimens following Universal Precautions, taking and recording vital signs as ordered and reporting any significant changes to the Charge Nurse and weighing patients and documenting on graphics sheets.

• Assists with facilitation of nursing, lead patient groups and patient activities.

• Follows throughout with the treatment team decisions in structuring the milieu.

• Appropriately monitors use of sharps.

• Demonstrates appropriate use of seclusion and restraints.

• Demonstrates appropriate response and follow through in medical emergencies.

• Handles inquiry and crisis calls, and assists with initial assessment as Intake backup when an Intake Specialist is unavailable.

• Assists with coverage of the nursing station including answering the telephones and assisting visitors and others accessing the facility.

• Participates in annual training for Crisis Intervention and demonstrates competency in performing verbal and physical interventions for out-of-control patients (Code Green).

• Transports patients to and from the Main Building, Medical Office Building, Imaging Center, etc. for scheduled procedures, remaining with the patient, as assigned.

• Transports lab specimens to the Main Building as assigned.

• Assists with the inventory of unit supplies, including nourishments, and communicates any needs to the Charge Nurse.

• Assists in the discharge of all patients by entering a note and filing historical information in unit log books.

• Acts as a facilitator in 12 step centered theme groups with chemically dependent patients.

• Demonstrates knowledge of disease concept of addiction as evidenced by supporting patients in their level of recovery while strongly confronting denial.

• Demonstrates appropriate use of therapeutic communication with chemically dependent and dual diagnosed patient's in groups and one-to-one situations.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Vision: Moderate, Constantly 66-100% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%

• Standing/Walking: Frequently 31-65%

• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally 0-30%

• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.