RN - Behavioral Health Registered Nurse - Emergency Department

About the role

Geisinger offers a full‑time Inpatient RN position with up to a $21,500 hiring incentive for eligible candidates, a minimum hiring rate of $41.50/hour (with higher rates for experienced nurses), and up to $7 shift differentials for evening, night, and weekend shifts. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive nursing care to patients with behavioral health, psychiatric, substance use, and emotional crisis needs.
• Utilizes evidence‑based assessment, intervention, de‑escalation, and therapeutic communication techniques to promote patient safety, stabilization, and appropriate disposition.
• Collaborates with emergency physicians, psychiatrists, advanced practice providers, social workers, case managers, security personnel, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Completes assessments per scope of practice and unit standards, including behavioral health and suicide risk assessments.
• Addresses physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of patient and family throughout the continuum of care.
• Formulates, coordinates, and provides plan of care per unit standards, including patient/family education, family needs, and discharge planning.
• Provides direct patient care including treatments, medications, and diagnostic studies per policy and procedure.
• Evaluates effectiveness of nursing interventions and revises plan of care based on patient response.
• Initiates collaboration with physicians, ancillary personnel, and interdisciplinary team members to proactively resolve patient needs.
• Problem solves, troubleshoots, and takes corrective measures in equipment care and handling.
• Participates in unit‑based decision‑making regarding utilization of evidence‑based practice.
• Actively participates as a team member toward unit and organization goals and is accountable for unit and system‑specific metrics.
• Actively participates in patient quality and safety education programs and activities to improve departmental and organizational quality and safety.
• Provides therapeutic interventions and crisis stabilization.
• Monitors for withdrawal, self‑harm, aggression, elopement risk, and worsening psychiatric symptoms.
• Utilizes verbal de‑escalation techniques during crises.
• Maintains compliance with suicide precautions, observation levels, and safety protocols.
• Serves as a behavioral health resource for emergency department staff.

Requirements

• Minimum 1 year of behavioral health experience required; 2 years preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of nursing experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of related work experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a Specialty Training Program‑Nursing (required).
• Bachelor’s Degree‑Nursing (preferred).
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification – American Heart Association (AHA).
• Licensed Registered Nurse (Pennsylvania) – RN_State of Pennsylvania.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification – default issuing body.

Benefits

• Healthcare benefits for full‑time and part‑time positions from day one, including vision, dental, and domestic partner coverage.
• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.
• Hiring incentive up to $21,500.
• Shift differentials up to $7/hour for evening, night, and weekend shifts.

Pay

Minimum hiring rate of $41.50 per hour, with increased rates for experienced individuals; plus up to $7 shift differentials for evening, night, and weekend shifts.

Schedule

1.0 FTE, night shift. Orientation at 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week) with option to transition to three 12‑hour shifts after orientation. Every other weekend