• Follows VA’s regulations, especially pertaining to diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Follows admission and discharge procedures, orients new patients, and documents the process completely.
• Cares for patients who are medically and/or emotionally seriously ill.
• Handles patients with extreme symptoms, including agitation, hyperactivity, suicidal ideation/intent, catatonia, regression and confusion.
• Relates therapeutically with patients on a one to one basis according to their needs and the plan of care.
• Monitors patient’s dietary intake and nutritional status.
• Supervises meals to encourage good nutrition and safe eating habits.
• Performs work within the safety and infection control policies and guidelines.
• Practices infection control procedures for protection of self, patients and others.
• Applies acceptable lifting of patients, provides patient care, administers medications, lifting, moving and/or transferring patients using equipment to provide patient care usually involves lifting and/or pushing the equipment (e.g. medication cart).
• Use proper body mechanics, such as squatting instead of stooping, bending or twisting.
• Appropriately use personal protective equipment and clothing during performance of duties whenever there is an anticipated occupational exposure to blood, body fluid and/or tissue.
• Removes personal protective clothing in designated containers.
• Attends required training about occupational hazards and required protective measures as required.
• Reports all accidents in a timely manner (within the same work shift the incident occurs unless extenuating circumstances exist)
• Assures all paperwork is completed within appropriate time limits required by TVHS policies.
• Uses current knowledge of pharmacology to recognize and report therapeutic and/or untoward effects of medications.
• Uses practical knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations in working effectively with patients, family and other staff members.
• Actively participates in ward in-service programs and the orientation for Contractor employees.
• Uses principles of adult education to teach patients and their families about treatment needs and procedures to be used in the medical center and at home.
• Participates in change of shift by communicating all pertinent information to Team Leader, Charge Nurse and/or receiving shift.
• Accurately enters and retrieves patient information via computer/written/verbal means, maintaining confidentiality and privacy of patient information obtained in order to complete required job duties.

Nurse Managers in the assigned area will be responsible for ensuring quality patient care. Agency staff will be held to the same performance and professional standards as employees of the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System.

Staff will work in primary care at the Community Based Outpatient Clinics, Med/surg, Acute psych, and the Community Living Centers at the Nashville and Alvin C. York Campuses.

RequirementsMust have security clearance or Pass fingerprint check
Must pass background and drug test