Registered Nurse (RN), Adolescent Psychiatry - NEW GRADS WELCOME!

Department: Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry, PA4.400

About the role

Join the nursing team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a designated Magnet institution since 2009, and elevate your psychiatric nursing skills in a state-of-the-art mental health facility that opened in October 2023. This part-time role (24 hours/week) involves a rotating day/evening shift with every other weekend required.

Responsibilities

• Milieu Management & Patient Safety
  • Create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment using trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate strategies for patients with psychiatric challenges, including mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, aggression, self-harm, eating disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Implement a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors.
  • Proactively prevent and respond to crises using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies, including verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary due to imminent risk.
  • Lead and intervene in behavioral crises, applying strategies based on the Stress Model of Crisis and individualized care plans.
  • Perform safety checks, room and patient searches, and maintain awareness of environmental risk factors.
  • Ensure continuous compliance with departmental policies, hospital protocols, and regulatory standards (CMS, Joint Commission).
• Nursing Care & Clinical Judgment
  • Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment to assess patient care needs and develop care plans.
  • Administer medications and monitor for effectiveness.
  • Develop, coordinate, and implement nursing care interventions across physical and mental health needs.
  • Deliver support for activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, feeding, toileting) and provide developmentally appropriate care in both group and individualized settings.
  • Maintain designated observation levels (e.g., continuous observation, 15-minute checks, remaining within arm’s-length of patient) with accuracy and compassion.
  • Recognize changes in patient condition, respond to deteriorations, and escalate concerns as needed.
• Group Programming & Therapeutic Engagement
  • Lead or support structured group programming, modifying delivery to meet developmental needs.
  • Engage patients meaningfully and observe behaviors to inform treatment progress and problem-solving.
  • Build therapeutic rapport while maintaining professional boundaries and advocating for patient needs.
• Compliance & Safety Leadership
  • Maintain current knowledge of relevant accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Complete all certifications, licensure renewals, and Safety College trainings on schedule.
  • Partner with nurse councils, Magnet representatives, and leadership to promote safety best practices and continuous performance improvement.
  • Identify and report safety and compliance concerns promptly to support a culture of accountability.
• Documentation & Communication
  • Accurately document assessments, care interventions, incident reports, safety checks, and patient progress.
  • Review and ensure timely, accurate documentation from Behavioral Health Specialists, especially around incidents, safety checks, and behavioral observations.
  • Serve as the communication bridge between Behavioral Health Specialists and the interdisciplinary team.
  • Actively participate in family-centered rounds; provide updates and education to families and caregivers, promoting transparency and support.
  • Utilize teach-back and other strategies to support understanding of care goals.
  • Contribute meaningfully to shift reports, handoffs, and interdisciplinary care planning.
• Professional Development & Team Collaboration
  • Work closely with physicians, advanced practice RNs, social workers, allied health providers, and families to support continuity of care.
  • Assign tasks such as safety checks, group facilitation, or patient support, while monitoring for completion, quality, and safety.
  • Engage in shared decision-making through unit-based councils or ongoing communication with peers and leaders.
  • Participate in performance reviews, peer feedback, and clinical education to maintain competency and promote growth.
  • Support student and new nurse onboarding through role modeling, mentoring, and shared learning experiences.
  • Collaborate effectively across disciplines using the Interprofessional Practice Model (IPM), ensuring cohesive and coordinated care.
• Cultural Competence & Advocacy
  • Assess cultural factors and individual preferences that may impact care, integrating needs into nursing practice.
  • Advocate ethically for patients and families, particularly when they are unable to advocate for themselves.

Requirements

• Active Ohio RN License. May be required to obtain other state licensure.
• Associate/Diploma prepared RNs from ACEN, CCNE, or NLN CNEA accredited institution. If hired as an external candidate without BSN or MSN, must enroll in a BSN or MSN program within 1 year of hire date and complete program within 5 years of hire date.
• Foreign graduates must have license validated through TruMerit per Ohio Board of Nursing code for Foreign Graduates.
• Pass Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification Course during orientation.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• BSN from ACEN or CCNE accredited institution or MSN.

Benefits

• Part-time benefits eligible.
• Tuition-free benefits including:
  • Psychiatric Residency Enrichment Program.
  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training.

Pay

Expected starting salary range: $37.00 - $43.02 per hour.

Schedule

• Part-time: 24 hours/week.
• Rotating day/evening shift (every other weekend required).