Travel Nurse RN - Psychiatric
Ithaca, NY
First Connect Health
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Registered Nurse – Inpatient Psychiatric (BSU)

Order ID: CCA-46474

Contract Duration: 13 Weeks (10/04/2026 – 01/02/2027)

Shift Matrix: Night Shift | 19:00 – 07:00 (3x12-Hour Shifts)

• Schedule Quality: Standard 12-hour night shifts.

• On-Call Requirement: None.

  Guaranteed Hours: 36 Hours Per Week

🚫 Absolute Minimum Qualifications & Unit Hardstops:

• Licensure Mandate: Active, unencumbered New York State (NYS) RN License held in hand at submission.
• Experience Baseline: Minimum 3+ years of dedicated Inpatient Psychiatric / Behavioral Health RN experience.
• Core Certification Required: Active AHA BLS certification. (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Board Certification / PMHN preferred).
• Clinical Proficiency Mandate: Verified competency in acute psychiatric evaluations, de-escalation protocols, psychotropic medication management, and crisis intervention for adult and adolescent populations.

Job Summary & Clinical Scope

A hospital in Ithaca, NY is seeking an experienced Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN Psych) for a 13-week night assignment within the Behavioral Services Unit (BSU - 1157). The RN will deliver evidence-based, compassionate psychiatric care and behavioral management for adult and adolescent patients admitted with acute mental health conditions, psychiatric crises, and dual diagnoses.

• Behavioral Assessment & Care Planning: Execute comprehensive psychiatric nursing assessments, observe behavioral patterns, identify acute risk factors, and formulate individualized care plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Crisis De-Escalation & Safety: Utilize therapeutic communication techniques and evidence-based de-escalation strategies to manage acute behavioral emergencies, agitation, or self-harm risks while maintaining a safe milieu.
• Psychopharmacology & Medication Administration: Administer daily and PRN psychotropic medications, evaluate therapeutic efficacy, monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or adverse drug reactions, and conduct patient/family medication education.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Documentation: Coordinate care daily with psychiatrists, psychiatric social workers, occupational therapists, and mental health technicians; maintain complete clinical documentation in compliance with NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) standards.

Department & Facility Details

• Department Setting: Behavioral Services Unit / BSU (Cost Center: 1157).
• Unit Footprint: Inpatient acute psychiatric unit with 20 adult beds and 6 adolescent beds.