Clinical Nurse II RN Behavioral Health (5 South) Days

Howard University Hospital Washington DC

Role Summary

The Clinical Nurse II (CN II) is a Registered Nurse reporting directly to the Nurse Manager and embedded on Howard University Hospitals 5 South Behavioral Health inpatient unit where you will deliver safe recovery-oriented trauma-informed care to adults experiencing acute psychiatric and behavioral health crises. Working alongside psychiatrists psychiatric advanced practice providers social workers mental health technicians and a multidisciplinary team you will provide skilled assessment therapeutic engagement medication management and milieu leadership across the full spectrum of acuity from voluntary admissions to involuntary holds.

You will exemplify HUHs CARES values adhere to ANA Psychiatric-Mental Health standards of practice and play a meaningful role in supporting patients and families through some of their most vulnerable moments.

What Youll Do

• Perform comprehensive psychiatric nursing assessments including mental status examination suicide and self-harm risk screening violence risk assessment withdrawal screening and physical health evaluation on admission and throughout the inpatient stay
• Develop implement and update individualized recovery-oriented plans of care in collaboration with patients families psychiatrists and the interdisciplinary team
• Administer and monitor psychotropic medications safely including antipsychotics mood stabilizers antidepressants anxiolytics and PRN agents for acute agitation; recognize and respond to side effects EPS and signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome or serotonin syndrome
• Lead therapeutic milieu management to maintain a safe structured and recovery-focused unit environment; conduct environmental safety rounds and ligature risk checks per policy
• Apply evidence-based de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques as the first-line response to escalating behavior; coordinate emergency response and least-restrictive interventions when needed
• Implement and document levels of observation (routine close 1:1) per ordered safety status; communicate observation responsibilities clearly to assigned staff
• Apply restraint and seclusion only as a last resort in strict accordance with CMS Patient Rights and Joint Commission standards; perform required monitoring documentation and post-event debriefs
• Provide therapeutic communication brief individual interventions and co-facilitate or support psychoeducation and process groups as scheduled
• Conduct contraband searches and belongings inventories on admission and as clinically indicated; maintain unit security protocols including key badge and elopement-prevention procedures
• Recognize and escalate medical emergencies and acute medical decompensation in psychiatric patients; activate Rapid Response or Code Blue per protocol and provide BLS interventions pending team arrival
• Partner with social work and case management on discharge planning coordinating warm handoffs to outpatient psychiatry partial hospitalization (PHP) intensive outpatient (IOP) substance use treatment housing and community resources
• Provide patient and family education on diagnoses medications relapse prevention safety planning and crisis resources including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• Document patient care assessments behavioral observations medication administration restraint/seclusion events and outcomes accurately in the electronic health record
• Delegate tasks appropriately to mental health technicians and other non-licensed personnel; provide oversight and clinical direction
• Adhere to infection control medication administration and storage and controlled substance regulations
• Participate in unit performance improvement programs and engage in education engagement and practice committees
• Maintain and grow clinical knowledge through educational workshops professional publications and professional societies
• Perform other duties as assigned consistent with the scope of this role

Required Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
• Graduate of an accredited school of nursing
• Current active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the District of Columbia
• Minimum one (1) year of clinical experience as a Mental Health Nurse or Psychiatric Nurse in an inpatient emergency or acute behavioral health setting
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) required
• Working knowledge of psychotropic medications DSM-5-TR diagnostic categories DC involuntary commitment processes and patient rights regulations regarding restraint and seclusion
• Strong therapeutic communication de-escalation clinical judgment and team collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification or equivalent de-escalation and behavioral emergency training
• Experience caring for patients with co-occurring substance use disorders trauma histories or forensic involvement
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care frameworks and recovery-oriented practice models

What We Offer

• Work-life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive comprehensive benefit plans including health disability vacation sick leave and 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition remission at Howard University for you and/or eligible dependent children up to two (2) courses per semester
• A mission-driven environment rooted in over 150 years of excellence service and advocacy for the communities we serve

About Howard University Hospital

Howard University Hospital (HUH) is the nations only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. With a legacy dating back to 1862 when it operated as Freedmens Hospital providing care and refuge to those who had been denied it elsewhere HUH has grown into one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and is a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center. Today HUH continues its proud tradition of delivering exemplary patient-centered and culturally responsive care to the community while providing exceptional learning and professional development opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Position Details

Pay & Schedule

This is a full-time non-exempt position covered under the DC Nurses Association (DCNA) collective bargaining agreement. Pay range: $37.33 $62.43/hr commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Compliance Statements

Culture of Care: Howard University Hospital supports a Just Culture that promotes accountability learning and patient safety.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Howard University Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex national origin age disability veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or any other status protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation: Howard University Hospital is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process please contact the Human Resources Department at .

Pay Transparency: Salary ranges listed in job postings reflect the expected compensation range for the position and are provided in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. Final compensation is determined based on experience education internal equity and other relevant factors.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties responsibilities or qualifications associated with the position.