Registered Nurse

High Plains Mental Health Center; Hays (KS); On-site; USD 48,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

403(b) Plan

KPERS Retirement Plan

HSA & FSA

Holiday pay

$4,500 sign-on bonus

Paid Time Off

Job summary

High Plains Mental Health Center is seeking a Mental Health RN for the Crisis Intervention Center in Hays, KS. Start rate is $35-$46 per hour with shift differentials and a $4,500 sign-on bonus.

Schedule includes nights, full-time, in-person work, 7pm–7am, three days per week, with every other weekend and some holidays. The role focuses on psychiatric nursing care, assessments, medication administration, and inter-disciplinary collaboration to stabilize patients in crisis while expanding

Qualifications

• Must hold Kansas RN license (ADN or BSN).
• 21+ years old as a requirement.
• Preferred experience in psychiatric nursing or crisis intervention.
• CPR and First Aid certification required.
• Must pass background checks and have valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial and ongoing nursing assessments.
• Monitor vital signs and patient condition; report changes.
• Administer prescribed medications and provide education.
• Deliver care to individuals in acute mental health and substance use crises.
• Apply de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care.

Skills

RN licensure (KS)

Crisis intervention

Psychiatric nursing

Medication administration

Vital signs monitoring

Education

Kansas RN licensure (ADN/BSN)

Job description

Description

Now Hiring: Mental Health RN – Starting at $35-46 per hour!

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, November 23rd, 2026 at 7:00am CDT.

Position: CIC Registered Nurse (RN)

Location: Hays, Kansas | Crisis Intervention Center

Pay: Starting at $35-46 per hour [based on experience] | Shift differentials available- earn $1-3 more per hour) | $4,500 ENHANCED SIGN-ON BONUS (overnight shift)

Job Type: Full-time | In-person | [PRN hours also available]

Schedule: 7pm-7am | 3 days per week | Working every other weekend | Some holidays required

WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY:

Take on a different kind of challenge and expand your nursing experience. The Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) offers a chance to apply your existing nursing skills in a behavioral health setting. You'll continue performing assessments, administering medications, monitoring patient health, and coordinating care while gaining specialized training in psychiatric nursing, crisis intervention, and de-escalation.

You'll work with individuals experiencing acute mental health and substance use crises. Your role will include monitoring physical and behavioral health, recognizing changes in patient condition, supporting treatment plans, and working alongside a multidisciplinary team to help patients stabilize.

Grow your career. Gain specialized clinical experience, develop new skills, and explore opportunities for professional advancement in a growing area of healthcare.

Make a difference close to home. High Plains Mental Health Center operates one of Kansas's first Crisis Intervention Centers, providing an alternative to traditional hospital emergency departments for individuals experiencing mental health crises. To learn more about our Crisis Intervention Center, watch our CIC information video. To tour the CIC, watch our virtual tour here.

If you're an RN looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to expand your nursing skills, we'd love to hear from you.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Conduct initial nursing assessments upon admission and ongoing assessments to monitor patients' physical and behavioral health throughout their stay.
• Monitor vital signs, changes in patient condition, medication responses, and other clinical concerns; communicate significant findings to medical providers.
• Administer prescribed medications, monitor therapeutic effects and potential side effects, and provide medication education to patients.
• Provide nursing care and clinical support to individuals experiencing acute mental health and substance use crises.
• Use crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, and trauma-informed approaches to manage escalating behaviors and promote patient safety.
• Implement and monitor patient safety precautions, including suicide prevention, self-harm prevention, and individualized safety plans.
• Respond to medical and behavioral health emergencies in accordance with established protocols and training.
• Follow state regulations and facility policies regarding restraints and seclusion, including required monitoring and documentation.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, APRNs, the Clinical Director, nurses, and behavioral health staff to coordinate care and communicate changes in treatment needs.
• Support treatment planning and work alongside case managers to coordinate patient needs, referrals, and discharge planning.
• Educate patients and families on medications, treatment recommendations, coping strategies, and follow-up care.
• Maintain accurate and timely nursing documentation, including assessments, medication administration, clinical observations, interventions, and patient responses.
• Maintain current knowledge of psychiatric nursing, psychopharmacology, mental health disorders, and evidence-based behavioral health practices through training and continuing education.

WHY JOIN US?

At High Plains Mental Health Center, we're here for you — not only for the individuals and communities we serve, but for every member of our team. Our mission drives everything we do, and that includes supporting our employees with the same compassion, dedication, and care we offer our clients.

When you join us, you become part of a purpose-driven organization where your work has a real impact. You’ll provide critical mental health services to those who need them most, while being part of a team that values your expertise, supports your well-being, and invests in your professional growth through continuous learning and career advancement opportunities.

WHAT WE OFFER:

-Competitive Pay: from $35-46 per hour [plus earn $1-$3 more per hour with shift differentials!]

-Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Excellent Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off & Extended Illness Time
• 403(b) Plan
• KPERS Retirement Plan
• Supplemental Benefits
• HSA & FSA
• Holiday pay [holiday pay in addition to any hours worked; our Center recognizes 7 holidays]
• Convention Leave & Funds [to obtain CEUs]
• License Renewal
• Scholarship, work-study, & internship opportunities for employees
• $4,500 SIGN-ON BONUS
• And more!

If you have any questions or need help with documentation, please feel free to contact [e-mail].

Requirements

• Must be 21+ years old with current Kansas RN licensure (ADN or BSN).
• Preferred, but not required: one year of psychiatric nursing, crisis intervention, emergency care, or inpatient experience.
• Strong knowledge of behavioral health crisis care, psychiatric medications, and trauma-informed care.
• Must maintain CPR and First Aid certification (provided by our Center).
• Must pass all required background checks (KBI, KDADS).
• Physically capable of working in high-pressure situations and responding to emergencies.
• Must comply with TB testing and health screening protocols.
• Muss pass pre-employment drug screening.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license; [MVR will be checked]. No substance-related driving offenses in the past 5 years.