Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provides nursing care for patients by following professional, hospital, departmental and certification standards to maintain quality care.
• Identifies and addresses patient needs by performing nursing assessments, developing nursing interventions and participating in interdisciplinary team meetings to facilitate discharge.
• Performs duties of medication and treatment nurse following pertinent policies and procedures to carry out physician's orders in a safe and therapeutic manner.
• Works with patients by providing instruction to facilitate the independent management of their personal, hygiene and health needs.
• Supervises employees of a lesser grade by assigning tasks, based on individual competencies, evaluating performance, and making recommendations concerning performance to maintain a high level of quality care.
• Provides instruction to other nursing staff by example and explanation to ensure quality services to patients and to maintain professional standards of nursing.
• Facilitates the implementation of treatment plans by interdisciplinary team by conferring with appropriate health care professionals to meet the stated goal for each patient.
• Admits, transfers and discharges patients, coordinating health care services to ensure continuity of care following standards established by hospital policy and certification guidelines.
• Identifies, evaluates and responds to changes in patient conditions, documenting and reporting such changes to the appropriate person to ensure prompt response to patient needs.
• Maintains an awareness of the D.M.H. regulations and hospital policy and procedure regarding the use of seclusion and restraint, through supervision and instruction, to maintain patient dignity and human rights.
• Maintains professional proficiencies by attending and participating in in-service trainings and educational programs to foster growth and development.
• Assumes charge nurse responsibility for a single shift in the absence of a nurse of a higher grade to provide continuity of care.
• Provides psychosocial support to patients through individual counseling and group work to maintain the therapeutic milieu.
• Performs tasks of assigned staff in their absence to ensure continuity of care.
• Provides for the supervision of staff through individual counseling and/or regular staff meetings; through appropriate role modeling and overseeing the orientation process. Participates in the progressive disciplinary process as required.
• Actively involved in the improved operational process at both unit and hospital wide level to improve quality of care.
• Practices Principals of COLLABORATION, ASSESSMENT, RECOVERY and ENVIRONMENT (CARE), to provide a safe environment.
• Maintains and communicates to nursing staff through knowledge of DMH, CMS, and The Joint Commission and HIPAA standards in order to maintain standards of care.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of Nursing/Mental Health Nursing
• Ability to understand and apply the laws, regulations, and rules of governing and certifying agencies
• Ability to receive written and oral instructions.
• Talent for communicating effectively in oral expression, writing clearly and concisely, and developing ideas in logical sequence.
• Ability to review observations and data, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Effectively participating in a multi-disciplinary treatment team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Psychiatric Nursing experience
• Given the population we serve, bilingual or multilingual fluency

About Tewksbury Hospital:

Tewksbury Hospital operates a 370-bed facility and a campus of over 700 acres of land. Its patient care services are provided under the auspices of the Department of Public Health and Mental Health. Joint Commission accredited LTAC hospital that provides high quality, comprehensive treatment, care, and comfort to adults with chronic medical and mental illness. A full range of services are provided including 24/7 Nursing, Nurse Practitioners, Medicine as well as psychiatric and psychological services, a 6- bed dialysis unit, clinical laboratory, radiology, respiratory care, nutrition, speech/language, pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, therapeutic recreation and arts, and pharmacy.

Learn more:https://www.mass.gov/locations/tewksbury-hospital

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this position please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for the required experience .

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LEVELS IN SERIES: Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

*Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination.

Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.