Psychiatric (RN)

Travel Registered Nurse (RN) – Psychiatric / Adolescent Behavioral Health

12-hour night shift Minimum

6 months Interview Process: TotalMed clinical interview with manager; second interview may be required

Unit Overview The unit has 17 beds serving two primary patient populations: 10 beds: Adolescents ages 12–18 with intellectual and developmental disabilities who can generally perform their own activities of daily living. 7 beds: High-acuity adolescent females ages 12–18 without intellectual disabilities, including patients with significant behavioral challenges or aggression. This is a high-stress, high-acuity environment requiring patience, compassion, flexibility, and a strong commitment to patient and staff safety.

Key Responsibilities Provide nursing care and behavioral health support to adolescent patients. Assess patient conditions and recognize early signs of agitation or behavioral escalation. Apply verbal de-escalation techniques as the preferred intervention whenever appropriate.

Safely perform approved physical holds and follow facility protocols for seclusion and mechanical restraints when clinically indicated. Administer intramuscular (IM) medications as ordered. Manage multiple escalated patients and simultaneous behavioral emergencies.

Monitor patient safety and respond promptly to crisis situations. Collaborate with psychiatrists, advanced practitioners, therapists, case managers, behavioral analysts, and mental health technicians. Maintain accurate documentation in the Cerner electronic medical record.

Follow facility policies, clinical protocols, and applicable safety standards. Float to other units, including pediatric, adolescent, and adult areas, as assigned and within demonstrated competency. Required Qualifications Active RN license valid for the assignment location.

Minimum of 6 months of nursing experience. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. At least one completed travel assignment through the agency submitting the candidate; first-time travelers are not accepted.

Strong verbal de-escalation and crisis intervention skills. Experience recognizing and managing escalating patient behaviors. Ability to administer IM medications.

Comfort with approved physical holds, seclusion, and restraint procedures. Ability to manage multiple high-acuity patients in a fast-paced behavioral health setting. Strong communication, patience, compassion, and emotional resilience.

Willingness to float across units and adapt to changing assignments and schedules. CPI training: Provided on site. Candidates must be willing to complete the facility's physical intervention training and competency requirements.