Travel RN – Psychiatric / Behavioral Health

Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Facility: McKennan Hospital – Behavioral Health Services

Assignment Dates: February 16, 2026 – May 17, 2026

Duration: 13 Weeks

Schedule: 36 Hours per week, Rotating shifts

Position Status: Open

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Travel Registered Nurse specializing in Psychiatric and Behavioral Health for a 13-week contract assignment at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This position offers an opportunity to provide critical care to adult patients in a specialized behavioral health unit focusing on alcohol withdrawal, chemical dependency, and involuntary status patients. The ideal candidate will have strong crisis intervention skills, experience managing complex behavioral health scenarios, and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, rotating schedule environment.

Unit Overview

Department: Behavioral Health Services
Bed Count: 11–20 beds
Patient Ratio: 1:10
Float Requirement: None
Electronic Health Record: Meditech
Scrub Colors: Black, Grey, or Avera Green

Patient Population

This unit serves adults only with a primary focus on:

Alcohol Withdrawal management
Chemical Dependency and detoxification
Involuntary Status patients requiring specialized behavioral health intervention

Clinical Responsibilities

As a Travel RN in this role, you will be responsible for:

Managing and monitoring patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Providing behavioral crisis intervention and de-escalation using CPI techniques
Delivering comprehensive care to chemical dependency and detox patients
Performing IV insertion and managing intravenous therapies
Conducting lab draws and processing specimens
Administering medications safely and accurately
Implementing CPI-based de-escalation strategies during behavioral crises
Documenting patient care comprehensively in Meditech EHR system
Collaborating with interdisciplinary team members to optimize patient outcomes
Maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and staff

Required Qualifications

Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in South Dakota or compact state license
Active CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) Certification at time of submission
Active AHA BLS (Basic Life Support) Certification
Minimum 1-2 years of recent inpatient behavioral health nursing experience
Experience with alcohol withdrawal and detoxification workflows
Proficiency in Meditech EHR system or ability to learn quickly
Strong assessment and critical thinking skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience managing involuntary status patients in psychiatric settings
Demonstrated competency in 1:10 nurse-to-patient ratio environments
Previous travel nursing experience
ACLS certification
Additional behavioral health certifications (PMH-BC, etc.)
Experience with dual diagnosis patients

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Recent inpatient behavioral health experience with measurable outcomes
Proven experience with alcohol withdrawal and detox patient management
Confidence and competence working in higher-ratio (1:10) care settings
Strong documentation skills with attention to detail in Meditech
Ability to manage and provide compassionate care to involuntary status patients
Excellent communication and de-escalation skills
Flexibility and adaptability in rotating shift environments

Schedule

This is a 36-hour per week rotating shift assignment over 13 weeks. Overtime opportunities are available for hours worked beyond 40 hours per week.

Compensation and Benefits

Weekly Compensation (based on 36 hours):

Weekly Gross Pay: $2,506
Weekly Taxable: $1,260
Weekly Non-Taxable (stipends): $1,246
Hourly Taxable Rate (up to 40 hours): $35.00/hour
Overtime Rate (40+ hours): $52.50/hour
Overtime Available: Yes

Additional Benefits:

Comprehensive travel nursing support
Housing assistance or stipend
Travel reimbursement options
Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
401(k) retirement savings plan
Licensure and certification reimbursement
Dedicated recruiter support throughout assignment

Important Facility Policies

Avera 2-shift cancellation policy applies
Nurse must meet cancellation threshold requirements before guaranteed hours policy applies
Compliance with all facility-specific protocols and procedures required

How to Apply

If you are a qualified Registered Nurse with behavioral health experience ready to make an impact in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, we encourage you to apply today. Complete your application through MedicalStaff.ai and ensure all required certifications (CPI and BLS) are current and uploaded at the time of submission. Our recruitment team will review your application and contact you promptly to discuss this exciting travel nursing opportunity.

MedicalStaff.ai is committed to connecting healthcare professionals with meaningful career opportunities. Apply now to begin your next travel nursing adventure!