Psychiatric/DD Nurse - Full Time - PN20041463

Ohio Department of Behavioral Health; Athens (OH); On-site; USD 48,160 - 50,489; Full time

Job summary

A state behavioral health department in Athens, Ohio, seeks a Registered Nurse to support adults in residential settings. Responsibilities include developing independent living skills, providing nursing care, and ensuring a safe environment. Candidates must have a current nursing license in Ohio and be ready for shift work including weekends and holidays. Competitive hourly pay starting at $34.96, with opportunities for salary increases and benefits through the SEIU/1199 bargaining unit.

Qualifications

• Current license as Registered Professional Nurse in Ohio as per Section 4723.03 of the Revised Code.
• Official transcripts required for all post-secondary education.

Responsibilities

• Support adults in residential settings to develop independent living skills.
• Maintain a safe environment and de-escalate crises.
• Work with team members to develop individualized service plans.
• Evaluate nursing and medical needs, initiating nursing care plans.
• Provide professional nursing care including administering medications.
• Monitor medication administration and documentation.
• Prepare and update treatment records and reports.
• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.

Education

Current license as Registered Professional Nurse in Ohio

Job description

Overview

Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

Key Responsibilities

• This position focuses on supporting adults in a residential setting to develop essential independent living and social skills. The staff member will work directly with assigned consumers, implementing personal and behavior plans and helping with skills such as hygiene, medication management, food preparation, budgeting, and social interactions.
• Maintaining a safe and supportive environment, de‑escalating crises, modeling professional behavior, and transporting consumers to appointments as necessary.
• Working closely with team members to develop individualized service plans, document progress, and maintain the facility’s cleanliness, contributing to a structured and supportive community.
• Assessing and evaluating nursing and medical needs, initiating and directing the implementation of nursing care plans, observing, evaluating, and recording patient behavior, condition, and response to medication, treatments, and therapeutic activities.
• Providing professional nursing care including administering medications and treatments as ordered by physicians, educating patients on medication, assisting with physical examinations, recording vital signs, performing venipuncture, and responding to emergency situations (e.g., codes, suicide, assault).
• Directing delivery of psychiatric and nursing care by professional and nonprofessional staff (e.g., LPN, TPW), monitoring medication administration, documentation, patient care, and operation of medical equipment.
• Preparing, reviewing, implementing, and updating records, reports, and plans (e.g., individual treatment plans, incidents, restraints/seclusions, nursing care plans, shift reports, transfers, admissions, and discharges).
• Participating as an interdisciplinary treatment team member, performing miscellaneous duties such as light housekeeping, identifying and reporting safety concerns, attending and completing required trainings, and scheduling unit shift breaks and lunch.

Qualifications

• Requires current license as Registered Professional Nurse in the state of Ohio issued by the Board of Nursing per Section 4723.03 of the Revised Code.
• Official transcripts required for all post‑secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five business days will result in disqualification.

Salary & Benefits

The position is hourly and covered by the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 bargaining unit with a pay range of #13 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range Schedule. Normal working hours and shifts are 12‑hour and 8‑hour shifts, totaling 80 hours per pay period.

Additional Salary / Appointment Information

• $34.96 per hour with the first increase in 180 days to $36.65
• Additional $1.50 plus 10% of base pay per hour for shift differential for afternoon and evening shifts
• Annual increases each year with an additional longevity supplement after 5 years of service
• Must be able to complete a 4 week full‑time orientation (including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts, and weekends)
• May work weekends and holidays; may be exposed to communicable diseases and unpredictable patient behavior
• Training and development required to remain in the classification after employment

Work Hours & Shift Information

1st shift: 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
2nd shift: 2:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
3rd shift: 10:45 p.m. – 6:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
With every other weekend and holiday off.

Location

Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare Campus, 100 Hospital Drive, Athens, Ohio 45701

Contact

Email: [e-mail]

About the Department

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) exemplifies The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio’s prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH. DBH is a proud Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace committed to supporting the health and well‑being of all employees, including those in recovery.

Values and Culture

• Service‑Oriented (Person‑Centered, Solution‑Oriented, Customer Service‑Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value‑Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Union Representation

This hourly position is covered by the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 bargaining unit (union).