Description

American Traveler is seeking an experienced RN for a 13-week Adolescent Psychiatric Unit assignment requiring at least 1 year of psych experience and a valid NY RN license.

Details

• Work setting is an acute care psychiatric unit serving both a child side (ages 5–11) and an adolescent side (ages 12–17), with 27 total beds
• Common diagnoses include ADHD, depression, mood disorders, autism, intellectual disabilities, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse history — average LOS is approximately 3 weeks
• Nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:6 for both day and night shifts, with a minimum of 3 nurses on the floor at all times
• No routine IV therapy on this unit; IVs are only used in code or emergent situations
• No telemetry monitoring on this unit
• 12-hour shifts, nights (7p–7:30a)
• Every other weekend required
• Charting is done via Allscripts EMR
• Travelers are first to float and may be floated to adult psych, other children's psych units, a psych emergency/crisis area, detox, or rehab

Requirements

• Active NY RN license required
• Required certifications: BLS (AHA), ACLS, and PALS
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) or PMCS certification required prior to start
• Minimum 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience required
• Some pediatric clinical experience required
• BSN preferred but not required

Additional Information

• First-time travelers are welcome to apply
• Care approach on this unit emphasizes therapeutic communication — connecting, talking, and eye contact — over physical intervention
• Physical restraints are used only seldomly and will be covered during orientation
• Unit is supported by PCTs who perform direct observation (q15-minute rounds), EKG, and phlebotomy, as well as Mental Health Aides who engage patients in activities
• Charge nurses (assistant nursing care coordinators) are present 24 hours; travelers who have been on the unit for a period of time may be placed in charge roles
• Orientation consists of 3 days on this unit plus orientation to any units travelers may float to
• Travelers are expected to remain flexible with scheduling to fill gaps; block scheduling is not available and excessive call-ins may result to termination
• At least one major holiday is expected to be worked during the holiday season
• No on-call or standby requirements
• RN scrub color is royal blue
• Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) / De-escalation training will be covered as part of orientation