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RN Staff Nurse - Psychiatric Emergency Services
Company : Legacy Health
Location : Portland, OR, 97232-2003
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Overview
The Legacy nursing philosophy focuses on patients and their families. Our nurses embody this philosophy in everything they do, as advocates, communicators, problem-solvers and caregivers. Their expertise is sought after and respected by our health care team. In short, they are the face of wellness at Legacy. Does this sound like an environment in which you could thrive? If so, we invite you to consider this opportunity.
Unity is founded on a mission of trauma-informed care and destigmatizing behavioral health diagnoses. Unity nurses strive to innovate and elevate behavioral health nursing through holistic treatment of our patients. Unity nurses apply their behavioral health specialty through high-level critical thinking, individualized patient care plans, early interventions, specialized assessments, and de-escalation and motivational interviewing techniques. Unity nurses maintain their physical health skills as part of our holistic treatment including attending to physical health needs such as assessment, wound care, and phlebotomy. We welcome nurses from all backgrounds to join our team who share our values of inclusion, kindness, and excellence and a heart for the behavioral health population!
As Oregon’s first and only Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) we provide emergent care to people experiencing a behavioral health crisis. For our patients, the PES is often the first step to recovery and treatment. Our patients are highly acute and often require varied and intensive interventions to start stabilization. Integral to emergency services with 24/7 nursing, care management, and provider coverage, the nursing work is fast-paced and dynamic. Our nurses thrive in working with our community’s most vulnerable individuals.
Responsibilities
Responsible for patient care within an assigned department/unit and participates as a member of the health care team in cooperation with and under the direction of the clinical manager or designee as defined by the relevant Standards and Scope of Practice for the Registered Nurse. The RN Staff Nurse assesses, analyzes, plans, implements and evaluates patient care following established patient care standards for Legacy Health System including those for patient assessment and transfer.
Qualifications
Education:
As required by licensure. BSN or degree in progress strongly preferred. BSN may be required for specific assignments; experienced RNs without a BSN may be hired based on clinical experience with approval of the site CNO.
Experience:
One-year registered nursing experience or completion of either the Legacy Health RN Residency program or a nursing program that is equivalent in content, curriculum and duration. Additional clinical experience requirements may vary dependent upon the specific department in which the position is utilized.
Knowledge/Skills:
Demonstrated ability of positive interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, patients, families, physicians and the community. Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.
Licensure
Current applicable state RN license required. AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers.
Pay Range
USD $54.37 - USD $81.21 /Hr.Our Commitment to Health and Equal Opportunity
Our Legacy is good for health for Our People, Our Patients, Our Communities, Our World. Above all, we will do the right thing.
If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and succeed.
Legacy Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
To learn more about our employee benefits click here: www.legacyhealth.org/For-Health-Professionals/careers/benefiting-you
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Frequently asked questions
In Portland's fast-paced psychiatric emergency setting, nurses must combine trauma-informed care with quick critical thinking. They employ de-escalation and motivational interviewing alongside physical health assessments, ensuring patients in acute behavioral crises receive individualized stabilization tailored to this region's diverse community needs.
While a current Oregon RN license is essential, psychiatric nurses in Portland often benefit from training in trauma-informed care and behavioral health specialties. Certifications in crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, or psychiatric nursing can enhance competence and align with local care philosophies emphasizing holistic patient treatment.
These nurses juggle rapid assessment, individualized care planning, and physical health tasks like wound care and phlebotomy, all within an emergency psychiatric context. The role demands balancing acute mental health crises with physical wellness, requiring adaptability and specialized behavioral interventions uncommon in general nursing settings.
Portland shows a growing demand for psychiatric nurses due to increased behavioral health awareness. Legacy Health's specialized PES role attracts candidates with both clinical expertise and trauma-informed skills, making the competition moderate but favoring nurses who demonstrate holistic care experience and community-oriented approaches.
Psychiatric emergency nurses in Portland typically earn between $54 and $81 per hour, reflecting the high acuity and specialized skills required. Legacy Health's RN Staff Nurse role aligns with this range, offering competitive pay that factors in the demanding nature of psychiatric emergency services and local cost-of-living considerations.
Legacy Health fosters growth through trauma-informed care training, residency programs, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Nurses gain exposure to complex behavioral health cases in a supportive environment that encourages innovation, inclusivity, and skill enhancement tailored for psychiatric emergency nursing in Portland.
They often encounter patients in acute crisis requiring swift stabilization amidst socio-economic diversity and stigma-related barriers. Legacy nurses must navigate intense emotional environments, manage physical and psychiatric needs simultaneously, and advocate for vulnerable individuals within a system focused on compassionate, trauma-informed care.
These nurses act as critical communicators and caregivers collaborating closely with physicians, care managers, and mental health specialists. Their contributions ensure comprehensive treatment plans that address both psychiatric and physical health, enhancing patient outcomes through coordinated, team-based emergency care strategies.
Starting in this specialized role opens doors to advanced psychiatric nursing roles, leadership positions, or consultant opportunities. The blend of emergency care experience and behavioral health expertise at Legacy Health equips nurses with unique skills attractive for diverse mental health nursing careers both locally and beyond.