Psych
Behavioral Health Nurse – 13-Week Contract
Position Overview
The facility seeks an experienced Behavioral Health Nurse for a 13-week assignment in an inpatient psychiatric unit serving adults and geriatrics. This is a day shift role (7:00 AM–7:00 PM) working three 12-hour shifts per week.
Clinical Scope
You'll provide direct patient care to individuals with diagnoses including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, psychotic and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, substance use, trauma-related conditions, and personality disorders. You'll manage a caseload of six patients, perform frequent rounds (every 15 minutes), and implement de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques. Responsibilities include medication administration, IV insertion and maintenance, seclusion protocols, physical hold procedures, and suicidal behavior monitoring.
Requirements
- Current, active RN license in Virginia (required at time of submission)
- Minimum 2 years of experience in behavioral health
- BLS and MOAB certifications
- Charge nurse experience preferred
- Strong knowledge of psychiatric medications (antianxiety agents, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, sedatives/analgesics)
- Competency with restraint and ligature-cutter protocols
Key Details
- 13-week contract; start date October 5, 2026
- Weekend coverage required (approximately 8 weekend shifts over the contract)
- Smoke/nicotine-free facility
- COVID-19 and flu vaccination required
- 24-hour orientation; up to 7 hours of mandatory facility modules
- Interdisciplinary support includes social services, rapid response, and pharmacy
- Time-off requests must be minimal and approved at manager discretion
To Apply
Active VA license required at submission. Ensure your availability and start date are current in your profile.