Psychiatric Unit RN
Kankakee, Illinois
Riverside Medical Center

Registered Nurse (Mental Health)

Location: Kankakee, Illinois
Contract Length: 6 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Mental Health Registered Nurse to work primarily with adult patients, with possible floating to adolescent and geriatric populations on a psychiatric unit. The unit includes adult, child/adolescent, and geriatric patients with various mental health diagnoses.

Patient Population & Common Diagnoses

• Adults: Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder/Schizophrenia, Substance Abuse, Anxiety, Psychosis
• Child/Adolescent (5-17 years): Major Depressive Disorder, Behavior and Conduct Issues, Disruptive Mood Regulation Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Trauma History (many in DCFS custody)
• Geriatric (50+): Dementia with Aggression, Dementia with Behavioral Issues, Depression, Psychoses, Neurocognitive Disorder with Behavioral Disturbance, Anxiety

Unit Details

• 25 Adult beds, 25 Child/Adolescent beds, 14 Geriatric beds
• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 2 nurses on all units around the clock
• Team leader (charge nurse) present during weekday day shifts
• Some LPN support available
• Physical restraints used only as a last resort, following CPI guidelines
• Mental health techs on adult and adolescent units; CNAs on geriatric unit
• Nurses may assist with activities of daily living and perform CNA duties as needed
• Respiratory Therapy available for nebulizer treatments
• No telemetry on the unit
• Nurses may run health education groups (e.g., nutrition, medication) but not group therapy

Shifts & Scheduling

• Senior unit shift: 5 AM – 5 PM
• Adult/Pediatric/Adolescent units: 7 AM – 7 PM
• Floating between the three units within scheduled hours
• Schedule posted 30 days in advance
• Weekend and holiday work every other week
• Possible call off up to two shifts
• Typically no floating outside behavioral health department
• Dress code: Caribbean blue scrubs
• Unit orientation: One 12-hour shift on the unit

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in Illinois
• Associate of Science in Nursing or Associate Degree in Nursing
• Minimum 1 year of psychiatric/behavioral health nursing experience within the last year
• BLS certification
• CPI certification required before starting
• Experience with Epic electronic health record system

Additional Information

• Senior unit patients may occasionally require IV antibiotics/fluids (approx. 1-2 patients per month)
• Nurses expected to work collaboratively with techs and other staff for patient care and safety rounds

This position is ideal for a Mental Health RN with behavioral health experience who is comfortable working across adult, adolescent, and geriatric populations in a psychiatric setting.