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Nurse Experience Regulation

By Cami Misiak posted 03-08-2019 02:19 PM

  
​Is there a regulation that states the need for minimum experience in mental health for a lead/charge nurse on a BHU? I am fairly certain this is true but am struggling to find this in a CMS regulation or Joint Commission. ​​Any light someone could shed on this for me would be appreciated.
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06-10-2019 02:00 PM

Good Afternoon,
THE e-dition 2017 CMS SCOPs for psych say:  48262:  Conditions of Participation:  Special staff Requirements for Psychiatric Hospitals:482.62(d)(1)  The Director of Psychiatric Nursing Services must be a RN who has a master's degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing, or its equivalent from a school of nursing accredited by the NLN, or be qualified by education and experience in the care of the mentally ill. The Director must demonstrate competence to participate in interdisciplinary formulation of individual treatment plans; to give skilled nursing care and therapy; and to direct, monitor, and evaluate the nursing care furnished.  I do not know how this works for behavioral health units in general hospitals.

06-09-2019 05:02 PM

I will pull it out of the CMS regs tomorrow and post what I have.  We are currently in application status for SCOP B tags for CMS so am too familiar right now.

03-28-2019 06:45 PM

I don't know if anyone has responded.  I have worked in Ohio and in ND.  I have always heard that an MSN is required for a BHU.  If you have an MSN and psychiatric experience its ok I believe the preferred is PSY CNS or NP