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

Cincinnati Children's•College Hill, TX

10h•$37 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is hiring a Registered Nurse for its Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry department. The nurse provides direct, team-based care to youth experiencing psychiatric and physical health needs, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team and families to support patient outcomes. The role includes developing behavioral assessment and therapeutic communication skills, leading or supporting group programming, using a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors, implementing individualized care plans, and documenting behavioral observations. The nurse helps create a safe, stable, nurturing, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate environment for patients experiencing challenges such as mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, aggression, self-harm, eating disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Responsibilities include crisis prevention and response, medication administration, observation and safety checks, assistance with activities of daily living, clinical assessment, and coordination of care. The nurse also communicates clinical priorities across the care team, participates in family-centered rounds and interdisciplinary planning, and supports safety, regulatory compliance, professional development, and continuous improvement. The position is listed as full time, with a rotating schedule and 32 weekly hours (0.8 FTE). The department description also notes full- and part-time day/evening rotating shifts, with every other weekend required. The expected starting pay range shown for the position is $37.00–$42.60; another department listing gives $34.00–$40.18. Pay depends on experience, skills, and equity, and additional differentials and benefits may apply. The role is benefits eligible and includes tuition-free benefits such as the Psychiatric Residency Enrichment Program and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training.

Requirements

Associate- or diploma-prepared RN 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 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.
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 strategies based on the Stress Model of Crisis and individualized care plans.
Perform safety checks, room and patient searches, and monitor environmental risk factors.
Maintain compliance with departmental policies, hospital protocols, and regulatory standards, including CMS and Joint Commission requirements.
Assess patient care needs using critical thinking and clinical judgment, and develop care plans.
Administer medications and monitor their effectiveness.
Develop, coordinate, and implement nursing interventions for physical and mental health needs.
Support activities of daily living and provide developmentally appropriate care in group and individual settings.
Maintain designated observation levels, including continuous observation, 15-minute checks, and remaining within arm’s-length of a patient.
Recognize changes in patient condition, respond to deterioration, and escalate concerns as needed.
Lead or support structured group programming and adapt it to patients’ developmental needs.
Engage patients, observe behaviors, build therapeutic rapport, maintain professional boundaries, and advocate for patient needs.
Maintain knowledge of accreditation standards and regulatory requirements and complete certifications, licensure renewals, and Safety College training 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 Behavioral Health Specialists’ documentation for timeliness and accuracy, especially documentation of incidents, safety checks, and behavioral observations.
Serve as a communication bridge between Behavioral Health Specialists and the interdisciplinary team, clarifying clinical priorities and coordinating information.
Participate in family-centered rounds, provide updates and education to families and caregivers, and use teach-back and other strategies to support understanding.
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, 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.
Ethically advocate for patients and families, particularly when patients cannot advocate for themselves.