JOB TITLE: FORENSIC REGISTERED NURSE

JOB CODE: 30421

DEFINITION: This is professional nursing work in care, treatment, custody, and control of court committed forensic mental health patients at a forensic unit at a Commonwealth facility. An employee in this class performs as a charge nurse or staff nurse providing specialized nursing care and services in a secure treatment patient care or living area. As charge nurse the employee directs and coordinates the delivery of nursing care and treatment for forensic patients in patient care ward(s) or living area(s) usually on the evening or night shift. Charge nurses make assessments and decisions in regard to staff utilization and supplies and equipment needs. Charge nurse directs the work efforts of paraprofessional nursing staff and clinically directs Forensic Security Employees assigned to their patient care wards or living areas; and ensures that the coordination of services, coverage of services and maintenance of records is accomplished. A staff nurse provides professional nursing services in a secure treatment patient care area. Work assignments are received in the form of oral or written instructions and employees exercise independent judgment in the application of professional nursing practices. Work is clinically reviewed and evaluated by a professional Forensic Registered Nurse Supervisor or physician through observation, review of reports and conferences for quality and adherence to established standards in the application of professional nursing practices. Work may be administratively reviewed by another professional supervisor. EXAMPLES OF WORK:

• Assesses forensic mental health patients' physical, psychosocial and/or mental health status.

• Determines immediate and long-range nursing care and treatment plans, goals, staff utilization, supply and equipment needs, safety, and custody and control precautionary requirements.

• Assigns and clinically directs the work efforts of assigned professional nursing staff.

• Assigns work and directs the performance of clinical duties of Forensic Security Employees'.

• Coordinates services, coverage of services and maintenance of records.

• Administers prescribed medications and treatments and takes physician's orders.

• Monitors nursing care through observation and review of charts, records, and reports.

• Updates nursing care charts, records, and reports.

• Develops, recommends, and directs changes in the administration of nursing care and treatment methods and plans.

• Compiles, reviews, monitors, and interprets nursing database.

• Evaluates nursing care and treatment plans.

• Observes, interprets, records, and reports the effects of pharmacological agents and therapeutic treatments to shift supervisor.

• Provides guidance to paraprofessional nursing and Forensic Security Employee staff in implementing, reviewing, and modifying nursing care plans.

• Coordinates nursing infection control and quality assurance/improvement/risk management procedures and pre-discharge planning efforts.

• Provides nursing expertise to an Interdisciplinary Treatment Team.

• Participates in developing, implementing, evaluating and modifying comprehensive individualized care and treatment plans.

• Plans and coordinates the activities of the assigned nursing and Forensic Security staff with other disciplines as part of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team.

• Organizes and conducts, or co-conducts, with other professional disciplines, various treatment modalities.

• Develops and maintains a therapeutic milieu and a safe, secure, and sanitary environment.

• Develops and provides training, guidance, and counseling to patient's families on health promotion and maintenance.

• Participates in nursing and facility committee activities.

• Participates in nursing service quality assurance/risk management activities.

• Explains policies, rules, regulations, procedures and objectives to patients, family members, and legal guardians.

• Identifies nursing/secure care staffs' learning needs.

• Makes staff development and training recommendations.

• Orients new employees to the policies and procedures, rules and regulations of the nursing department and health care facility.

• Provides on-the-job training for paraprofessional and nonprofessional nursing and Forensic Security Employee staff.

• Participates in staff development programs to further enhance security procedures, safety precautionary requirements and professional nursing skills.

• Prepares probationary, interim, and annual performance evaluations on paraprofessional and nonprofessional nursing and Forensic Security Employee staff.

• Participates in counseling and the disciplinary process for paraprofessional and nonprofessional nursing and Forensic Security Employee staff.

• Prepares and submits records and reports as required in accordance with rules and regulations and operating practices.

• Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the theories and practices of professional and psychiatric nursing.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices involved in organizing and directing the work of others in providing nursing care and treatment.

• Knowledge of therapeutic and adverse effects of pharmacological agents and medical treatments.

• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

• Knowledge of hospital dietetics and personal hygiene.

• Knowledge of current professional nursing practices.

• Knowledge of the principles and methodologies of quality nursing practices.

• Ability to apply professional nursing practices, techniques, methodologies, and standards.

• Ability to direct, instruct, guide and lead paraprofessional and nonprofessional nursing and Forensic Security Employees.

• Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive nursing care and treatment plan in accordance with the prescribed medical and/or psychiatric regimen and security requirements.

• Ability to exercise special precautions in the nursing care, treatment, custody and control of forensic mental health patients.

• Ability to promote and maintain continuity of care within the forensic patient care ward(s), or living area(s).

• Ability to make independent judgments in relation to the nursing care and safety of patients and facility staff.

• Ability to plan and assess immediate and long-term nursing care goals and objectives.

• Ability to ensure that staff levels are proper for the needs and safety of the patients and facility staff.

• Ability to plan and coordinate activities of the nursing and Forensic Security Employee staff with resources of other disciplines.

• Ability to assess training, educational and staff development needs of nursing and Forensic Security employee staff and staff development programs.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective communications with patients, families and other members of the health care system.

• Ability to identify actual or potential health and safety hazards and security requirements.

• Ability to evaluate patterns and trends in the nursing care system.

• Ability to administer prescribed medications and treatment.

• Ability to observe, interpret, document and report symptoms, vital signs and reactions to medications and treatments.

• Ability to apply professional nursing concepts, techniques and procedures to the care and treatment of individuals.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees of the health care facility.

• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.

• Ability to participate in staff development and out-service training courses.

• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require active authorization to practice as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania.

• All employees possessing an active temporary practice permit must obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse within the one (1) year period defined by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.