Gero-Psych Registered Nurse (RN)

We are seeking an experienced Gero-Psych Registered Nurse (RN) for a contract opportunity in Akron, Ohio. This position requires a skilled psychiatric nurse with experience caring for geriatric patients experiencing conditions such as dementia, depression, and suicidal ideation.

The ideal candidate will have strong psychiatric nursing skills, recent Epic experience, and the ability to provide safe, compassionate, patient-centered care in a fast-paced behavioral health environment.

Position Details

• Job Title: Gero-Psych Registered Nurse (RN)
• Job ID: SUM-2954
• Location: Akron Campus, Akron, OH
• Department: Geropsych – BHP 4th Floor
• Contract Dates: September 20, 2026 – November 28, 2026
• Shift: Nights | 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM
• Schedule: 12-hour shifts
• Openings: 1
• Employment Type: Long-Term Assignment
• Experience Required: Minimum 2 years
• Interview: Required
• Float Requirement: Yes, within scope of practice

Unit Details

This is a 16-bed geriatric psychiatric unit with private patient rooms. The patient population primarily consists of individuals 60 years and older with behavioral health conditions, including:

• Dementia
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation and other psychiatric conditions

Typical nurse-to-patient ratios are approximately 1:6 to 1:7.

The ideal staffing model includes:

• 3 Registered Nurses
• 2 Technicians

Actual staffing may vary based on patient census and acuity, with approximately 1–3 technicians available on the unit.

For additional staff safety, the unit utilizes Centrak badges, which function similarly to panic buttons and allow Protective Services to be dispatched immediately when activated.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care to geriatric psychiatric patients.
• Assess, monitor, and document patients' physical, emotional, and behavioral conditions.
• Administer medications and treatments according to physician orders and facility policies.
• Monitor patients for changes in mental status, safety concerns, and suicidal risk.
• Perform blood draws and manage IV therapy as required.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in Epic.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, physicians, behavioral health professionals, technicians, and interdisciplinary care teams.
• Follow all safety, infection control, and patient care policies.
• Float to other units within scope of practice when needed.
• May be floated to Med/Surg units as helping hands, based on operational needs.
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and staff.

Required Qualifications

• Active and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Minimum 2+ years of nursing experience.
• Previous Psychiatric Nursing/Gero-Psych experience preferred.
• Recent Epic experience within the last 1 year is required.
• Resume must clearly mention:
  • Epic experience
  • Where Epic was most recently used
• Must have an accredited nursing degree through ACEN or CCNE.
• Must be comfortable with:
  • Geriatric psychiatric patient care
  • Blood draws
  • IV management
  • Floating within scope of practice

Required Certifications

• BLS
• CPI Blue Card – Crisis Prevention Institute
• CPI certification must meet the required non-crisis intervention criteria.

Important Submission Requirements

• RTO must be submitted at the time of submission.
• No RTO will be accepted during the first two weeks of the assignment.
• Maximum 7 days of RTO will be accepted.
• Candidates requesting more than 7 days of RTO will be automatically rejected.
• Block schedule requests will not be accepted.
• Candidates must provide their available dates and times for an interview at the time of submission.
• Interviews are required for consideration.
• Candidates must be willing to float as needed within their scope of practice.

Required Compliance & Credentialing

Selected candidates will be required to complete facility-specific credentialing and compliance requirements, which may include:

• Summa Competency Exam
• Summa Skills Checklist
• Summa Pharmacology Exam
• Summa Specialty Exam
• Summa Core Competencies
• Nursys Verification
• License/Certificate Verification
• Fit Test
• Health Statement
• Drug Screen
• Background Check
• Education Verification
• OIG and EPLS Searches
• COVID-19 and other required immunization documentation
• TB Screening
• MMR
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella
• Tdap
• Influenza Vaccine
• Annual TB Questionnaire
• Summa RN Submission Packet
• Summa Work Order Confirmation

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced, compassionate, and safety-focused Psychiatric RN with strong geriatric behavioral health experience. The nurse must be confident managing patients with complex psychiatric and medical needs, comfortable working night shifts, and flexible enough to float based on facility requirements.
 At Encode, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Our flexible work arrangements and emphasis on work-life balance ensure that our employees can achieve their professional goals while maintaining a healthy personal life. Additionally, we provide opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement, including professional development programs and access to cutting-edge technologies.

As a cleared facility, we have a particular need for individuals with active Secret or Top Secret clearances. Your expertise and security clearance would be invaluable in supporting our mission-critical projects and ensuring the highest standards of security and compliance.

We would love to discuss how your experience and skills align with our needs and explore potential opportunities with Encode. If you are interested in learning more, please reply to this email with your updated resume and a convenient time for a brief conversation.

Thank you for considering this opportunity. We look forward to the possibility of working together and contributing to your professional journey