Psychiatric ICU RN
Manchester, New Hampshire
Elliot Hospital

Behavioral Health Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Job - New Hampshire

Job Overview

• Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
• Employment Type: Travel/Contract
• Shift: Night shift, 12-hour shifts (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM), 36 hours per week accepted
• Contract Length: 13 weeks
• Patient Population: Adults aged 18-64 (some geriatric exceptions)
• Unit Type: 16-bed locked psychiatric intensive care unit (adult behavioral health)
• Typical Length of Stay: 6-9 days (psychiatric intensive care), 10-14 days (general behavioral health)
• Patient Diagnoses:

  • Suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, agitation
  • Thought disorders, psychosis
  • Chronic persistent mental illness including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression NOS, anxiety NOS, personality disorders
• Staffing: Typically 2-3 RNs and 2 LNA/MHT per shift
• Float Requirement: Float to Psychiatric Emergency Program (PEP) and General Psychiatric Unit (GPU)
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend (EOW)
• Call Requirement: None
• Target Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: 1:6

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Hampshire
• Minimum 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience within the last year
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) or Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certification
• Experience with Epic electronic medical record system

Unit and Clinical Details

• The unit is a designated receiving facility for involuntary psychiatric patients under state law but also admits voluntary patients.
• Focus on therapeutic milieu including individual and group therapy, coping skills, problem solving, assertiveness, self-esteem, relaxation, and leisure skills.
• Patients develop individualized treatment plans to manage life stresses contributing to hospitalization.
• Documentation and communication systems include Omnicell, Epic, and SBAR.

Compliance and Background Requirements

• Background Checks:

  • Social Security verification
  • National sex offender registry
  • National and state criminal searches (excluding NH county criminal searches; NH state police search required)
  • Education verification
  • Motor vehicle background check if driving to patient homes (not applicable for this unit)
• Drug Testing: 10-panel drug screen within 14 days prior to start (no exceptions)
• References: Two current professional references within last 3 years, including one supervisor or charge nurse
• Employment Application and Skills Checklist: Required
• Physical Exam: Within 1 year prior to start
• Respiratory Safety Clearance: Required for all clinical travelers via virtual questionnaire
• Competency Exams: Medication and pharmacology competency exams required for internal purposes

Immunization and Health Requirements

• Flu Vaccination: Required annually during flu season (Oct 31 - Apr 1). Medical and religious exemptions allowed with proper documentation and approval.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap: Vaccine within last 10 years required; titers not accepted. Medical and religious exemptions allowed with documentation.
• TB Testing: Negative 2-step PPD, Qgold, or T-spot within 1 year prior to start. For past positive TB, negative chest x-ray within 5 years plus annual TB questionnaire required.
• Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella: Immune titer or 2 vaccines at least 28 days apart required. No religious exemptions allowed.
• Hepatitis B: Immune titer or 3 vaccines at least 28 days apart required. Declinations accepted with signed waiver. No religious exemptions allowed.
• Varicella: Immune titer or 2 vaccines at least 28 days apart required. No history of disease accepted. No religious exemptions allowed.
• Fit Mask Test: Annual fit mask test required for clinical candidates (N95 or equivalent). CAPR training available if candidate fails fit test.

Documentation and Facility Specific Requirements

• Passport-style photo (jpeg) for badge
• Copy of current professional RN license (for states without paperless verification)
• Background check and immunization documentation must be current and uploaded prior to start
• Completion of facility-specific compliance attestations and immunization waiver forms if applicable

This position offers an opportunity to work in a specialized locked psychiatric intensive care unit with a focus on adult behavioral health, providing care to patients with serious mental illness in a supportive and therapeutic environment. The role requires acute behavioral health nursing experience, specific certifications, and compliance with comprehensive health and background screening protocols.