Mental Health Registered Nurse - Oregon State Hospital Salem Campus

Initial Posting Date:

07/08/2026

Application Deadline:

07/15/2026

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:

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.

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! – Mental Health Registered Nurse (Salem Campus)

You will provide nursing care to individuals currently residing in the Oregon State Hospital, which is a forensic psychiatric facility. You will administer medications as ordered by the provider, develop nursing plans of care, complete assessments, and respond to emergent psychiatric situations that could potentially be dangerous. Additionally, you will monitor staff work assignments, and supervise staff to provide therapeutic, safe, and secure milieu.

For a full review of the position description, please click here.

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.

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.

• Experience working in mental health
• Experience in conflict and crisis management
• Strong leadership skills
• Experience in milieu management
• Ability to manage multiple job responsibilities at one time

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.

This posting will fill the following shift:

Unit: Lighthouse 1 (male patient population)

Program: Harbors

Shift: Thursday - Sunday | 12:30pm - 11:00pm

Days off: Mon/Tue/Wed

Note: There is potential to implement 12-hour shifts within the next few months, and the shift schedule and days off may be subject to change.

Harbors Program serves a wide variety of some of our most acute patients. There is a fast turnaround of patients as they come to this part of the hospital typically for stabilization, admission or due to not being able to have a roommate. The building is a more hardened environment with higher staffing ratios due to the acuity. The demand is high for RNs to utilize critical thinking skills and have good time management skills. There are more admissions and restrictive events that tend to happen in this area. There is a strong sense of team on these units but due to the fast-paced environment there can be a steep learning curve for new staff. There is good collaboration with different disciplines and more support that can be provided to the units.

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 a permanent, full-time, Mental Health Registered Nurse position located in Salem, Oregon (2600 Center St. NE). This position is 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.