Behavioral Health Nurse

Job Summary

This position is eligible for $5,000 retention bonus 

The Providence Center CCBHC Nurse Behavioral Health Outpatient (BHOP) plays a vital role in assessing health needs, coordinating medical and psychiatric care, administering medications, and supporting overall wellness for clients. Working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, the Nurse ensures the delivery of high-quality, person-centered services that promote recovery, stability, and improved health outcomes in both office-based and community-based settings.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform initial, annual, and ongoing nursing assessments, and update clients’ care plans. Identify expected outcomes of care, individualized to the client, with the goal of improving client’s overall health.
• Provide services to assigned caseload of clients, ensuring service intensity meets program standards, including required in-person contacts provided in both office- and community-based settings. Also provides services to other clients in need at Center programs. (See job description addendum)
• Triage clients and conduct comprehensive assessments, including health, psychiatric, substance use, housing, and safety needs.
• Identify, assess and respond to crisis situations, providing appropriate risk management and crisis stabilization.
• Develop, implement, and coordinate individualized care plans, including goal setting with clients.
• Manage care transitions, including hospitalization coordination and post‑discharge follow‑up. Communicate any changes or significant findings to care team, including prescriber.
• Provide integrated care aligned with medical protocols and question care plans when safety and/or wellness is at risk.
• Document assessments, lab results, medication updates, and required records in accordance with agency standards.
• Administer medications, ensure accurate EMR documentation, and complete medication reconciliations. Implement appropriately prescribed medication regimen while following the six rights of medication administration.
• Educate clients and families on diagnoses, care plans, rehabilitation, and medication effects and/or side effects.
• Uphold infection prevention, patient safety, and regulatory standards; report and escalate concerns per agency policies.
• Attend team meetings and case reviews to share updates and collaboratively address client challenges.
• Conduct home visits, school meetings, and community outreach to support clients in their natural environments.
• Assist clients with daily activities and life skills through modeling and providing education to promote independence. This includes basic medical procedures and hygiene needs as well as medication management and budgeting as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and timely records of all client interactions and services provided, including clinical documentation as required.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Transport clients safely to appointments and activities as needed.
• Foster cooperative relationships with staff, clients, and community partners.
• Attend trainings and case presentations, and complete professional development activities necessary to maintain valid licensure.
• Participate in training and orientation of new staff and student nurses as needed.
• Serve on committees and participate in agency initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support client goals and program needs.

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree Required, Bachelor's Degree Preferred (Diploma in Nursing acceptable); Field of Study: Nursing.
• Experience working with psychiatric/mental health patients and substance use treatment preferred.
• RI licensure required: Registered Nurse.
• Must have valid driver's license, registration, current inspection sticker and insured auto.
• Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of individuals with mental health issues, their families, and family systems.
• Skilled in crisis assessment, risk management, and de-escalation.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and calm demeanor during emergencies.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent and draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Proficiency in documentation and electronic record-keeping systems, including ability to document in electronic medical records.
• Capable of working collaboratively with community partners and in a team environment.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to convey information clearly and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, representatives from outside agencies and the public.
• Ability to build rapport and establish trust with diverse individuals and community partners.
• Cultural competence and commitment to providing equitable and inclusive services.
• Highly motivated, independent, and self-directed.
• Ability to travel within the community with reliable transportation.
• Bilingual preferred. For positions designated as bilingual (Bil), proficiency in the required language is mandatory, and the language assessment must be passed no later than 30 days of starting the role.

About Us

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, is a trusted, integrated health care organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.