Registered Nurse

High Plains Mental Health Center•Hays, KS

8d•Onsite

About The Position

High Plains Mental Health Center is hiring a full-time, in-person Registered Nurse for its Crisis Intervention Center in Hays, Kansas. The RN provides nursing care to people experiencing acute mental health and substance use crises, applying nursing skills in a behavioral health setting while gaining specialized experience in psychiatric nursing, crisis intervention, and de-escalation. The role involves assessing and monitoring physical and behavioral health, administering and educating patients about medications, supporting treatment plans, and coordinating care with a multidisciplinary team to help patients stabilize. The schedule is 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., three days per week, including every other weekend and some holidays. Pay starts at $35–$46 per hour, based on experience, with shift differentials of $1–$3 per hour. A $4,500 enhanced sign-on bonus is available for the overnight shift. PRN hours are also available.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.
Current Kansas RN licensure; an ADN or BSN is required.
Strong knowledge of behavioral health crisis care, psychiatric medications, and trauma-informed care.
Must maintain CPR and First Aid certification; certification is provided by the Center.
Must pass required KBI and KDADS background checks.
Must be physically capable of working in high-pressure situations and responding to emergencies.
Must comply with TB testing and health screening protocols.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.
Must maintain a valid driver's license; an MVR will be checked.
Must have no substance-related driving offenses in the past five years.

Nice To Haves

One year of psychiatric nursing, crisis intervention, emergency care, or inpatient experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Conduct initial nursing assessments upon admission and ongoing assessments of patients’ physical and behavioral health.
Monitor vital signs, changes in patient condition, medication responses, and other clinical concerns, and communicate significant findings to medical providers.
Administer prescribed medications, monitor therapeutic effects and potential side effects, and provide medication education to patients.
Provide nursing care and clinical support to individuals experiencing acute mental health and substance use crises.
Use crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, and trauma-informed approaches to manage escalating behaviors and promote patient safety.
Implement and monitor patient safety precautions, including suicide prevention, self-harm prevention, and individualized safety plans.
Respond to medical and behavioral health emergencies in accordance with established protocols and training.
Follow state regulations and facility policies regarding restraints and seclusion, including required monitoring and documentation.
Collaborate with psychiatrists, APRNs, the Clinical Director, nurses, and behavioral health staff to coordinate care and communicate changes in treatment needs.
Support treatment planning and work with case managers to coordinate patient needs, referrals, and discharge planning.
Educate patients and families about medications, treatment recommendations, coping strategies, and follow-up care.
Maintain accurate and timely nursing documentation, including assessments, medication administration, clinical observations, interventions, and patient responses.
Maintain current knowledge of psychiatric nursing, psychopharmacology, mental health disorders, and evidence-based behavioral health practices through training and continuing education.