Registered Nurse II - Acute Inpatient Psych

Johns Hopkins Medicine; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins Hospital is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse (RN) for the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) in Baltimore. The role covers medication administration, patient assessment, admissions, safety checks, ADLs, therapeutic engagement, and team collaboration to support recovery.

Shifts include night and weekend rotations. The unit emphasizes compassionate, patient-centered care for adults 16+, with crisis prevention and de-escalation as part of daily practice.

Qualifications

• RN licensure required.
• Experience in psychiatric care preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer prescribed medications and document all administrations.
• Monitor patients for medication side effects and report concerns to the provider.
• Conduct physical assessments and psychosocial assessments as required.
• Complete documentation in EPIC for assigned patients.
• Perform 15-minute safety checks on all patients and maintain a safe environment.
• Assist patients with ADLs and mobility.
• Lead therapeutic groups and activities to promote recovery.
• Communicate with RNs, physicians, social workers, and the care team.
• Respond to psychiatric emergencies and de-escalate crises.

Skills

Registered Nurse (RN)

Job description

Make it Happen at Hopkins

Shifts: Night shifts; Weekends per unit rotation

The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been at the forefront of discovery, innovation, and medical advances for over 125 years. Our reputation for excellence has earned us a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list for over two decades. We believe that the commitment from our entire professional staff is one of the primary reasons we can continually set the standard of excellence in patient care, both in our community and around the world. Renowned for our specialty services and innovative clinical advances, we strive to make The Johns Hopkins Hospital an exceptional place to work, learn, and advance your career. For a virtual tour of Johns Hopkins Hospital click here or copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnNaPzR-AEE

The Registered Nurse (RN) on the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) plays a vital role in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care to adults aged 16 and older admitted voluntarily for psychiatric treatment. The unit operates with two specialized teams: one dedicated to patients with dual diagnoses (psychiatric and substance use disorders) and another focusing on patients with primary psychiatric diagnoses.

Core Daily Responsibilities

Medication Administration

• Accurately administer prescribed medications and document all administrations.
• Monitor patients for medication side effects and promptly report any concerns to the provider.

Patient Assessment

• Conduct physical assessments as required.
• Assess patients’ mood, behavior, and mental status regularly.
• Perform psychosocial assessments as needed.
• Complete thorough documentation in EPIC for assigned patients.

Admissions

• Conduct admissions of new patients when assigned, ensuring all necessary information is collected and documented.

Patient Monitoring & Safety

• Perform 15-minute safety checks on all patients; may be responsible for these checks for 1–2 hours per shift.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment by following unit safety protocols diligently.

Direct Patient Care

• Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), including hygiene, grooming, toileting, and feeding when required.
• Provide mobility assistance, helping patients safely in and out of bed.

Therapeutic Engagement

• Engage in therapeutic interactions to support patients’ treatment goals and emotional stabilization.
• Support patients through crisis situations using de-escalation techniques.
• Lead therapeutic groups and activities designed to promote recovery.

Team Collaboration

• Communicate effectively with fellow RNs, physicians, social workers, and other interdisciplinary care team members.
• Participate actively in shift change reports and interdisciplinary care planning meetings.

Crisis Support Duties

• Respond promptly and appropriately to psychiatric emergencies, including managing aggressive or combative behaviors.
• Utilize Crisis Prevention Management (CPM) techniques to de-escalate crises.
• Assist teammates in physical interventions, such as holding or applying restraints, only when necessary to ensure patient and staff safety. These situations are infrequent but may occur.

Salary Range:

Minimum 39.64/hour - Maximum 61.45/hour. Compensation will be commensurate with equity and experience for roles of similar scope and responsibility. In cases where the range is displayed as a $0 amount, salary discussions will occur during candidate screening calls, before any subsequent compensation discussion is held between the candidate and any hiring authority.

The Hospital reserves the right to modify employee schedules as needed.

We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where we embrace and celebrate our differences, where all employees feel valued, contribute to our mission of serving the community, and engage in equitable healthcare delivery and workforce practices.

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are drug-free workplace employers.