Mental Health Rn Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Initial Posting Date:
08/04/2026
Application Deadline:
08/18/2026
Agency:
Oregon Health Authority
Salary Range:
8,443.00 - 11,149.00
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Mental Health Registered Nurse - Oregon State Hospital Salem Campus
Job Description:
Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! - Mental Health Registered Nurse (Salem Campus)
Mental Health Registered Nurses (MHRNs) utilize a holistic, biopsychosocial approach and therapeutic relationships to address complex mental health needs. Operating within a collaborative, interdisciplinary team, MHRNs practice in strict accordance with the Oregon Nurse Practice Act, ANA standards, and hospital regulations.
Core Responsibilities:

• Care Delivery: Utilize the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to foster a safe, healing environment for patients.
• Clinical Leadership: Provide direct, on-shift oversight of clinical work performed by LPNs, and Mental Health Techs (MHTs).
• Staff Mentorship: Supervise care in a way that actively supports the professional growth and development of the nursing support team

Program: Hospital Wide High Acuity Float Pool (Salem)
Shifts Available:
Thursday - Sunday working NOC 10pm-8am
Thursday - Sunday working day 6:30am-5pm
Working Conditions - This position provides care to patients who may present a danger to themselves or others. Work may involve exposure to infectious disease, noise, bodily fluids, hazardous medications, behavioral interventions, and manual or mechanical restraints. Employees must be able to frequently move up to 20 pounds, occasionally move up to 60 pounds vertically, and perform prolonged standing, bending, twisting, and squatting. Schedules may change with little notice and may include overtime or double shifts. Occasional driving or accompanying patients in vehicles may also be required.
For a full review of the position description, please click here
If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.
What We Are Looking For
Minimum Qualifications: These qualifications must be reflected in your application for consideration.

• Must possess and maintain a valid and unencumbered Oregon Professional Registered Nurse license during the entire length of their employment.

Special Requirement:
These positions in the Hospital Wide High Acuity Float Pool will care for our highest acuity patient population and require additional experience and qualifications beyond the minimum requirements. Applicants should demonstrate the following in their application:
Psychiatric Nursing: 2+ years of RN experience providing direct patient care in a high-acuity, in-patient psychiatric setting (including complex psychiatric disorders, behavioral challenges, and acute mental health crises).
Desired Attributes:
The following are desired attributes that we have identified as key to success for this role at OHA. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you have any of these, please let us know in your application.
Clinical Experience

• Care Planning: Experience completing admission and periodic nursing assessments to develop individualized care plans that integrate with the patient's overall treatment.
• Emergency Response: Proven ability to take responsibility, initiate, and coordinate appropriate actions during actual or potential medical and psychiatric emergencies.

Leadership & Management Skills

• Team Coordination: Experience directing patient care, including safely delegating and supervising tasks to ancillary nursing staff within their scope of practice.
• Crisis & Milieu Management: Strong background in managing therapeutic environments (milieu management), conflict resolution, and crisis de-escalation.
• Operational Leadership: Strong general leadership skills with the ability to successfully juggle multiple job responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Requirements of the MHRN position:

• If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check, and the information shall be shared with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.
• Candidates who are offered employment at the Oregon State Hospital must satisfactorily pass a pre-employment drug test.

The Nursing Department may be piloting a 12-hour shift scheduling. The pilot is designed to improve staffing coverage, reduce the need for mandatory overtime, and strengthen safe continuity of patient care. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Application Guidance
Your candidate profile and application are your opportunity to showcase your skills and interest in this role. Submissions will be reviewed for clarity, consistency, and communication skills, and for alignment with the guidance provided in the below:
Submission Requirements:

• At the time of application, ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and/or attach your current resume that clearly outlines your education and work experience relevant to this position.
• Supplemental Questions - Answer all supplemental questions completely and accurately.
• Final Check! - Before submitting, confirm that all required materials are included, and your Workday Job History is current. The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.

How to Apply:

• External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage or click the "Apply" tab above to submit your application, following all submission requirements.
• Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login, following all submission requirements.

After You Apply:

• Complete any pending tasks in Workday under "My Applications" prior to the application deadline.
• Check your email (including junk folder) and Workday inbox regularly for updates on your application.

Reminders:

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. To protect your information and ensure correct processing, please follow the instructions for submitting your Veterans' Preference documentation.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline.

About the Team & Benefits of Joining
We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from.
If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• This announcement is for permanent, full-time, Mental Health Registered Nurse positions located in Salem, Oregon (2600 Center St. NE). These positions are represented by These positions are represented by AFSCME.
• The Oregon State Hospital is a 24/7 facility, that is open on holidays.
• This position is 100% on site. "Review Section 4: Working Conditions" in the position description (linked above) for more information.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page.
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization. If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position.
• We evaluate candidates based on their own skills and experience. Unless explicitly approved, outside resources - including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools - are not permitted during assessments or interviews. Use of unauthorized resources will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

Contact Information
Recruiter: Jenny Templin
Email: JennyTemplin@oha,oregon.gov
Phone (text friendly): 971-372-8147
Accommodation Requests (ADA): OHA provides reasonable accommodations under the ADA, which may include alternative formats of materials or language support. If you need an accommodation to apply for this position or participate in the selection process, please contact the recruiter listed above.
Helpful Links & Resources
How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources | What You Need to Know to Get the Job
The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class - including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation - and does not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.
OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.