Behavioral Health Geriatric Psychiatry RN
Manchester, New Hampshire
Elliot Hospital

Job Opportunity: Behavioral Health Registered Nurse

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

Job Summary

Seeking a Registered Nurse with experience in geriatric psychiatric inpatient care for a locked behavioral health unit. The unit accepts involuntary patients and requires comfort with hands-on patient care including incontinence, mobility deficits, IV fluids, wound care, and catheter care.

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in New Hampshire
• Behavioral Health experience, minimum 1 year, including experience within the last year
• Mental Health and Psychiatric experience
• One completed travel assignment
• BLS issued by American Heart Association
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing / Associate Degree in Nursing
• Experience working with geriatric patients
• Experience in an inpatient setting
• Foley catheter experience

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 "helping hands" units as needed
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend required

Patient Population & Unit Details

• Diagnoses include psychosis, dementia (with and without behavioral disturbances), bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and other acute psychiatric illnesses with cognitive impairment.
• Unit is locked with seclusion rooms and 15-minute safety checks or 1:1 observation as appropriate.
• Unit divided into psychiatric and behavioral halves based on patient cognitive ability and group participation.

Equipment & Systems

• Lift equipment and IV therapy (training provided)
• Voalte phones for communication
• Panic alarms installed on unit
• Documentation and medication systems use Epic

Required Compliance & Documentation

• Background checks including social security verification, criminal searches, and state-specific registry checks (e.g., NH BEAS State Registry)
• Drug screening (10-panel) within 14 days prior to start
• Physical exam within 1 year prior to start
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Flu vaccination (seasonal, with medical/religious exemptions allowed)
  • 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
  • Varicella immunity or vaccination
  • Hepatitis B vaccination or waiver
• Fit mask test annually (N95 or equivalent)
• Respiratory safety clearance questionnaire required
• Pass/fail testing for dysrhythmia/EKG and medication competency exams may be required depending on unit assignment
• Documentation of OSHA education and facility-specific safety training

Additional Notes

• Travelers who have previously been employed by the associated health system are not eligible.
• Professional references and employment history documentation required.
• Training provided for specialized equipment and unit procedures.

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