RN, Behavioral Health

OHSU; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) seeks an experienced Outpatient Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (BH RN) for our Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic in Portland. You will work with psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and other care team members to coordinate care, manage MyChart communications, and support timely patient access across diverse behavioral health services.

The role requires a BSN, 2+ years in behavioral health, and strong communication, with Epic/EHR familiarity and

Qualifications

• BSN from CCNE/ACEN/CNEA accredited program
• Minimum 2 years RN experience in inpatient/outpatient behavioral health
• Strong clinical judgment and communication skills
• Experience with an electronic health record (Epic preferred)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines
• Excellent customer service and coordination skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook/Access

Responsibilities

• Support key clinical workflows including MyChart message management, triage, medication refills, prior authorizations and referrals
• Coordinate care and navigate patients through the care journey to ensure timely access
• Bridge clinical care with operational workflows in a multidisciplinary outpatient psychiatry setting
• Assist in onboarding and expanding Interventional Psychiatry services as needed

Skills

Clinical judgment

Clear verbal and written communication

Active listening

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/Power2/​P

Education

BSN (CCNE/ACEN/CNEA accredited)

Tools

Epic

Electronic Health Record

Job description

Department Overview

About OHSULink www.ohsu.eduOHSU's singular focus on improving health starts with Oregonians and has global impact. We are the only academic health center in Oregon, but we're also nationally distinct as a university dedicated solely to advancing health sciences. This allows us to concentrate resources on research to prevent and cure disease, on education that prepares physicians, dentists, nurses and other health professionals to succeed in an evolving health care environment, and on patient care that incorporates the latest knowledge and discoveries. We have 18,000 employees and secure competitive research funding of more than $400 million a year. As a public organization, we provide community outreach and services for Oregon's most vulnerable populations. OHSU’s stated mission to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation and leadership in health care, education and research.

About OHSU Doernbecher Children’s HospitalLink https://www.ohsu.edu/doernbecherWith a strong tradition of teamwork, diversity and interdisciplinary care, we believe all children deserve the best. At Doernbecher, we built a hospital around that belief. It’s why we have more specialists in children’s health than anywhere else in the state. We offer the newest and most advanced treatments available, along with innovative collaborations and research opportunities. As Oregon’s only academic health center, we strive to offer the best medical care to every child across Oregon, Southwest Washington and beyond.

About The Department of PsychiatryLink https://www.ohsu.edu/school-of-medicine/psychiatry

The fundamental purpose of OHSU and The Department of Psychiatry is to improve well-being.

The OHSU Department of Psychiatry is part of the OHSU Brain Institute, and focuses on providing excellent clinical treatment to our patients, leading innovative research, and offering hands-on training for the next generation of psychiatrists. Our specialists care for people of every culture and background and it is our mission to value and show appreciation for diversity, showing respect for all people who we treat, teach, and serve.

Function/Duties of Position

The Outpatient Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (BH RN) is an integral member of the Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic, working within a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, physician associates, psychologists, care coordinators, social worker, and Patient Access Specialists. This role is designed to strengthen clinical operations, enhance patient access, and support high-quality behavioral health care delivery across a growing and dynamic outpatient setting. The BH RN plays a central role in bridging clinical care and operational workflows, ensuring patients receive timely, coordinated, and clinically appropriate support throughout their care journey.

The BH RN is responsible for managing and supporting key clinical workflows, including MyChart message management, triage, medication refills, prior authorizations, medication clarification, referral coordination, and care navigation to support timely patient access, strengthens care coordination, and ensures continuity across care transitions, including hospitalization follow-up and coordination of IOP admissions when appropriate.

As a core member of the care team, the BH RN contributes to a therapeutic, collaborative, and patient-centered environment. This role requires strong clinical judgment, clear communication, and the ability to navigate complex patient needs within an ambulatory behavioral health setting.

The Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic includes multiple specialty areas, including Psycho-Oncology, Electroconvulsive Therapy, and the Resident Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic, with continued growth planned through the expansion of Interventional Psychiatry services. The BH RN role is foundational to supporting this expansion, helping to build sustainable workflows and ensuring readiness for increasing clinical complexity and volume.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• BSN Graduates: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from a program accredited by Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) 30 days before start date.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 Years RN Experience in an inpatient or outpatient Behavioral health setting.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Basic medical terminology understanding.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of diverse customers in difficult situations.
• Experience with an electronic health record.
• Strong problem solver who can evaluate a situation and ask the critical questions to understand the problem and then select a solution resulting in problem resolution.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Active listening skills; ability to deal with customers in stressful situations; ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent customer service skills both in person and on the telephone.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to complete multiple tasks within inflexible and rapidly changing deadlines.
• Good organization, follow through and time management skills; ability to prioritize.
• Ability to create and maintain quality working relationships with staff and faculty at all levels of the organization, using good judgment in recognizing the scope of authority.

Performance Factors:

• Attendance and dependability: Consistent and regular attendance to work.
• Can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate and thorough manner and is conscientious about assignments.
• Willing to work overtime as necessary depending on volume of work.

Registrations, Certifications and/or Licenses:

• Current, unencumbered Oregon State Registered Nurse License.
• BLS at time of hire and must be issued by the American Heart Association (AHA)
• BLS must not expire during orientation.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Epic.

Additional Details

Length of Orientation – Experienced Nurse

• External candidates: OHSU & Nursing New Employee Orientation (NEO) for about a week.
• Either Transition to Practice (TTP) Program Specialty Fellowship/Fellowship Learning Pathway or Orientation experience for 3 days-26 weeks depending on the care area. An employment service agreement may apply.

This position also comes with great benefits! Some highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care plans. Covered at 100% of the cost for full-time employees and 88% for dependents.
• $50K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
• Vacation - 192 to 288 hours per year depending on length of service, prorated for part-time
• Holidays - up to 64 holiday hours per calendar year (employees accrue .0308 holiday hours for each hour paid – included in vacation accruals)
• Sick Leave - 96 hours per year, prorated for part-time
• Substantial public transportation discounts (Tri-met and C-Tran)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Innovative Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including extensive wellness resources

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [e-mail]