Psychiatric Nurse

City of Chesapeake Virginia; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

retirement (VRS)

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

City of Chesapeake is seeking a compassionate Psychiatric Nurse for the new 24-hour Crisis Receiving Center. The role focuses on trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care within a multidisciplinary team including nurses, clinicians, and law enforcement.

The position requires an RN license in Virginia (or reciprocal) and at least two years of related experience, with a starting salary in the advertised range and a 10% specialty stipend possible. Benefits and retirement are provided.

Qualifications

• Requires RN license and two years of related nursing experience.
• Associate's degree in nursing required; RN license in Virginia or reciprocal state preferred.
• Virginia RN licensure required or eligible (Nurse Licensure Compact).

Responsibilities

• Provide person centered, trauma informed nursing care in a 24 hour crisis stabilization setting.
• Conduct ongoing nursing assessments and monitor individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
• Administer medications and monitor effectiveness and side effects.
• Coordinate care with clinicians, medical staff, law enforcement, hospitals, and community partners to support safety and continuity of care.
• Support individuals in achieving stabilization and post crisis growth.
• Maintain clinical documentation in accordance with agency, state, and federal guidelines.
• Assist with lab administration, supply inventory, and other nursing support functions.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team collaboration and treatment planning.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Communication

Team collaboration

Stress management

Education

Associate's degree in nursing

Job description

Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position

Working Title of Vacant Position Psychiatric Nurse

Job Type

Job Type Full Time

Posting Type

Posting Type Public

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Department

Department CHES INT BEHAV HEALTHC

Division

Division CIBH MENTAL HLTH SVC

Requisition Number

Requisition Number 2026433

Number of hours worked per week

Number of hours worked per week 40

Work Schedule

Schedules: Sunday-Wednesday 7:00am-5:30pm with a 30 min lunch break

Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Work Site Location

Work Site Location Chesapeake, VA

Position Driving Requirement

Position Driving Requirement O - Occasional

Pay Grade

Pay Grade GE15

Pay Basis

Pay Basis Semi-Monthly

Advertised Salary

Starting Range: $68,040 – $101,210 Actual starting salary depends on experience and qualifications.

* A 10% specialty assignment stipend is available on this position

Job Description

Join Our Team as a Psychiatric Nurse at the Crisis Receiving Center

Are you a compassionate and skilled Psychiatric Nurse who is passionate about helping individuals during moments of crisis? Join Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare and become part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team serving the community in a new 24-hour Crisis Receiving Center focused on mental wellness, stabilization, and recovery.

This exciting opportunity allows a Psychiatric Nurse to work alongside Nurses, Clinicians, Nurse Practitioners, Peer Recovery Specialists, law enforcement, and community partners in a fast paced and supportive environment that emphasizes trauma informed care, recovery oriented practices, and person centered treatment.

The City of Chesapeake offers a comprehensive benefits package, participation in the Virginia Retirement System ( VRS ), professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact every day.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a compassionate and adaptable Psychiatric Nurse with strong clinical judgment, crisis intervention skills, and a commitment to serving individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Current RN license in good standing in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Knowledge of trauma informed care, recovery oriented practices, and de escalation techniques
• Experience working with individuals experiencing psychiatric conditions, substance use, or behavioral health crises preferred
• Ability to remain calm and effective in high stress situations
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with internal teams and community stakeholders
• Experience with medication administration, care coordination, crisis management, and clinical assessment
• Knowledge of lab administration, documentation practices, and supply inventory management preferred

What You’ll Do

As a Psychiatric Nurse, you will operate as part of a comprehensive 24 hour Crisis Stabilization team providing ongoing assessment, crisis intervention, and level of care determination for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide person centered, trauma informed nursing care in a 24 hour crisis stabilization setting
• Conduct ongoing nursing assessments and monitor individuals experiencing behavioral health crises
• Assist individuals experiencing emotional dysregulation, substance use intoxication, disordered thought processes, and other destabilizing events
• Provide crisis intervention services with an emphasis on stabilization at the least restrictive level of care
• Administer medications and monitor effectiveness and side effects
• Coordinate care with clinicians, medical staff, law enforcement, hospitals, and community partners to support safety and continuity of care
• Support individuals in achieving stabilization and post crisis growth
• Maintain clinical documentation in accordance with agency, state, and federal guidelines
• Assist with lab administration, supply inventory, and other nursing support functions
• Participate in multidisciplinary team collaboration and treatment planning
• Perform other related duties as assigned

If you are a dedicated Psychiatric Nurse looking to make a meaningful impact in behavioral health crisis services, we encourage you to apply and become part of a team committed to compassionate care and community wellness.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

#PsychiatricNurse #RN #RegisteredNurse

Required Qualifications

VOCATIONAL / EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT : Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree in nursing.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT : In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of two years of related, full-time equivalent experience.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES :

• Requires licensure as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia or a reciprocal state (according to the Nurse Licensure Compact as prescribed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric nursing, crisis stabilization, emergency services, or substance use treatment settings

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 09/09/2026

Job Close Date

Job Close Date 09/23/2026

Open Continuous No