Psychiatric nurses support people with a range of mental health and addictions issues. They aim to build good relationships with patients and their families so that everyone is involved in the therapy process. A mental health nurse has to be sympathetic and non-judgmental. You will need to be able to gain a patient’s trust. You’ll also need to manage emotional situations.

This position provides direct patient care with support from two behavioral health assistants and other scheduled psychiatric nurses. This is for a 12 bed inpatient locked adult mental health unit inside of a rural hospital so we serve both voluntary and involuntary patients. All patients are tested for COVID before admission and no new diagnosis COVID patients are admitted to the unit. The unit is managed by the Nursing Director, Psychiatrist (including Medical Director) and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Behavioral Health Assistants, Therapists and Social Work Case Manager. We provide groups and activities on a scheduled basis throughout the day. We also have numerous sensory tools available to patients to help manage their crisis in addition to our serenity rooms. 

Teamwork is essential in this setting and the staff providing care to patients in Mental Health Crisis work together collaboratively to keep the unit safe for patients and themselves. Staff are trained in de-escalation techniques and provided opportunities for learning as they arise. Our staff and unit prides itself on our very low restraint / seclusion rates and promotion of staff and patient safety. Our unit utilizes duress buttons and dynamic flexibility to approach each patient and situation in the safest way possible. New nurses are given orientation / preceptorship for 2-3 months depending on the experience of the nurse. New graduate nurses are given three months of orientation with a supervising nurse.

This position is for three twelve hour shifts per week (72 hours per pay period). It may be day or night shift depending on need. Sign On Bonus / Relocation Assistance is given up to $10,000 for Nurses willing to commit to two years of work with the Hospital. This opening is for a RNI-III and pay is between 34.39-48.15 depending on experience. 

This position is in Juneau which is the capital of Alaska with a population of around thirty thousand. It is home to beautiful natural scenery, hiking, fishing and numerous outdoor activities. The climate here is more moderate then northern Alaska and the community welcoming to new residents and visitors. 

If you are interested in learning more before applying, please call 907-796-8659 or email athorsteinson@bartletthospital.org to speak with Ariel Thorsteinson, BSN, RN-BC, Director of the Mental Health Unit.