Pediatric Psychiatric RN
Bangor, Maine
Eastern Maine Medical Center

Registered Nurse - Pediatric Psych

Location: Bangor, Maine Unit: Psychiatric Unit - Pediatric (94 beds: 50 pediatric, 44 adult) Shift: 7P-7A (12-hour night shift) Hours: 36 per week Contract Length: 13 weeks Start: 12/7 needed Interview Process: Interview, then manager approval

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Maine
• At least 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience, with psychiatric experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• BLS certification
• Experience with physical restraints (chemical restraints are NOT used)
• De-escalation experience
• Comfortable running groups
• Pediatric behavioral health experience

Float Scope

• Must be willing to float between adult and pediatric units as needed.
• Floating is allowed between all units, adult and pediatric.
• Travelers who are not comfortable floating to pediatrics may request manager approval to be offered the role without that float.

Patient Population

• Pediatric (ages 5-18): Common diagnoses include eating disorders, depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and gender dysphoria.
• Adult (18+, including geriatric): Most commonly schizophrenia, MDD, and bipolar disorder. Also sees eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and anxiety.
• Involuntary and voluntary admissions.
• All patients come from the ED and are medically cleared. Lines, drains, and tubes are not typical.
• Occasionally sees substance use disorder or detox patients on CIWA, who must be medically cleared.
• No forensic patients or inmates. The unit is locked but does not hold patients under arrest.
• Seclusion rooms are used when necessary.
• Provides traditional medical and psychiatric care plus specialized therapies such as pet therapy, group sessions, and community gardens.

Staffing Ratios

• RN: Day 1:5-6; Night 1:13, with resource support including nursing support.
• Psych Techs: Pediatric day 6, pediatric night 2; adult day 2, adult night 2.

Support and Team

• DON/CNO
• Nurse Manager (days), who is open to travelers raising issues directly
• House Administrator (overnight and weekends)
• Charge nurse (may have a patient assignment)
• Psych Techs
• Contracted phlebotomist for lab draws
• Nurse Practitioner (on site until 1600, on call overnight)
• Psychiatrist (daily rounds, on call 0000-0600)
• Occupational Therapist (0800-1630, 7 days per week)
• Security on site, but does not respond to patient escalations. Staff from all 6 units respond instead.

Role Details

• Traveler may have the opportunity to act as charge nurse, but this is not required.
• Charting system: Cerner. Medication dispensing: Pyxis.
• Scrub color: any solid, professional color.
• Free parking is provided.
• Accepts first-time travelers.

Schedule

• Weekend rotation: every other weekend (Sat/Sun), predetermined.
• Block scheduling cannot be guaranteed.
• No call.
• Overtime is available.
• Expected to work holidays in rotation.
• Modified self-scheduling: travelers sign up for preferred shifts, and the manager or scheduler reviews and adjusts coverage. Travelers who do not sign up in time are automatically assigned vacant shifts.

Orientation

• Week 1 (Mon-Fri): Days, covering facility and unit orientation.
• Week 2: 12-hour shifts on the contracted shift.
• MOAB is completed on site as part of orientation, and MOAB is reviewed again on site. An on-site MOAB educator/trainer is available.
• Scenario-based de-escalation training every other week, as needed.

Onboarding Documents

Flu documentation, annual core competencies, candidate confirmation form, 2 clinical references, confidentiality agreement, CPR (BLS), criminal background check, DHHS APS/CPS and exclusion checks, drug screen, emergency contact sheet, employment authorization, FACIS Level 3, HealthStream training, hepatitis B titers or vaccine/declination, photo ID, physical, medication exam, MMR titers or immunizations, MOAB, N95 mask fit test, NURSYS, OIG search, PPD, SAM screen, sex offender check, skills checklist, TDAP, unit competency, varicella titers or immunization, and work health acknowledgement.

Expectations

• Heavy snow conditions are expected during winter.
• During an escalation, a "code leader" assigns roles to staff while verbally de-escalating the patient. Travelers may serve as the code leader.
• A debriefing form is completed after each escalation. Management rounds on code situations to assist.