Behavioral Health Registered Nurse - Psych Unit

Job Summary and Responsibilities

Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health (Psych Unit)

As our Behavioral Health (Psych) Unit Registered Nurse, you will help patients experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions receive compassionate, evidence-based care in a supportive and therapeutic environment. Every day you will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individual patient care, focusing on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, while maintaining a safe and structured setting. You will be expected to supervise care according to policies, procedures, and the State Nurse Practice Act. To be successful in this role, you must be an empathetic and skilled caregiver, adept at therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, and promoting a healing milieu while adhering to established standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care for adult patients with acute and chronic mental health disorders, conducting thorough mental status examinations, risk assessments (e.g., suicide, self-harm, aggression), and identifying behavioral patterns.
• Implement and manage individualized care plans, focusing on medication administration for psychotropic agents, managing side effects, facilitating therapeutic groups, and providing psychoeducation to patients and families.
• Perform ongoing assessments of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive status, recognizing subtle changes, de-escalating crises, and intervening appropriately to ensure patient and staff safety.
• Collaborate effectively with psychiatrists, social workers, therapists, case managers, and other behavioral health specialists to ensure an integrated and holistic approach to patient treatment and discharge planning.
• Engage patients in therapeutic communication techniques, motivational interviewing, and crisis intervention strategies to build rapport, encourage self-expression, and empower patients in their recovery journey.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all patient assessments, behaviors, interventions, medications, and responses, ensuring compliance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements specific to mental health care.

THIS JOB OFFERS BOTH AN INCENTIVE AND RELOCATION: We are offering a $25,000 Sign-On Bonus in addition to relocation to new hires who meet the eligibility requirements. 

Union Work Agreement:

FTE Status: Full Time - 0.9 ; 72 hours per pay period

Shift Type/Length: Variable Shift/ 2 Hrs, 8 Hrs

On Call Expectations: None

Weekend/Holiday Frequency: Every other Weekend; Every other Holiday

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Nursing Degree from an approved school of nursing
• No previous experience required
• LICENSURE Active Registered Nurse license in good standing with the North Dakota Board of Nursing or Active Registered Nurse license in a compact state
• Working knowledge of clinical skills in delivery of patient care for behavioral health patients
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within the orientation period and meets re-certification as required
• Good communication skills necessary for constant communication, both oral and written, with patients, families, visitors, and medical center staff
• Accountable for own conduct and promotes and supports positive working relationships among staff, between other disciplines, departments, families, visitors, and patients
• Maintains confidentiality

Where You’ll Work

Since 1885, CHI St. Alexius Health has been dedicated to leading health care in this region by enriching the lives of patients through the highest quality of care. We seek to continue our tradition of success and innovation with individuals dedicated to delivering the highest level of expertise and quality. Together we can continue to grow and support the legacy of CHI St. Alexius Health for many years to come.

CHI St. Alexius Health is a regional health network with a tertiary hospital in Bismarck, the system also consists of critical access hospitals (CAHs) in Carrington, Dickinson, Devils Lake, Garrison, Turtle Lake, Washburn and Williston and numerous clinics and outpatient services.  CHI St. Alexius Health manages four CAHs in North Dakota - Elgin, Linton, and Wishek, as well as Mobridge Regional Medical Center in Mobridge, S.D. CHI St. Alexius Health offers a comprehensive line of inpatient and outpatient medical services, including: a Level II Trauma Center, primary and specialty physician clinics, home health and hospice services, durable medical equipment services, a fitness and human performance center and ancillary services throughout western and central North Dakota.

CHI St. Alexius Health is part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 through the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. CommonSpirit Health is committed to creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care.