Behavioral Health Nursing

[Rachael Retter]

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate some input on this. I work for a home health agency, as the full-time Weekend admission nurse. Recently, they have asked me to step into the role as the behavioral health nurse which will primarily be through telehealth.  This is a completely new program for our company and it started about a month ago. I am finding many roadblocks and questions along the way. One of my biggest questions is about the point system for a behavioral health RN through home health. I work 12 hour days and usually need to get 10 points each day. Our start of cares are worth 2.5 points and I usually do four of them. RN initial evaluations are worth 1.5 points. Right now they are having me chart a behavioral health assessment under a RN initial evaluation. However, the pre-and post time of work I put into each encounter is so much significantly longer than I would do for a start of care. For example,  I am calling around different doctors to discuss possible medication issues, finding resources within their area and calling to make sure that the waitlist aren't too long, printing out forms on cognitive behavioral therapy, substance use, grieving, etc., and mailing it to those patients. I also have a ton of time talking to Family when the patient is not there, especially in situations of dementia. ( which talking to family is 0 points but takes hours and hours a week) .  Right now on paper it would look like my actual points are incredibly low. When really I have been working 2 to 3 longer and burning myself out already. Are your behavioral health nurses under a point system? Is there some different system holding their time accountable ? Do they have different contact types? Any input would be greatly appreciated ! 

[C.Love, MSN, NP]

It sounds like they are not accounting for administrative time which is unusual, good for them but not you. The points system sounds sketchy, I would keep looking for a job the pays fairly.