Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health (Geriatric Psychiatric Inpatient)
Manchester, New Hampshire
Elliot Hospital

Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health

Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Registered Nurse with behavioral health experience for a locked inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit. The role involves caring for patients with psychiatric and cognitive impairments, including dementia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and other acute psychiatric illnesses.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in New Hampshire
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• At least 1 year of experience in geriatric psychiatric nursing and medical-surgical nursing
• Psychiatric nursing experience within the last year
• Experience working with geriatric patients in an inpatient setting
• Experience in a geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit
• Experience caring for patients with mobility deficits
• One completed travel nursing assignment
• Certifications:

  • BLS (Basic Life Support) issued by the American Heart Association
  • ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) issued by the American Heart Association
  • CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute)
  • NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale)
  • TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course)

Work Details

• Shift: 12-hour nights (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM), 36 hours per week
• Patient Ratio: 1:6
• Average Daily Census: 25 patients
• Call Requirement: None
• Float Requirement: Every other week; may float to adult behavioral health or other units as needed
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend required

Patient Population & Unit Details

• Patients with psychosis, dementia (with and without behavioral disturbances), bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and other acute psychiatric illnesses with cognitive impairment
• Locked unit with involuntary patients accepted
• Seclusion room available
• Safety protocols include 15-minute safety checks and 1:1 observation when appropriate
• Unit divided into psychiatric and behavioral halves based on patient cognitive ability and group participation

Equipment & Systems

• Lift equipment (training provided)
• IV therapy (training provided)
• Communication via Voalte phones
• Panic alarms installed on unit
• Documentation and medication systems: Epic

Uniform

• Scrubs: Any

Required Background & Compliance

• Comprehensive background checks including social security verification, criminal searches, sex offender registry, education verification, and others as required by state and facility policies
• Drug screening: 10-panel drug screen within 14 days prior to start (no exceptions)
• Physical exam within 1 year prior to start
• Fit mask test annually (N95 or equivalent)
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tdap (within last 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray (with 2-step PPD or equivalent)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunity or vaccination
  • Hepatitis B immunity or waiver
  • Varicella immunity or vaccination
  • Seasonal flu vaccination required during flu season (with medical or religious exemptions allowed)
• Respiratory safety clearance questionnaire required
• Pass/fail testing for medication and dysrhythmia competency as applicable
• Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certification preferred or required depending on unit

Additional Requirements

• Two current professional references within the last 3 years, including one from a supervisor or charge nurse
• Employment application and skills checklist required
• Annual internal evaluation for travelers with more than one year of service with the agency
• State-specific registry results and releases as required for New Hampshire

Notes

• Candidates who have previously been employed by the associated health system are not eligible
• Training provided for specialized equipment and procedures
• Must be comfortable working with patients requiring high levels of hands-on care and behavioral health interventions

This position is ideal for experienced behavioral health RNs with geriatric psych experience who have prior travel contract experience and are comfortable working in a locked psychiatric unit with a diverse patient population.