Mental Health Inpatient Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN)

Cetechs•Charleston, SC

22h

About The Position

The Mental Health Inpatient Psychiatric Registered Nurse provides holistic, recovery‑oriented care to Veterans admitted to acute inpatient psychiatric units, including the Behavioral Health Recovery Unit (BHRU) and 3A Inpatient Psych. The RN delivers quality, age‑specific mental health nursing care, exercises sound clinical judgment in managing medical and psychiatric emergencies, and serves as a core member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing approved by a State‑accrediting agency and accredited by ACEN, CCNE, or ANCC at the time of program completion.
Current, unrestricted RN license in at least one U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation from an American Heart Association–approved vendor; able to demonstrate CPR competency.
ACLS certification if required by facility or unit policy for critical‑care‑level responsibilities.
At least 2 years of experience in a mental health setting (exclusive of agency assignments).
Must have worked within the last 6 months in an inpatient psychiatric, behavioral health, or closely related setting.
Minimum of 2 years of direct patient‑care experience within the last 3 years.
Demonstrated ability to perform comprehensive psychiatric assessments, manage detox/withdrawal and behavioral crises, and coordinate care in a fast‑paced inpatient environment.
Strong therapeutic communication skills, de‑escalation abilities, and commitment to recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed care.
Willingness and ability to care for COVID‑19 positive patients and PUIs using required PPE and protocols.

Responsibilities

Provide direct nursing care to male and female Veterans (age 18 and older) on acute inpatient psychiatric units, focusing on safety, stabilization, and recovery.
Complete comprehensive Mental Health Nursing Assessments, including use of tools such as the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA) or similar scales; identify risk factors for self‑harm, violence, withdrawal, and medical instability.
Assess, plan, implement, supervise, teach, evaluate, and document nursing care; develop and update individualized plans of care in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
Manage and respond to medical and psychiatric emergencies, detox/withdrawal symptoms, and behavioral crises using de‑escalation, therapeutic communication, and appropriate clinical interventions; initiate BLS and emergency procedures as needed.
Coordinate care across the continuum, including admission, daily treatment, discharge planning, patient and family education, and support for self‑management after discharge.
Monitor and document patient status, behaviors, responses to treatment, and safety concerns; promptly report significant changes to providers and leadership.
Insert and maintain peripheral IV lines as required; administer medications (including psychotropics and other high‑risk agents) safely and accurately; monitor for side effects, adverse reactions, and medication adherence.
Promote a therapeutic milieu by modeling professional, recovery‑oriented interactions; participate in groups, education sessions, and milieu management activities that support patient engagement and progress.
Accompany and/or transport patients to procedures, tests, and appointments as needed, ensuring safety and appropriate hand‑off communication.
Conduct and document regular safety checks, contraband searches, and environment‑of‑care evaluations; provide 1:1 observation when clinically indicated to ensure patient safety.
Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, therapists, and peers to coordinate treatment plans and influence care outcomes.
Complete accurate, timely documentation of all assessments, interventions, and education in accordance with facility and unit policies.
Work 12‑hour shifts on inpatient psychiatric units, with alternating weekend shifts preferred; float between BHRU, 3A, and other mental health areas as assigned based on patient care needs and experience.
Provide care to COVID‑19 positive patients and PUIs when required, following all infection‑control and PPE protocols.