Registered Nurse (Part-Time)

Job Overview: Montana State Hospital provides acute care psychiatric inpatient treatment for adults with serious mental illness.  This position performs nursing assessment, planning, interventions, and evaluation for adult clients inthe facility.  Responsibilities include assigning work and providing direction and training to subordinate nursing personnel.

Experience, training, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications must be entered into the online application.  Additional materials submitted, but not requested, will not be considered.  Applications missing required items will not be considered.

Montana State Hospital LinkedIn

Montana State Hospital Website

Work for the state you Love to Live in.  Your paycheck is just part of a total compensation package.  Eligible employees have access to competitive, innovative benefits packages at an affordable cost.  All beginning on your first day of employment.  Highlights of our innovative benefit package include:

• Access to No Cost health centers
• Low-cost Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer
• 15 Vacation days each year
• 12 Sick days each year
• 10 Paid Holidays each year
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness program*
• Student Loan Repayment program*
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs
• One free meal per shift
• Shift differential*

*Subject to eligibility rules

Major Duties or Responsibilities:

1. Patient Care                                                                                                                                                               55%

• Admits patients to the hospital in accordance with state statutes and hospital policies.
• Completes and records initial and subsequent nursing assessment of each patient's physical and mental status according to hospital format and policy using interview, observation skills, and physical assessment techniques and communicates findings verbally and/or via written documentation.
• Provides, structures, and maintains a therapeutic environment in collaboration with the patient and other members of the healthcare team.
• Intervenes during psychiatric emergencies/patient crisis using nonverbal, verbal, physical, and mechanical techniques in accordance with hospital policy.
• Authorizes restriction of patient rights in accordance with hospital policy when such restrictions are necessary to achieve treatment goals.
• Assists physician with diagnostic procedures, treatment regimes, and patient examinations according to standards of practice.
• Responds to medical emergencies using skills of rapid assessment; directs and provides emergency interventions in order to stabilize patient's condition.
• Participates with providers in developing a patient plan of care and acts to implement as directed.
• Receives and transcribes verbal and written provider's orders according to established policy standards to ensure accurate treatment of patients.
• Administers medications and medical treatments as prescribed.
• Evaluates and communicates verbally and via written documentation patient's response to interventions in relation to established measurable goals and objectives in order to revise baseline data, nursing diagnosis, and treatment interventions.
• Updates plan of care based on nursing assessment which identifies specific measurable goals, objectives and interventions in accordance with hospital policies and state law to ensure individualized treatment.
• Collaborates with the multi-disciplinary hospital treatment team and community mental health team in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating programs/activities to ensure appropriate individualized treatment services. 
• Coordinates and provides individual and group counseling based on standards of nursing practice.

1. Charge Nurse Duties                                                                                                                                               35%

• Assigns and directs the nursing care provided for each patient on a daily basis through the use of written schedules, work assignments, and oral communication to ensure compliance with individual treatment plans.
• Authorizes, monitors, and accurately documents the use of restraints and seclusion based on sound clinical judgment in accordance with hospital policy to ensure the provision of patient safety, dignity, and least restrictive environment.
• Provides direction to staff related to performance, guidance, and implementation of hospital policy.
• Provides direction to nursing care nursing staff to include Licensed Practical Nurses, Resident Care Aides, and Special Duty Aides.
• Teaches basic medical and psychiatric nursing skills and interventions, as well as hospital policies and procedures to treatment program personnel utilizing formal and informal teaching techniques to promote knowledge and skill development.

1. Professional Development                                                                                                                                   10%

• Contributes to the development standards related to patient care and nursing procedure through participation on hospital committees and assigned task groups.
• Participates in professional development activities and continuing educational programs to ensure currency in nursing practices and trends.
• Adheres to the nurse practice act of Montana and all laws and rules governing the practice of registered nurses in order to maintain high standards of care and current licensure.

Physical and Environmental Demands: Professional Clinical, Medical, and Nursing Services positions primarily work on treatment units and in a clinic setting.   These positions are involved in the treatment of persons who pose unpredictable and physically aggressive behavior requiring staff intervention and possible risk of injury to staff.  Employees in these positions may be expected to assist with patient crisis interventions.  These positions are also involved in the evaluation and treatment of persons with histories of serious criminal acts.  Training in hospital approved intervention techniques and Mental Health Professional Person Certification are required. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

Required for the first day of work:

• Knowledge of nursing, medications, and treatment planning.
• Knowledge of patient's rights regarding medical treatment.
• Knowledge of current psychopharmacology.

• Skill in the use of the basic instruments and equipment of the nursing profession.

• Ability to plan and implement appropriate nursing care interventions.
• Ability to perform accurate and thorough work.
• Ability to provide patient assessment and appropriate documentation.

• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze, assemble, and organize information.
• Ability to proficiently utilize technology related to patient care information systems

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• Must be a graduate of an accredited college or university degree in nursing.
• Must be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse inthe State of Montana.

Candidates will be evaluated to determine if they meet the minimum qualifications listed above and on the extent to which the application materials show the candidate possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with this position.  The selection process may consist of review of application materials (application, resume, cover letter...), physical assessment, job skill test, interview(s), background check and reference checks.  Candidates whose application and supporting documentation (cover letter, resume) do not clearly indicate all minimum qualifications are met will not be considered.