Staff Nurse - Per Diem - Multiple Vacancies

About the role

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), established in 1971, offers a full continuum of evidence‑based behavioral health and addiction services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey. UBHC employs 1,060 behavioral health professionals and support staff across 15 sites, with a $260 million budget, providing inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, screening, crisis stabilization, family/caregiver support, community outreach, case management, supportive housing, supported employment, prevention and consultation, employee assistance programs, and a licensed therapeutic school from preschool through high school. Specialty services include the New Jersey suicide prevention helpline and peer help lines for police, veterans, active military, teachers, mothers of special‑needs children, and child protective service workers. In FY2016 UBHC treated 16,199 consumers, had 24,502 admissions, and reached 19,441 individual callers through peer support, while delivering 16,000 trainings annually for NJ state departments.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a per diem Staff Nurse for the Inpatient Units, Crisis and Acute Psychiatric Services within UBHC. The primary purpose of the per diem Staff Nurse position is to deliver person‑centered, goal‑directed nursing care in alignment with departmental and hospital policies, procedures, and all regulatory requirements. The staff nurse functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team, participates in quality improvement and educational activities, and supports research endeavors. The role follows the scope and standards outlined in the Psychiatric‑Mental Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice.

Responsibilities

• Incorporates specific assessment of bio/psycho/social/sexual/spiritual status at admission and throughout care; compares to age norms as an indicator of health, actual or potential deviations, and individualized need for nursing intervention.
• Documents initial nursing assessment and individualized, goal‑directed plan of care considering psychological, social, physical health and safety needs of the patient, per unit standards.
• Develops, discusses, and communicates a realistic, individualized plan of care for each patient in collaboration with the patient, family, and significant other to promote wellness and recovery.
• Demonstrates the skills and judgment necessary to implement the plan of care, nursing interventions, and procedures as required for patient care and safety.
• Evaluates identified problems and care provided; reassesses patient responses to meet patient/family/significant‑other needs and ensure overall quality of care.
• Maintains concurrent and accurate documentation of nursing care for multidisciplinary team use to ensure quality care.
• Maintains current knowledge/certification/licensure and pursues professional growth and development.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all individuals served, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.

Requirements

Minimum education: graduation from a state‑accredited school of nursing. Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of New Jersey.

• Ability to provide psychiatric nursing.
• Ability to relate to patients.
• Ability to use the nursing process.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Ability to direct non‑professional staff and request help as needed.
• Demonstrate strong clinical nursing specialty.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Must be PC literate with proficiency in word processing.

Preferred qualifications include familiarity with equipment used in the unit and the following physical demands: standing 2/3 of the time, walking 2/3, sitting 1/3, use of hands to finger/handle/feel 2/3, reach with hands/arms 1/3, stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl 1/3, talk or hear over 2/3 of the time; manual dexterity and intermittent physical exertion when performing job activities. Work environment: moderate noise (e.g., business office with computers and printers, light traffic); subject to unpredictable situations, patient crises (medical and psychiatric); occasional exposure to patients exhibiting assaultive behaviors; exposure to bloodborne pathogens requiring personal protective equipment; possible exposure to varying or extreme temperatures.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax‑de