Registered Nurse (RN), Child Psychiatry - DECEMBER GRADS WELCOME!

Cincinnati Children's • College Hill, TX

1d • $37 - $43 • Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Nurse provides psychiatric nursing care to children and youth in an inpatient setting at Cincinnati Children’s. The role supports patients experiencing a range of psychiatric challenges, including mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, aggression, self-harm, eating disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Nurses use trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate approaches to establish a safe, stable, and nurturing environment and deliver individualized care in collaboration with patients, families, and an interdisciplinary team.

The RN assesses patient needs, develops and implements care plans, administers medications, monitors patient conditions, and supports activities of daily living. The nurse also leads or supports therapeutic group programming, uses token-economy strategies, maintains assigned observation levels, and prevents or responds to behavioral crises, including through verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary due to imminent risk. Accurate documentation, family-centered communication, regulatory compliance, and participation in safety and quality improvement are key parts of the role.

The position is listed as full time, with 32 weekly hours and 0.8 FTE; the posting also notes full- and part-time opportunities and multiple flexible shifts. Rotating shifts, including weekend and holiday rotation, are required. New graduates are welcome. A Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification Course must be passed during orientation. 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; other state licensure may also be required.
• Foreign graduates must have their license validated through TruMerit in accordance with Ohio Board of Nursing requirements for foreign graduates.
• Pass the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification Course during orientation.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment using trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate strategies.
• Implement a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors and support patient progress.
• 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 and 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.
• Support activities of daily living and provide developmentally appropriate care in group and individualized settings.
• Maintain assigned observation levels, including continuous observation, 15-minute checks, or remaining within arm’s length of a patient.
• Recognize changes or deterioration in patient condition, respond, and escalate concerns as needed.
• Lead or support structured group programming and adapt delivery to developmental needs.
• Engage patients, observe behavior, 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 and continuous performance improvement.
• Identify and promptly report safety and compliance concerns.
• Document assessments, interventions, incident reports, safety checks, and patient progress accurately.
• Review Behavioral Health Specialists’ documentation for timeliness and accuracy, particularly incident reports, safety checks, and behavioral observations.
• Coordinate communication between Behavioral Health Specialists and the interdisciplinary team, clarifying clinical priorities.
• Participate in family-centered rounds and provide families and caregivers with updates and education.
• Use teach-back and other strategies 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, and families to support continuity of care.
• Assign tasks such as safety checks, group facilitation, and patient support, and monitor their 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 integrate them into nursing practice.
• Advocate ethically for patients and families, especially when they cannot advocate for themselves.

Benefits

• Tuition-free benefits, including the Psychiatric Residency Enrichment Program and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training.
• Benefits eligibility for full-time and part-time employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree