Psychiatric Liaison Nurse

State College, PA, United States (On-site)

The Psychiatric Liaison Nurse, under the clinical supervision of the Manager Behavioral Health, provides professional nursing care to patients. The role is responsible for performing behavioral health assessments, planning, implementing, and evaluating the behavioral health treatment provided to the patient on the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) and the Emergency Room patient with ordered mental health evaluation. Additionally, the nurse serves as a resource/support to the acute medical care inpatient units with the behavioral management of patients with behavioral health issues throughout the Medical Center.

• Education: Baccalaureate degree in Nursing, Psychology or related behavioral science field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of one year full-time experience in psychiatric nursing or employment in a behavioral health setting with an understanding of addictions and mental health diagnosis, triage and treatment preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to function with a high degree of independence; possess strong problem solving skills; ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with others; presents self in a professional and supportive manner; ability to remain calm in stressful situations; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with diverse populations.
• License/Certification/Registration: Current licensure as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; certification in area of specialization by the American Nurses Credentialing Service preferred; meets the American Heart Association’s standards for Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) and renews BLS every two years; within three months from the hire/transfer date, completes Crisis Prevention Institute’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (CPI NCI) training and renews every 2 years thereafter.

• Received: Receives clinical supervision from the Manager Behavioral Health. Will work collaboratively with the Medical Director and psychiatric provider team consisting of physicians and CRNP’s. Performs duties in an independent manner. Seeks guidance when necessary. Will collaborate with the Behavioral Health Unit charge nurse to best meet the behavioral health needs of the Medical Center. Consults with the Manager Behavioral Health when unusual situations arise.
• Given: None.

• Performs inpatient Behavioral Health Unit RN duties.
• Collects comprehensive, accurate and systematic data.
• Assesses the patient in physical, mental/physical status, medication status, risk factors, and patients expectations within 8 hours of admission.
• Develops individualized nursing care plans and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams within 24 hours of admission.
• Implements nursing actions to promote, maintain or restore physical and mental health, prevent illness and effect rehabilitation.
• Provides medication teaching and uses ADLs to foster self-care.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients, visitors and employees.
• Proficiently uses oxygen equipment, suction equipment, saline locks, foley and straight catheters, ambu bag, enema equipment and accesses resources for nursing procedures.
• Completes quality behavioral health clinical assessments of emergency room patients with a consultation request, and provides crisis intervention and referral services as needed.
• Acts as a psychiatric liaison for patients in the acute medical inpatient units, coordinating transition to the Behavioral Health Unit and communicating behavioral health plans of care.
• Serves as a behavioral health resource and advocate, providing education and assistance to staff, patients, and other departments.

Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.

• Job Identification: 2282
• Job Category:
  Clinical and Professional Services
• Posting Date: 11/06/2025, 12:57 PM
• Job Schedule:
  
  Full time
• Job Shift: Day with Rotation
• Locations: 155 WELLNESS WAY, State College, PA, 16803, US (On-site)
• FTE: 1
• Call required:
  No