Introduction:

This statement is supported by and compliments the following statements:

• Nursing Service Statement on Modular Nursing Model

• Nursing Service Statement on the Nursing Pattern of Care

Broad Statement of Responsibilities:

The Registered Nurse (Mental Health) is accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager for the care of patients/clients and their families during hospitalisation, demonstrating and applying a knowledge and understanding of all aspects of nursing care. The application of that knowledge and experience ensures patients’/clients’ needs are met and in liaison with other Registered Nurses, Clinical Nurses and the Clinical Nurse Manager maintains clinical standards within a multi-disciplinary team environment. The Registered Nurse (Mental Health) is accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager for cost effective management of resources in providing patient/client care services.

The following statements relate to specific nursing responsibilities:

• Nursing Assessment, including Risk Assessment and Mental State Examination;
• Communicates with the community team to obtain collateral history;
• Gathers information from relatives / carers who accompany the patient to hospital;
• Maintenance of a constant safe environment for the client based on the Risk Assessment;
• Complete a Missing Persons report form;
• Orientate the client to the Ward environment and daily routine;
• Collaborate with the client to complete an individual activity proforma;
• Facilitate the daily Therapeutic Group Program;
• Ensure treatments and procedures are completed ie xrays, bloods and preparation for ECT;
• Ensure clients and their carers are provided with written statements of their "Rights and Responsibilities";
• Ensure that patients are aware of, understands and is involved in their treatment plan;
• Provide an explanation of and ensure patients understanding of rights and responsibilities;
• Ensure safe storage of the clients valuables;
• Administer prescribed medication, and PRN medication;
• Provide ongoing monitoring and reporting of patients mental state;
• Present nursing observations and GAF score of primary clients at Ward Rounds;
• Attendance at Guardianship Board hearings for primary clients;
• Negotiate individual daily counselling sessions with primary clients to identify and problem solve various issues;
• Liaise with the Community Mental Health Teams regarding discharge planning;
• Complete and distribute a Nursing discharge summary.

The following statements relate to broader nursing practice:

• using the nursing process to deliver comprehensive care to patients/clients;
• practising within own abilities and qualifications and accepting accountability for own nursing care and service delivery, in accordance with Flinders Medical Centre standards and policies;
• the safety of patients/clients;
• the quality of patient/client care provided to own specific caseload and/or delivered by supervised staff;
• providing direction and supervision to less experienced Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses and students in the care of their clients;
• establishing and maintaining communication that facilitates nursing teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration;
• functioning in accordance with common law, legislation and the profession’s code of ethics;
• participating in research and policy development within the practice setting;
• maintaining contemporary nursing knowledge;
• delivering direct and comprehensive nursing care and individual case management to patients/clients within the practice setting;
• coordinating services including those of other disciplines or agencies to individual patients/clients within the practice setting;
• providing education, counselling and group work services orientated towards the promotion of health status improvements of patients/clients within the practice setting;
• providing support, direction and education to newer or less experienced staff and enrolled general nurses, student nurses and student enrolled nurses;
• accepting accountability for the employee’s nursing care and service delivery, in accordance with Flinders Medical Centre standards and policies;
• participating in action research and policy development within the practice setting;
• Nursing staff will assume the overall management of a patient’s episode of care, for example ensuring that all appropriate services for the patient are in place. This includes services within the In-patient setting and may also include but is not limited to, liaising with the patient’s family and community mental health team;
• During Ward Rounds nursing staff will outline the relevant details and history of the patient, for example name, age, home town, diagnosis, and context of current admission. Nursing staff will summarise the decisions made in the Ward Round and will document the Nursing Care Plan as soon as possible after the Ward Round;
• During discharge planning nursing staff will ensure that the local mental health team and the GP is notified of the discharge date and appropriate plans are in place to facilitate the patient’s return to their community. Consideration may also need to be made to contact any existing carers.

Although the above statement covers most of the responsibilities that In-patient nurses will assume, it may not be an exhaustive list. Therefore prudent judgement should always be considered as to whether or not a particular task should become the responsibility of Nursing, especially if the matter relates to client safety care or comfort.