Behavioral Health Registered Nurse
Upper Marlboro, MD
GHR Healthcare - PH Division
3x12 hrs

Job Opportunity: Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (Psych/BHU RN - Nights)

Location: Largo, Maryland
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 13 weeks)
Shift: Nights, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:30 PM - 8:00 AM)
Schedule: Every other weekend required; holidays as scheduled
Start Date: March 23, 2026

Unit & Patient Population

• Behavioral Health Unit (BHU), 7 beds total (5 adult, 2 pediatric)
• 2-point locked entry unit
• Patient age range: Pediatric through Geriatric
• Patient diagnoses include acute psychosis, hallucinations, suicidal/homicidal ideation, major depressive disorder, personality/mood disorders, involuntary/voluntary commitment, and other complex psychiatric diagnoses
• Use of mechanical, physical, and chemical restraints (including adolescents age 13+)

Staffing & Ratios

• Nurse-to-patient ratio: 1:3, up to 1:4
• Average daily census: 7 patients
• Floating required within specialty to inpatient BHU, Emergency Department (supporting behavioral health only), and other campus locations as needed
• Pre-scheduled on-call not required

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Maryland
• Minimum 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience within the last year
• Behavioral Health experience working with adolescent, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Job Requirements & Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care on a locked behavioral health unit
• Manage patients with complex psychiatric conditions and safety risks
• Administer and monitor use of restraints as needed
• Participate in floating assignments within behavioral health specialty and related units
• Work every other weekend and scheduled holidays

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Background checks including 7-year criminal history, education verification, and various federal/state screenings
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Negative 9-panel drug screen within 30 days prior to start (instant tests not accepted)
• Immunizations and titers required:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (required for units working with children)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (positive titer or vaccination proof)
  • Hepatitis B (positive titer or declination accepted; series not accepted)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or approved medical/religious exemption (for 2025-26 season)
• TB testing: Negative QGOLD or TSPOT within 1 year, or 2-step PPD as applicable, with annual updates
• Fit mask test within 1 year of start
• COVID vaccine no longer required for this location, but documentation collected for tracking
• Two supervisory references within 1 year of start
• Employment application/resume within 30 days of start
• Verification of previous 5 years of work history

Additional Notes

• Candidates must sign job description and confidentiality agreement prior to start
• Photo for badge required (passport-style with solid background)
• Floating and weekend/holiday work are mandatory
• Unit uses mechanical, physical, and chemical restraints, including for adolescents 13 years and older

This position is ideal for RNs with behavioral health experience seeking a travel contract opportunity on a locked psychiatric unit with a supportive team and structured schedule. First-time travel nurses with strong psych skills are encouraged to apply.