Psychiatric Nurse

Job Summary

To provide specialized psychiatric nursing care to clients with substance use disorders and related mental health conditions, including mental health assessment, medication administration, monitoring of withdrawal and psychiatric symptoms and crisis management, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities

• Psychiatric Assessment & Care Planning

• Conduct mental state and risk assessments (e.g. suicide, self-harm, aggression, relapse risk) on admission and on an ongoing basis.
• Develop and implement nursing care plans in collaboration with the clinical team
• Medication & Clinical Management
• Administer psychotropic and other prescribed medications accurately and monitor their effects and side effects.
• Monitor and manage withdrawal symptoms and detoxification in line with clinical protocols, escalating complications promptly.
• Maintain safe storage, custody and records of medications, including controlled drugs.
• Crisis Management & Client Safety
• Respond to psychiatric emergencies, agitation and self-harm risk, using approved de-escalation techniques.
• Coordinate referral or transfer of clients requiring a higher level of medical or psychiatric care.
• Psychoeducation & Multidisciplinary Collaboration
• Provide health education and psychoeducation to clients and families on mental health, medication adherence and relapse prevention.
• Participate in case conferences and multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Documentation & Professional Compliance
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date and confidential clinical records and nursing notes.
• Observe infection prevention standards, nursing ethics and Nursing Council of Kenya requirements.

Requirements

Skills and Competencies

• Mental state and risk assessment
• Psychotropic medication management
• Withdrawal monitoring
• De-escalation and crisis management
• Clinical documentation

Qualifications

• Diploma in Nursing with specialization in Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing
• Training in addiction/ substance use management is an added advantage
• At least 2 years' psychiatric nursing experience, preferably in an addiction treatment or mental health setting
• Registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya and a valid practicing license
• Basic Life Support/ First Aid certification