Per Diem Psychiatric Admissions Nurse – Triage & Placement

Brattleboro Retreat; Brattleboro, Northern (VT, KY); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 117,000; Part time

Job summary

Brattleboro Retreat is seeking an Admission Nurse for per diem coverage to support fast-paced, high-acuity psychiatric admissions. You will triage referrals, conduct medical and psychiatric assessments, and determine the safest unit placement for patients across pediatric to adult programs.

The role requires strong medical-surgical nursing skills, excellent clinical judgment, and effective communication with families and clinical teams in a confidential environment.

Qualifications

• Vermont RN licensure or eligibility for Vermont licensure.
• Two years of recent clinical nursing experience (within the last 4 years), preferably in a medical-surgical, or emergency room setting.
• Ability to assess and triage patients with co-occurring medical and mental health needs.
• Experience working with patients across child, adolescent and adult age spectrum.
• Proficient in using electronic health record systems; understanding of HIPAA and patient confidentiality requirements.
• Proven ability to problem solve and evaluate appropriate patient placement.
• Proven competence with physical assessment, nursing care and theory, as well as level of care criteria and nursing management of medical comorbidities.

Responsibilities

• Triages psychiatric referrals to assess medical stability and determines appropriate unit placement.
• Conducts initial clinical assessments to evaluate physical and mental health status.
• Determines level of care and unit assignment based on clinical presentation, age group and facility capabilities.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with all referral sources, physicians, intake staff, families, and internal staff.
• Ensures complete and accurate documentation of clinical findings and decisions in the electronic health record.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe and smooth patient admissions.
• Maintains working knowledge of mental health criteria, medical screening protocols, and facility-specific admissions guidelines.
• Provides crisis intervention and de-escalation when necessary.
• Supports family involvement, when appropriate, during the admissions process.
• Reviews incoming referrals for clinical appropriateness, completeness, and urgency, ensuring all admissions align with facility criteria and patient safety standards.
• Completes required mandatory education, e-learning courses assigned to improve skills and professional development courses required to maintain competency.
• Other nursing duties as assigned.

Skills

Medical-surgical nursing

Triage

Crisis intervention

Clinical communication

HIPAA compliance

Education

RN licensure

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

Brattleboro Retreat is seeking an Admission Nurse for per diem coverage to support fast-paced, high-acuity psychiatric admissions. You will triage referrals, conduct medical and psychiatric assessments, and determine the safest unit placement for patients across pediatric to adult programs.

The role requires strong medical-surgical nursing skills, excellent clinical judgment, and effective communication with families and clinical teams in a confidential environment.