Job Overview: Montana State Hospital provides acute care psychiatric inpatient treatment for adults with serious mental illness.  This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating nursing care at Montana State Hospital in accordance with standards and regulations for providing inpatient psychiatric care.  Responsibilities of this position include monitoring and evaluating nursing services including providing immediate assistance and consultation in problem solving and decision-making during crisis and high-risk situations; coordinating and reviewing the investigation of unusual incidents, patient grievances, complaints and allegations of abuse; and supervising assigned staff and patient services.  This position provides direct supervision for professional registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, psychiatric technicians, and unit secretaries. 

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.

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 contribution
• 15 Vacation days each year
• 12 Sick days each year
• 10 Paid Holidays each year
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs

Essential Duties or Responsibilities:       

1. Nursing Care Management                                                                                                                               55%

• Establishes, monitors, and evaluates nursing services for
• patient treatment.  Provides immediate assistance and decision making during crisis and high risk situations.
• Ensures the provision and documentation, within statutory or hospital defined time limits, of individualized nursing assessments, care planning, implementation of patient care and treatment, evaluation of treatment, and revision of care plans to ensure quality services are provided.
• Monitors the admission, assessment, and treatment planning process to ensure Nursing Services maintain compliance with Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS) regulations and Montana state Hospital policies and procedures.
• Coordinates and reviews the authorization, monitoring, and documentation of the restriction of patient rights and the use of seclusion/restraint in the least restrictive environment.
• Provides information and assistance to patient families and visitors and hospital visitors as needed.
• Responds and follows up on significant events, patient grievances, complaints and allegations of abuse as appropriate by reviewing records and conducting investigative interviews to ensure the provision of patient rights in collaboration with facility management.
• Collaborates with hospital providers and managers to review, discuss and coordinate patient care to ensure attainment of desired treatment outcomes.  
• Collaborates with other managers concerning continuance of patient care and supervisory issues during outside hours.
• Ensures all medications and pharmaceuticals are maintained, administered, and documented in accordance with state and federal regulations, and is responsible for follow up of medication errors.
• Supports MSH performance and outcome efforts on the treatment program by completing tasks, including, but not limited to, collecting, reporting, analyzing data, and participating as appropriate in any research studies or inquiries underway at the hospital.
• Provides on-site management of maintenance issues in their area of responsibility and coordinates resolution of emergency issues.

2. Direct Supervision of Nursing Staff                                                                                                                 35%

• Provides direct supervision to nursing staff assigned to areas of responsibility including, but not limited to, directly monitor, evaluate, and assign tasks to staff.   Provides guidance and support to staff and assigns nursing care and treatment to appropriate staff members ensuring appropriate staffing levels are maintained.
• Regularly meets with staff to discuss items such as policies and procedures, goals and objectives, best practices, and changes being implemented.
• Guides employees and performs employee performance evaluations.   Initiates appropriate disciplinary actions in consultation with nursing administration.
• Responds to staff complaints and grievances at a supervisory level.
• Ensures staff compliance with MSH and DPHHS policies and procedures, standards of nursing practice, and applicable hospital licensure and accreditation standards.
• Ensures new employees are provided with an appropriate orientation and other employees participate in training and staff development programs as required.

3. Treatment Unit and Peer Administrative Duties                                                                                        10%

• Participates in the development of nursing policies and procedures for the facility. 
• Participates in activities which promote professional development and meets standards of licensure and accreditation.
• Assesses all employee incidents and medical emergencies and coordinates appropriate care, transportation, and documentation. 
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Physical and Environmental Demands: Physical, mental, and emotional stamina is essential.  This position is involved in the treatment of persons who are unpredictable and often display aggressive, acting out behavior, which requires crisis intervention.  This position assists with crisis intervention.  This position is also involved in the evaluation and treatment of person with histories of serious criminal acts.  Training in hospital approved intervention techniques and Mental Health Professional Person Facility Certification are required.  Risk of injury in this hospital setting is considerable due to the seriousness of mental disorders and unpredictable behavior of patients. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Required for the first day of work

• Knowledge of nursing, medication management, and treatment planning.
• Knowledge of rehabilitation and treatment techniques used for psychiatric illnesses.
• Knowledge of professional standards of practice for healthcare professionals in different disciplines and for operation of a healthcare facility. 
• Knowledge of personnel management and supervision.
• Accurate and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Skill in the use of instruments and equipment necessary to provide nursing assessment and care.
• Basic computer skills including the ability to utilize current word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Ability to use critical thinking and sound judgment in emergent hospital setting situations.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and comply with protected health information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solutions to solve problems.

Supervision: The number of employees supervised is variable.

• Associate Degree in Nursing.
• Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Montana.
• Two years of experience providing supervision in a health care setting preferred.
• Other related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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.
To be considered for any DPHHS Agency position, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials. Successful applicant(s) are required to successfully pass all DPHHS specific background check(s) relevant to each position.
 
Please apply at:  Montana State Hospital Nurse Manager Application
 


 

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.

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:

• Shift Differential
• Access to No Cost health centers
• Low-cost Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• 15 Vacation days each year
• 12 Sick days each year
• 10 Paid Holidays each year
• Student Loan Repayment
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs
• Longevity Pay Increases

Essential 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.

2. 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.

3. 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:

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

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

To be considered for any DPHHS Agency position, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials. Successful applicant(s) are required to successfully pass all DPHHS specific background check(s) relevant to each position.
 
Please apply at:  Montana State Hospital Registered Nurse Application