Registered Nurse (RN) - Behavioral Health

Join Our Behavioral Health Team

The Behavioral Health RN serves as the leader of the designated care team during their assigned shift and plays a critical role in providing safe, patient-centered care to individuals with behavioral health needs and concurrent medical conditions.

The RN serves as a primary care provider for high-risk patients, coordinates care across the interdisciplinary team, and advocates for patients throughout their treatment and recovery journey.

Position Summary

The registered nurse is the leader of the designated team on a designated shift. They are the primary care provider for high-risk patients and those with concurrent medical diagnoses. Each shift the nurse reviews the patient roster and assigns case management responsibilities to unit staff based upon patient needs and employee skills. The nurse assures that all required documentation has been submitted timely and in accordance with unit protocol. They complete nursing assessments, nursing care plans and discharge summaries. In addition to passing medications and educating patients of effects and side-effects, maintains progress notes including patient responses to medications given, assessments of pain and medical acuity and ongoing changes in mood or behavior.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Completes assessments and treatment plans, integrates objective and subjective data from medical records, face-to-face interviews, primary care provider reports, employee feedback, and family and significant other reports.
2. Coordinates with the attending psychiatrist, primary care physician and advanced practice nurse and other staff to continually update the treatment plan.
3. Develops a nursing plan of care with the patient, family (if applicable) and the treatment team.
4. Supports patient/family in implementing the plan of care by assisting with identification of strengths and barriers to implementing problem solving.
5. Teaches and coaches patient/family about the disease process, medications and evidence-based self-management strategies. Reinforces positive steps when implementing self-management strategies. Reinforces reasons and the need for health promotion activities.
6. Completes medication reconciliation. Provides accurate information to providers during transitions of care.
7. Refers to appropriate disease specific organizations, self-help groups, and other community services.
8. Coordinates longitudinal health and community services.
9. Proactively monitors patients on a regular basis. Evaluates and documents progress of those patients on the assigned caseload.
10. Re-assesses patients each shift and revises the plan of care in accordance with stated and observed needs. Adjusts plan of care based on status, information from the team members and patient preferences.
11. Serves as a conduit for continual communication among team members using multiple formats.
12. Advocates for the patient's needs and requirements.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Associate's degree in Nursing or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred.

Licensure & Certification

• Current Illinois Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification required within six (6) months of hire.
• National behavioral health or specialty certification preferred.

Candidates must maintain required licensure and certifications throughout employment and comply with applicable renewal and reporting requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of nursing principles, behavioral health care, and patient-centered care practices.
• Strong assessment, clinical judgment, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to recognize changes in patient mood, behavior, medical acuity, and overall condition.
• Strong medication administration and patient education skills.
• Ability to coordinate care and effectively communicate with interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Ability to prioritize care based on patient acuity and changing needs.
• Ability to advocate effectively for patients and their families.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and therapeutic relationships in a behavioral health setting.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.

Schedule

This position may be available in full-time, part-time, or PRN/Registry employment statuses. Available shifts may include day and night shifts, based on departmental needs.

Flexibility may be required based on patient care and operational needs.

Compensation

Pay Range: $37 - $50 per hour

The pay range represents the budgeted compensation range for this position. Final offers may vary based on job-related factors, including qualifications, education, experience, skill set, internal equity, applicable policies, and other factors permitted by law.

Join Our Team

If you are a dedicated RN who is passionate about behavioral health, patient advocacy, care coordination, and improving outcomes for individuals with complex healthcare needs, we invite you to apply.