Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatric RN
Manchester, New Hampshire
Elliot Hospital

Behavioral Health Registered Nurse Travel/Contract Job

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

Job Summary

• Work on a locked inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit with behavioral health patients.
• Patient diagnoses include psychosis, dementia (with and without behavioral disturbances), bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and other acute psychiatric illnesses with cognitive impairment.
• Unit split into Psychiatric and Behavioral sides based on patient cognitive ability and group participation.
• Involuntary patients accepted; seclusion room available; 15-minute safety checks and 1:1 observation as needed.
• Patient ratio: 1 nurse to 6 patients.
• Average daily census: 25 patients.
• Shift: 12-hour nights (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM), 36 hours per week.
• Every other weekend required.
• Float every other week to adult behavioral health and occasionally to a "helping hands" unit.
• No call requirement.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Hampshire.
• Minimum 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience, including geriatric psychiatric experience.
• Psychiatric nursing experience within the last year.
• Experience working with geriatric patients in an inpatient setting.
• Med Surg nursing experience.
• Long Term Care (LTC) or Rehabilitation experience.
• Completion of at least one travel nursing assignment; no first-time travelers.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Current CPR certification.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certification.

Unit & Equipment Details

• Use of lift equipment and IV therapy (training provided).
• Communication via Voalte phones; panic alarms installed on unit.
• Documentation and medication systems use Epic.
• Scrubs: Any color/style allowed.

Patient Care Environment

• Patients may require intensive hands-on care due to mobility deficits and behavioral issues.
• Unit accepts involuntary patients and uses seclusion rooms as needed.
• Safety protocols include frequent safety checks and 1:1 observation when appropriate.

Compliance & Background Requirements

• Background check required within 30 days of start, including:

  • Social Security verification
  • National sex offender registry
  • National and state criminal searches (excluding NH counties; NH state police search required)
  • Education verification
  • BEAS (Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services) background report for New Hampshire
• Drug screen: 10-panel urine drug screen within 14 days prior to start (no exceptions).
• Two current professional references required, including one from a supervisor or charge RN.
• Physical exam within 1 year prior to start.
• Respiratory safety clearance required via virtual questionnaire.
• Annual fit mask test required (N95 or equivalent masks).
• Immunizations/vaccinations required:

  • Tdap (within last 10 years)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine (required October 31 - April 1; exemptions allowed with documentation)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray within 1 year, plus TB questionnaire.
  • Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis B immunity or vaccination documentation required. Declinations require facility-specific waivers.
• Facility-specific waivers required for medical or religious exemptions for flu, Tdap, and Hepatitis B vaccines.
• Pass/fail dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam required within 48 hours of contract signing for certain units (check unit assignment).
• Medication and pharmacology competency exams required for internal purposes.

Additional Requirements

• SSA release and state-specific background releases required.
• Employment application and skills checklist required.
• Annual internal evaluation required for travelers with 1+ year tenure with the agency.
• Photo for badge (passport style, jpeg format) required.
• Proof of auto insurance required if driving to patient homes (not applicable for this inpatient role).

Notes

• Travelers who have previously been employed by the associated health system are not eligible.
• Training for lift equipment and IV therapy will be provided on site.
• Candidates must be comfortable working with patients requiring high levels of hands-on care and behavioral management.

This position is ideal for experienced psychiatric RNs with prior travel experience seeking a night shift role on a locked geriatric psych unit in New Hampshire.