Nurse Lead

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Lead Nurse to join our team. The Nurse Lead provides leadership and direction to licensed and non-licensed staff in the provision of nursing care to individuals with mental and/or developmental disabilities in Center service settings. Acts as role model and resource person and has the ability to effectively implement the nursing process under the requirements of the Texas Nurse Practice Act. Demonstrates effective utilization/deployment of nursing staff, encourages professional growth among nursing staff, and ensures delivery of quality nursing service. Scope of responsibilities encompasses unit/program during assigned shift, or hours of operation in outpatient settings.

What you will do:

• Utilizes a five step systematic process (nursing process) to deliver consumer services. This process includes assessment, analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Demonstrates decision making that is clinically sound, systematic, timely, well researched and reflects
  awareness of impact. 
• Performs technical nursing skills within the scope of practice for a RN and in accordance with Agency policies and procedures for individual and/or multiple consumer assignments. 
• Documents clinically relevant information regarding nursing care in consumer records that includes but is not limited to observations of signs, symptoms, test results, behaviors and response to medications and treatments. 
• Informs, explains and educates consumers/family and health care team as needed regarding medications, disease processes and health information at level fitting consumer/family and team members’ comprehension.
• Assigns specific tasks and supervises other RN’s, LVN’s and unlicensed staff in Center service settings in accordance with program design and structure.
• Leads assigned staff in completing duties and assignments, including, coaching, mentoring, and teaching as needed.
• Promotes positive work relationships with staff, team members, supervisors and other disciplines and/or agencies.
• Works independently with minimal supervision and demonstrates effective use of time.
• Provides ethical nursing care in a confidential, caring, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner.
• Performs related work as assigned, adapts to changing work requirements and complies with agency policies and procedures accrediting/regulatory bodies and performance contract documentation requirements

What qualifications you will need:

• Associate’s degree (A.D.) or equivalent
• Bachelor’s in Nursing is preferred.
• Nursing degree required. RN License required.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Nurse Practice Act and nursing care standards of practice.
• Knowledge of applicable pharmacy rules and regulations.
• Basic knowledge of Pharmacology including psychopharmacology..
• Knowledge of and ability to apply crisis intervention techniques.
• Understanding of Standard Precautions and infection control procedures for dealing with sharp instruments, needles, blood and body fluids.
• Understanding of good body mechanics to avoid injury.
• Basic knowledge of the principles of psychiatric/mental health nursing and/or
  developmental disabilities nursing.
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles.
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written).
• Effective data collection skills.
• Positive interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to prioritize.
• Demonstrates initiative and self direction.
• Able to coordinate well with others and work effectively as a leader.
• Able to use all related medical equipment, machines and monitors.
• Able to execute standard word processing on computer.
• Demonstrates strong time management skills.
• Able to complete task and assignments independently.
• Demonstrates clinically sound decision making.
• Able to meet Agency/Unit mission and objectives through the effective use of leadership and management skills.
• Ability to develop therapeutic relationships and positive rapport with chronically mentally ill patients and/or developmentally disabled consumers.

What we have to offer:

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

What else you should know:

• The position number associated with this posting is 70087
• Location: 6160 S. Loop East., Houston, TX 77087

• Day shift: Three 12-hour shift on 1st week from 6:45am - 7:15pm; 2nd week is three 12-hour shifts from 6:45pm-7:15am; 8 hour admin day from 6:45am-3:15pm; No weekends.

About us:

The HARRIS CENTER is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas.  As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provided care to over 96,000 people in fiscal year 2023! 

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The HARRIS CENTER provides a full continuum of services at 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language to better serve what is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.