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Per Diem Psychiatric Rn Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

RN/LPN

Portland, OR · On-site

$29 - $39.25/hr

... psychiatric management of the patient in coordination with the attending providers. The Nurse is ... Per diem, Evening and overnight shift availability preferred with weekends highly desired #LI ...

RN/LPN

Portland, OR · On-site

$28 - $38/hr

... psychiatric management of the patient in coordination with the attending providers. The Nurse is ... Per diem, Evening and overnight shift availability preferred with weekends highly desired #LI ...

Per Diem House Supervisor

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$64.55 - $96.83/hr

Description Per Diem / Relief | Vancouver, Washington | PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Compensation: $64.55 - $96.83 per hour Are you an experienced Registered Nurse who thrives in a leadership ...

Per Diem House Supervisor

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$64.55 - $96.83/hr

Per Diem / Relief | Vancouver, Washington | PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Compensation: $64.55 - $96.83 per hour Are you an experienced Registered Nurse who thrives in a leadership role and is ...

Showing results 21-40

Per Diem Psychiatric Rn information

See Portland, OR salary details

$1.2K

$2.2K

$3.1K

How much do per diem psychiatric rn jobs pay per week?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average weekly pay for per diem psychiatric rn in Portland, OR is $2,180.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,834.62 and $2,519.23 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a per diem psychiatric RN?

A Per Diem Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) is a licensed nurse who works on an as-needed or on-call basis in mental health settings such as hospitals, clinics, or psychiatric facilities. Instead of having a fixed schedule, per diem nurses fill in for staff shortages, cover busy shifts, or help with temporary increases in patient volume. Their responsibilities include assessing patients’ mental health, administering medications, providing therapeutic interventions, and collaborating with the healthcare team. This role offers flexibility and often pays a higher hourly wage compared to full-time positions, but typically does not provide benefits like health insurance or paid time off.

How does a per diem psychiatric RN typically integrate with full-time staff and multidisciplinary teams in a mental health facility?

As a Per Diem Psychiatric RN, you will often collaborate closely with full-time nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists. While you may not have a fixed schedule, strong communication skills are key to quickly understanding patient needs and care plans during each shift. You'll be expected to adapt to different team dynamics and contribute valuable insights, ensuring continuity of care for patients. Flexibility and the ability to work independently are important, as you'll frequently acclimate to new units or patient populations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a per diem psychiatric RN, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Per Diem Psychiatric RN, you need a valid RN license, psychiatric nursing experience, and a strong understanding of mental health disorders and crisis intervention. Familiarity with EHR systems, psychiatric assessment tools, and de-escalation techniques is typically required. Excellent communication, flexibility, and emotional resilience are critical soft skills for engaging with patients and adapting to varying shift assignments. These skills ensure safe, effective patient care and help manage the unique challenges of psychiatric settings on a flexible, per diem basis.

What is the difference between Per Diem Psychiatric Rn vs Staff Psychiatric Nurse?

AspectPer Diem Psychiatric RnStaff Psychiatric Nurse
CertificationsRN license, possibly specialized in psychiatric careRN license, often with psychiatric certification
Work EnvironmentVaries; hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities, on a per-diem basisFull-time or part-time in psychiatric units or mental health settings
Employment TypePer diem, flexible schedulingTypically salaried or hourly, with scheduled shifts
Job FocusProviding psychiatric nursing care on an as-needed basisProviding ongoing psychiatric nursing care and patient management

Per Diem Psychiatric Rns work on a flexible, as-needed basis, often filling in for staff shortages or covering shifts. Staff Psychiatric Nurses usually have a regular schedule, providing consistent patient care. Both roles require RN licensure and psychiatric knowledge, but differ mainly in employment structure and scheduling.

Infographic showing various Per Diem Psychiatric Rn job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% As Needed, 48% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 15% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,370 per year, or $54.5 per hour.

Clinical Associate - Unity PES/Inpatient Per Diem APP

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, OR

Part-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Oregon Health & Science University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

170th of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department Overview

About OHSULink www.ohsu.eduOHSU's singular focus on improving health starts with Oregonians and has global impact. We are the only academic health center in Oregon, but we're also nationally distinct as a university dedicated solely to advancing health sciences. This allows us to concentrate resources on research to prevent and cure disease, on education that prepares physicians, dentists, nurses and other health professionals to succeed in an evolving health care environment, and on patient care that incorporates the latest knowledge and discoveries. We have 18,000 employees and secure competitive research funding of more than $400 million a year. As a public organization, we provide community outreach and services for Oregon's most vulnerable populations. OHSU's stated mission to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation and leadership in health care, education and research.

About The Department of PsychiatryLink https://www.ohsu.edu/school-of-medicine/psychiatry

The fundamental purpose of OHSU and The Department of Psychiatry is to improve well-being.

The OHSU Department of Psychiatry is part of the OHSU Brain Institute, and focuses on providing excellent clinical treatment to our patients, leading innovative research, and offering hands-on training for the next generation of psychiatrists. Our specialists care for people of every culture and background and it is our mission to value and show appreciation for diversity, showing respect for all people who we treat, teach, and serve.

About Unity Center

Link https://unityhealthcenter.org/

Unity Center for Behavioral Health is a 24-hour behavioral and mental health services center located in the greater Portland metropolitan area. We provide immediate psychiatric care and a path to stabilization and recovery for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Our treatment model is based in trauma informed care principles and is provided by multiple disciplines including psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, social work, counseling and therapy, and peers. Unity Center offers inpatient mental health treatment to adults and adolescents ages 9 to 17. The Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES) offers emergency services and crisis stabilization for adults aged 18 and older, including a new team that specializes in patients suffering from psychiatric and comorbid substance use disorders.

Function/Duties of Position

The Unity Center for Behavioral Health Psychiatric Emergency Service/In Patient Per Diem APP delivers care aligned with a defined scope of practice in the psychiatric emergency and inpatient services, with work expectations operationalized through departmental workflows, productivity standards, and performance expectations consistent with the CBA and institutional policies.

This role is structured to meet contract-defined work expectations of 0 annual sessions, inclusive of 24/7 coverage, aligned with the clinical coverage model and patient care needs of the service.

The Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES)/Inpatient Per Diem APP will participate in departmental scheduling processes, including weekends, holidays, and call responsibilities, with scheduling practices aligned to contract provisions, equitable distribution of coverage, and maintenance of safe, consistent clinical operations.

Clinical Activities:

  • Patient population: Adult emergency mental health services, providing immediate psychiatric care including assessments, treatment planning, and care coordination.
  • Practice area: Emergency services, evening support of inpatient units, inpatient services, independent practice
  • Clinical coverage requirement: 24/7, nights, weekends, holidays, call service
  • Department specific activities: Completing all required charting, trainings, and peer review tasks

All APPs are expected to support the clinical, education, and research mission of OHSU through routine clinical care that includes working with students, trainees, and patients participating in research, consistent with their role, scope of practice, and applicable contract and institutional policies.

Required Qualifications
  • Successful completion of a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program.
  • Two years of experience as a practicing PMHNP. 
    • On a case by case basis individual clinically relevant psychiatric nursing background and experience may be considered.
  • Current RN and APRN NP licensure with the Oregon Board of Nursing.
  • Current national ANCC Certification in the area of specialization.
  • Current BLS or ACLS Certification as indicated for the position.
  • DEA Certification.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.
  • Professionalism required.
  • Regular, consistent attendance required.
Additional Details

***Apply here online. Upload cover letter and resume.  Please be sure to include months and years (MM/YYYY format) to the resume for jobs/work experience.***

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center.

In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research.  We also train the next generation of health care professionals.  As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome.

OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations.  We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu

Employment Type: PART_TIME

What Oregon Health & Science University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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Oregon Health & Science University logo

About Oregon Health & Science University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a distinguished institution under the industry of higher education and healthcare, specifically in the field of medical science. Based in Portland, Oregon, US, it maintains a reputation for promoting research, teaching, patient care, and outreach. Established in 1887, OHSU has continually sought to redefine the parameters of healthcare delivery and biomedical discovery through its expansive catalog of programs and initiatives. A galvanizing mission drives OHSU: to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1887