Registered Nurse (RN), Lindner Center of Hope

Cincinnati Children's•Mason, OH

23h•$37 - $43

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides psychiatric nursing care to adolescents in the inpatient psychiatry unit at Lindner Center of Hope. The role focuses on delivering safe, trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate care for youth experiencing psychiatric challenges, while supporting their physical and mental health needs in a team-based setting. The nurse assesses patients, develops and implements individualized care plans, administers medications, monitors patient conditions, and documents care and progress. The nurse helps maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu, including implementing a token economy, conducting safety checks and searches, maintaining assigned observation levels, and preventing or responding to behavioral crises using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention strategies. The role also involves leading or supporting group programming, building therapeutic rapport, communicating with families and caregivers, and coordinating care with an interdisciplinary team. The position is full-time at 0.8 FTE, 32 hours per week, on evening shifts, with every other weekend required. The nurse is expected to maintain licensure, certifications, and required training, contribute to safety and performance improvement, and support the development of students and new nurses. Associate- or diploma-prepared external candidates without a BSN or MSN must enroll in a BSN or MSN program within one year of hire and complete it within five years.

Requirements

Associate- or diploma-prepared RN education from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or NLN CNEA-accredited institution.
External candidates hired without a BSN or MSN must enroll in a BSN or MSN program within one year of hire and complete the program within five years of hire.
Active Ohio RN license; may be required to obtain licensure in other states.
Foreign graduates must have their license validated through TruMerit in accordance with the Ohio Board of Nursing code for Foreign Graduates.
Pass the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification Course during orientation.

Nice To Haves

BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited institution, or an MSN.

Responsibilities

Create a safe, stable, nurturing environment using trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate strategies for patients with psychiatric challenges.
Implement a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors.
Prevent and respond to crises using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention strategies, including verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary due to imminent risk.
Lead and intervene in behavioral crises using the Stress Model of Crisis and individualized care plans.
Perform safety checks, room and patient searches, and monitor environmental risk factors.
Follow departmental policies, hospital protocols, and regulatory standards, including CMS and Joint Commission requirements.
Assess patient care needs, apply clinical judgment, and develop care plans.
Administer medications and monitor their effectiveness.
Develop, coordinate, and implement nursing interventions addressing physical and mental health needs.
Assist with activities of daily living and provide developmentally appropriate care in group and individualized settings.
Maintain assigned observation levels, such as continuous observation, 15-minute checks, or remaining within arm’s length of a patient.
Recognize changes or deterioration in patient condition and escalate concerns as needed.
Lead or support structured group programming and adapt delivery to developmental needs.
Engage patients, observe behaviors, and use observations to inform treatment progress and problem-solving.
Build therapeutic rapport, maintain professional boundaries, and advocate for patient needs.
Maintain knowledge of accreditation standards and regulatory requirements; complete certifications, licensure renewals, and Safety College trainings on schedule.
Partner with nurse councils, Magnet representatives, and leadership to promote safety practices and continuous performance improvement.
Identify and promptly report safety and compliance concerns.
Document assessments, interventions, incident reports, safety checks, and patient progress accurately.
Review and ensure timely, accurate documentation by Behavioral Health Specialists, particularly regarding incidents, safety checks, and behavioral observations.
Communicate clinical priorities between Behavioral Health Specialists and the interdisciplinary team and help coordinate team members.
Participate in family-centered rounds and provide updates and education to families and caregivers.
Use teach-back and other approaches to support understanding of care goals.
Contribute to shift reports, handoffs, and interdisciplinary care planning.
Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice RNs, social workers, allied health providers, patients, and families to support continuity of care.
Assign tasks such as safety checks, group facilitation, or patient support, and monitor completion, quality, and safety.
Participate in shared decision-making through unit-based councils and communication with peers and leaders.
Participate in performance reviews, peer feedback, and clinical education.
Support student and new nurse onboarding through role modeling, mentoring, and shared learning.
Collaborate across disciplines using the Interprofessional Practice Model.
Assess cultural factors and individual preferences that may affect care and incorporate them into nursing practice.
Advocate ethically for patients and families, particularly when they cannot advocate for themselves.