Mental Health/Psychiatric Nurse (Licensed RN)

1st and 2nd Shift Available

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hope for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 3,200 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued.

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team.

What you’ll do at DBH

As a Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare Mental Health/Psychiatric RN you will:

• Be responsible for maintaining a therapeutic milieu that is safe and focused on delivering quality patient care
• Serve a fundamental role as an interdisciplinary treatment team member for psychiatric patients creating and executing their treatment plans
• Observe, evaluate, and record patient behavior, condition, & response to medication and treatment

• Will serve as charge nurse, initiate and direct psychiatric and nursing care for patients on your unit and provide support and direction for nursing staff while promoting a positive and safe environment for recovery

• Contributes vital input on records, plans, and reports
• Facilitate patient group activities

This is an hourly position covered by the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of 13 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range ScheduleThis position is located within our Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare campus at 2200 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 432232200 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223.

Additional Salary / Appointment Information:

• Additional $1.50 per hour shift differential for 2nd and 3rd shift
• Additional 10% pay Supplement ($3.50 per hour) for hours worked 3:00 pm – 7:00 am
• Additional hourly retention supplements available for educational degrees, professional certifications, and service time at COBH (up to 15%
• Yearly cost of living increases per the 1199 contract
• Periodic step increases, the first of which is awarded after 180 days of employment

• Additional longevity supplement after 5 years of service

Normal working hours are 5 8-hour shifts a week for full-time. All shifts include an every other weekend rotation. Full-time first and second shifts currently available. First shift hours are 6:30am-3pm, second shift hours are 2:30pm-11pm.

What is in it for you

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website!

Our benefits package includes

• Health insurance upon hire Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans. For full-time employees, the State of Ohio pays 85% of medical coverage premiums and for part-time employees the state pays 50%. Health insurance has low-cost deductibles (Single $400 per year, Family $800 per year)!
• Free dental & vision and basic life insurance for union members during eligibility period
• Up to $1000 in wellness incentives annually for employee and $350 for spouse
• Up to 80 hours of vacation advancement upon hire; pro-rated for part-time positions.
• Guaranteed 11 paid holidays!
• Paid Time Off – vacation, personal, and sick leave included
• Yearly Paid Time Off Cash Out option
• Childbirth/Adoption Leave
• Up to $3000 annually for educational assistance, professional development, and continuing education opportunities

• RNs working here at COBH are eligible for the following loan forgiveness and loan repayment programs: Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, STAR Loan Repayment Program

• Ohio Public Employees Retirement System: the state of Ohio contributes 14%! Visit website for more information OPERS
• Voluntary 457(b) retirement savings plan, visit Ohio Deferred Compensation for more information
• Yearly cost of living increases on July 1st per the 1199 contract
• Earn periodic step increases (the first one is earned after your first 180-days of employment!)
• COBH service supplements awarded after 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years of service!
• State longevity supplements awarded yearly. Earned yearly starting with 5 years of service.

You also need to know:

• ALL positions must be able to complete a 3-week (business days Monday-Friday) 7:30am-4pm full time orientation for first three weeks of employment, even if doing a part-time position
• May work weekends and holidays; may be exposed to communicable diseases and unpredictable patient behavior
• Training and development required to remain in the classification after employment
• Biennial renewal of licensure as registered nurse required

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Requires current license as registered nurse in state of Ohio as issued by Board of Nursing per Section 4723.03 of Revised Code.

Job Skills: Nursing

*Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:

All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, active disciplinary record, and work record.

Additional Qualifications:

Primary Job Skill Nursing
Technical Skills: Medication Management, Mental Health, Therapeutical Services
Professional Skills: Critical Thinking, Cultural Awareness, Building Trust, Coaching, Collaboration, Motivating Others, Decision Making, Delegation, Emotional Intelligence, Adaptability, Attention to Detail, Priority Setting

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. Ohio DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

Application Procedures

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO Program Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.