Registered Nurse (RN), Child Psychiatry

Primary Location

College Hill Campus

Department

PA5.400 Child Inpatient

Shift

Rotating (United States of America)

Schedule

Part time

Weekly Hours

0

FTE

0

Employee Status

Stand By

*Expected Starting Pay Range

$37.00 - $41.40

*Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Department/Unit: Child Inpatient Psychiatry

Hours/Shift: PRN - Day/Evening rotating shift (every other weekend required)

Benefit Eligibility: Not Benefits Eligible

Expected Starting Salary Range: $37.00 - $43.02

Cincinnati Children’s Anthem (Video) 

“Our nurses at Cincinnati Children’s work from dawn to dusk and through the starlit hours to deliver the best possible patient care. When parents bring their children through our doors their focus is on one thing – the best outcome for their kids. The nurses at Cincinnati Children’s help them reach the goal with dignity, respect and lots of smiles. Such quality care is why we are a designated Magnet institution since 2009. It is an honor to be recognized for our excellence in nursing; it sets the bar higher for what we need to continually achieve." Barb Tofani - Senior Vice President of Patient Services 

Working as a Psychiatry Nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center you will enjoy:

• Elevating your psychiatric nursing skills by developing greater behavioral assessment skills and therapeutic communication
• Leading and co-leading group programming to support patient engagement.
• Implementing a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors, promote skill-building, and support progress toward discharge goals.
• Providing direct patient care in a team-based setting and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the best outcomes.
• Implementing individualized patient care plans and documenting behavioral observations.
• Establishing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for youth in crisis. 
• A state-of-the-art mental health facility that opened in October 2023!   

Enjoy Tuition Free Benefits Including:

• Psychiatric Residency Enrichment Program
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training

Job Responsibilities

Milieu Management & Patient Safety

• Create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment and utilize trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate strategies to support patients experiencing a range of psychiatric challenges, including mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, aggression, self-harm, eating disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Implement a token economy to reinforce positive behaviors.
• Proactively prevent and respond to crises using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies, including verbal de-escalation and physical interventions when necessary due to imminent risk.
•  Lead and intervene in behavioral crises, apply appropriate strategies based on the Stress Model of Crisis and individualized care plans.
• Perform safety checks, room, and patient searches, and maintain awareness of environmental risk factors.
• Ensure continuous compliance with departmental policies, hospital protocols, and regulatory standards (CMS, Joint Commission).

Nursing Care & Clinical Judgment

• Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment to assess patient care needs and develop care plans.
• Administer medications and monitor for effectiveness.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement nursing care interventions across physical and mental health needs.
• Deliver support for activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, feeding, toileting) and provide developmentally appropriate care in both group and individualized settings.
• Maintain designated observation levels (e.g., continuous observation, 15-minute checks, remaining within arm’s-length of patient) with accuracy and compassion.
• Recognize changes in patient condition, respond to deteriorations, and escalate concerns as needed.

Group Programming & Therapeutic Engagement

• Lead or support structured group programming modifying delivery to meet developmental needs.
• Engage patients meaningfully and observe behaviors to inform treatment progress and problem-solving.
• Build therapeutic rapport while maintaining professional boundaries and advocating for patient needs.

Compliance & Safety Leadership

• Maintain current knowledge of relevant accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
• Complete all certifications, licensure renewals, and Safety College trainings on schedule.
• Partner with nurse councils, Magnet representatives, and leadership to promote safety best practices and continuous performance improvement.
• Identify and report safety and compliance concerns promptly to support a culture of accountability.

Documentation & Communication

• Accurately document assessments, care interventions, incident reports, safety checks, and patient progress.
• Review and ensure timely, accurate documentation from Behavioral Health Specialists, especially around incidents, safety checks, and behavioral observations.
• Serve as the communication bridge between Behavioral Health Specialists and the interdisciplinary team. Clarify clinical priorities and ensure team members are informed and coordinated.
• Actively participate in family-centered rounds; provide updates and education to families and caregivers, promoting transparency and support.
• Utilize teach-back and other strategies to support understanding of care goals.
• Contribute meaningfully to shift reports, handoffs, and interdisciplinary care planning.

Professional Development & Team Collaboration

• Work closely 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, or patient support, while monitoring for completion, quality, and safety.
• Engage in shared decision-making through unit-based councils or ongoing communication with peers and leaders.
• Participate in performance reviews, peer feedback, and clinical education to maintain competency and promote growth.
• Support student and new nurse onboarding through role modeling, mentoring, and shared learning experiences.
• Collaborate effectively across disciplines using the Interprofessional Practice Model (IPM), ensuring cohesive and coordinated care.

Cultural Competence & Advocacy

• Assess cultural factors and individual preferences that may impact care, integrating needs into nursing practice.
• Advocate ethically for patients and families, particularly when they are unable to advocate for themselves.

Qualifications

Required:

●    Associate/Diploma prepared RNs from ACEN, CCNE or NLN CNEA accredited institution

●    If hired as an external candidate without BSN or MSN, must enroll in a BSN or MSN program within 1 year of hire date and complete program within 5 years of hire date

●   Active Ohio RN License. May be required to obtain other state licensure

●    Foreign graduates must have license validated through TruMerit per Ohio Board of Nursing code for Foreign Graduates

• Pass Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification Course during orientation

Preferred:

●       BSN from ACEN or CCNE accredited institution or MSN

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

About Us

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s. 

 Cincinnati Children's is: 

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10  best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years 

• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding 

• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers  (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025) 

• One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune 

• Consistently certified as great place to work 

• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability 

• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 

 We Embrace Innovation—Together.  We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us. 

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability