Psychiatric Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

The Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive nursing care to adult patients receiving inpatient psychiatric and behavioral health services. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, the RN assesses patients, develops individualized care plans, administers psychiatric medications, monitors treatment progress, and provides crisis intervention in a safe, therapeutic environment. This role supports patients with mental illness, substance use disorders, PTSD, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and co-occurring medical conditions.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive nursing assessments, including mental status and suicide risk evaluations.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care plans.
• Administer and monitor psychotropic medications and other prescribed treatments.
• Observe and document patient behaviors, mood changes, and response to treatment.
• Identify and respond appropriately to psychiatric emergencies using crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment while ensuring patient safety through observation and risk assessments.
• Coordinate care with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, medications, coping strategies, and discharge planning.
• Monitor patients for medication side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and adverse reactions.
• Assist with admissions, transfers, and discharge planning.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Maintain accurate documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, infection prevention, and facility policies.
• Supervise Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and nursing assistants as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.

Licensure & Certifications

• Current, unrestricted New York State Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• ACLS preferred.
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) or equivalent behavioral management training preferred.

Experience

• One year of RN experience preferred.
• Experience in psychiatric nursing, behavioral health, substance use treatment, emergency psychiatry, corrections, long-term care, or Veterans Affairs healthcare preferred.
• Experience caring for veterans or patients with complex behavioral health needs is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders and psychopharmacology.
• Strong assessment and clinical judgment skills.
• Ability to manage behavioral crises using therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques.
• Excellent interpersonal, documentation, and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR).
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team.

Work Environment

• Inpatient psychiatric units
• Veterans Affairs Medical Centers
• Behavioral health hospitals
• Residential psychiatric treatment facilities
• Substance use disorder treatment programs
• Community Living Centers and long-term behavioral health 

Pay range is $55.00 to $70.00hour