Job Description

BH Link Psychiatric Nurse Manager (Full Time)

Position Summary

The BH Link Nurse Manager provides clinical and operational leadership for a 24/7 behavioral health crisis stabilization program. This role oversees nursing staff, ensures safe and effective patient care, maintains regulatory compliance, and supports interdisciplinary collaboration. The Nurse Manager balances administrative responsibilities with hands-on clinical leadership, including floor coverage, staff supervision, scheduling, and participation in recruitment and professional development initiatives.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Floor Coverage

The BH Link Nurse Manager provides direct clinical coverage as needed to ensure safe, continuous, and high-quality care within a 24/7 crisis stabilization program.

• Deliver hands-on nursing care during high census, staffing shortages, or increased acuity, including assessments, medication administration, and clinical monitoring.
• Support triage and crisis response efforts, including management of complex or high-risk cases.
• Provide real-time clinical supervision, ensuring adherence to documentation, medication safety, and evidence-based practice standards.
• Monitor unit flow, staffing coverage, and safety protocols; respond to emergencies and participate in incident review as required.
• Maintain competency to function as a direct care RN while balancing administrative leadership responsibilities.

Scheduling & Workforce Coordination

Ensure 24/7 nursing coverage by developing schedules and managing staffing ratios.

Collaborate with managers to coordinate cross-coverage, PTO, and contingency staffing.

Manage per diem/float staff to address vacancies, call-outs, and high-demand periods.

Participate in workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and equitable shift distribution.

Recruitment & Interview Responsibilities

Collaborate with HR and leadership to identify staffing needs and screen candidates for clinical competence and cultural fit.

Conduct structured interviews and participate in panel evaluations for nursing and interdisciplinary roles.

Provide hiring recommendations and support onboarding, orientation, and mentorship of new staff.

Contribute to workforce development and succession planning.

Supervision Responsibilities

Provide clinical and administrative oversight to ensure high-quality, compliant care in a 24/7 crisis environment.

Review documentation, guide staff on complex cases, and ensure adherence to scope-of-practice and regulatory standards.

Conduct performance evaluations, set expectations, and address performance or conduct issues.

Support onboarding, mentorship, professional development, and leadership growth.

Oversee licensure, certifications, infection control, medication safety, and maintain supervision records for compliance.

Desired Skills:

• Empathic and client-centered in approach.
• Able to model and provide effective education relative to medical/clinical skills and crisis practices.
• Able to quickly and effectively develop positive rapport with clients and other professionals.
• Ability to assess medical and psychiatric needs of all clients admitted to the BH Link.
• Excellent clinical documentation skills.
• Able to apply learned verbal de-escalation techniques with clients in crisis.
• Works well in a team setting and communicates effectively with other professionals.
• Proactive and engaged when working with clients and co-workers.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Multilingual professionals are encouraged to apply (and are reimbursed accordingly).

Experience and Education:

• RN required.
• Current license to practice in Rhode Island.
• Experience and interest in serving clients with psychiatric and/or substance disorders.
• 3 years' experience working in a healthcare setting.
• Previous experience in supervisory role preferred.
• QMHP training provided/required within the first quarter of onboarding.