Psychiatric Staff Nurse

Key Responsibilities

• ➔ Assessing and Planning Care
• ◆ Conduct thorough assessments of patients mental health needs and develop personalized care plans.
• ◆ Regularly review and adjust care plans based on patient progress and changing needs.
• ➔ Organising Workloads
• ◆ Efficiently manage and prioritize your workload to ensure all patients receive timely and effective care.
• ➔ Building Relationships
• ◆ Establish and maintain supportive relationships with patients, offering reassurance, empathy, and active listening to understand their concerns and needs.
• ➔ Combating Stigma
• ◆ Work to combat mental health stigma by educating patients, families, and the community.
• ◆ Support patients and their families in managing and overcoming stigma associated with mental health issues.
• ➔ Administering Medication
• ◆ Safely administer prescribed medications and monitor patients for any adverse effects or changes in their condition.
• ➔ Home Visits
• ◆ Conduct home visits to assess and support patients who may require care outside of the clinical setting, ensuring they receive appropriate treatment and support.
• ➔ Care Plans and Monitoring
• ◆ Agree on and review care plans with patients and their families.
• ◆ Monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to care strategies to achieve the best outcomes.
• ➔ Providing Advice and Support
• ◆ Offer guidance and support to patients, relatives, and carers.
• ◆ Help them access additional resources and support services as needed.
• ➔ Liaising with Professionals
• ◆ Collaborate with doctors, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a coordinated approach to patient care.
• ➔ Assessing Treatment Success
• ◆ Participate in case conferences and MDT meetings to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments and care plans.
• ◆ Make recommendations for improvements where necessary.
• ➔ Record Keeping
• ◆ Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, documenting assessments, care plans, and progress notes in compliance with legal and professional standards.
• ➔ Encouraging Therapeutic Activities
• ◆ Promote and encourage participation in therapeutic activities such as art therapy and role play to support patients mental and emotional well-being.
• ➔ Shift Work and On-Call
• ◆ Be prepared to work shifts or be on-call as required to provide continuous care and support to patients.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Skills

• Nursing Degree: Bachelors or Masters degree in Nursing with a specialization in mental health or psychiatric nursing.
• Registered Nurse: Valid nursing registration with the Indian Nursing Council or relevant state nursing council.
• Experience: 2-5 years of experience, with extensive experience in mental health nursing and a proven track record.
• Skills: Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Proven ability to manage and motivate a team, handle complex situations, and make informed decisions.
• Professionalism and Resilience: Strong commitment to maintaining high standards of care and professionalism. Demonstrated resilience and the ability to manage stress effectively.
• Multi-tasking: Ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and prioritize duties.
• Bedside Manner: Demonstrated ability to provide compassionate and respectful care.
• Infection Control: Knowledge of infection control practices to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff.
• Health Promotion and Maintenance: Understanding of basic health promotion principles and practices.
• Safety: Ability to create a safe and effective environment for patients.
• Communication: Effective communication skills for informing others and working within a team.
• Judgement: Good judgement in handling patient care and emergencies.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with medical and nursing staff.
• Physical Endurance: Capable of performing physical tasks required in patient care and movement.

This role is ever-evolving and will include duties as informed by the reporting head from time to time.