Registered Nurse - Per Diem

Registered Nurse - Intensive Crisis Unit

Per Diem

Schedule: TBD

Location: 904 East Church Street, Suite A, Elmira, NY

The Registered Nurse (RN) provides direct, patient-centered nursing care within a 24/7 Intensive Crisis Center serving individuals experiencing acute mental health and/or substance use crises. This role focuses on rapid assessment, stabilization, and coordination of care within a short-term, high-acuity setting.

Working within an integrated care model, the RN collaborates with medical providers, clinicians, and peer staff to address co-occurring behavioral health and medical needs, ensuring safe, timely transitions to appropriate levels of care. All services are delivered in accordance with New York State OMH, OASAS, SAMHSA, and nursing practice standards.

There is a shift differential with this program:

• Day Shift (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM): +$1.00 per hour
• Evening Shift (5:00 PM – 11:00 PM): +$2.00 per hour
• Overnight Shift (11:00 PM – 8:00 AM): +$3.00 per hour

Essential Job Functions

• Maintain a respectful, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented environment that prioritizes client safety, dignity, and engagement
• Conduct rapid, comprehensive nursing assessments, including medical, psychiatric, and substance use histories
• Provide ongoing monitoring and reassessment to support stabilization in a high-acuity, short-term care setting
• Administer medications per provider orders, including psychiatric medications, withdrawal management protocols, and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
• Monitor and manage withdrawal symptoms, psychiatric distress, and acute medical conditions, responding promptly to changes in status
• Respond effectively to behavioral health and medical emergencies, utilizing crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques
• Collaborate with providers and the interdisciplinary team to support real-time clinical decision-making and disposition planning
• Facilitate admissions, discharges, and transfers, ensuring efficient and coordinated transitions of care
• Perform and document clinical procedures such as vital signs, EKGs, point-of-care testing, urine toxicology, phlebotomy, and wound care as appropriate
• Provide brief, targeted health education focused on crisis stabilization, medication adherence, harm reduction, and next steps in care
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Ensure compliance with infection control, safety protocols, and regulatory standards
• Support medication management systems, including oversight of controlled substances and adherence to safety protocols
• Promote integrated, person-centered care addressing co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions

Secondary Job Functions

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and quality improvement initiatives
• Assist with onboarding, training, and mentoring of nursing and support staff
• Maintain Qualified Health Professional (QHP) status as applicable
• Participate in emergency preparedness activities, including drills and protocol development
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support program operations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of crisis stabilization, psychiatric emergencies, and substance use withdrawal management
• Familiarity with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT/MOUD), including buprenorphine, methadone coordination, and naltrexone
• Understanding of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented practices
• Strong clinical judgment and ability to make timely decisions in high-pressure situations
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across interdisciplinary teams
• Proficiency in EHR systems and clinical documentation requirements
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties.

While performing this role, the employee must be able to:

• Use a computer and standard office equipment with visual and auditory capacity
• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally
• Respond to behavioral or medical emergencies, which may require physical activity and rapid response
• Maintain composure and professionalism in high-stress situations

Work Environment

Work is performed in a 24/7 Intensive Crisis Center providing immediate stabilization services for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. The environment is fast-paced, high-acuity, and team-oriented, requiring flexibility and responsiveness. All staff must adhere to tobacco-, alcohol-, and drug-free workplace policies and infection control standards.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Nursing required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Current New York State Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in behavioral health, emergency, inpatient, or substance use treatment settings preferred
• Experience in crisis stabilization or psychiatric/emergency services strongly preferred
• Current CPR certification (or ability to obtain upon hire)
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass required background checks

This job description is intended to provide a description of essential job functions that are used in order to assess employee performance. It is not an all-inclusive statement of job responsibilities.

Pay: $38.00 - $44.00 per hour

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• Patient care: 1 year (Preferred)
• Medication administration: 1 year (Preferred)
• Clinical: 1 year (Preferred)
• Behavioral health: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• RN License (Required)
• BLS Certification (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)
• Night Shift (Preferred)
• Overnight Shift (Preferred)

Work Location: In person