Behavioral Health RN
Largo, MD
Host Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

Job Summary: Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (Psych/BHU RN)

Location: Largo, Maryland
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 13 weeks)
Shift: Days, 3x12 hour shifts (07:30 - 20:00), every other weekend and holidays as scheduled
Start Date: 03/23/2026

Unit & Patient Population

• 2-point locked entry Behavioral Health Unit (BHU)
• 7 beds total (5 adult, 2 pediatric)
• 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 (BH support only), and other campus locations as needed
• Pre-scheduled on-call not required

Required Qualifications

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

Additional Requirements & Compliance

• Background checks including 7-year criminal search, education verification, and state-specific exclusions
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Negative 9-panel drug screen within 30 days prior to start
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • TB testing (QGOLD, TSPOT, or 2-step PPD) with annual updates
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (required for units working with children)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (titers or vaccination proof)
  • Seasonal flu vaccine or approved exemption required during flu season
  • COVID vaccine not required for this location but documentation collected for tracking
• Fit mask test within 1 year of start
• Two supervisory references within 1 year of start
• Employment application/resume within 30 days of start
• Work history verification for previous 5 years

Competency & Training

• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (score ≥ 80%) as applicable
• Age-specific competency exam (score ≥ 80%)
• Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam (score ≥ 80%) for RN specialties
• Color blindness testing required
• Facility-specific documents including photo for badge, confidentiality agreement, dress code review, and job description acknowledgment

Work Environment & Expectations

• Floating within Behavioral Health specialty units and Emergency Department BH support
• Weekend and holiday shifts required as scheduled
• Mechanical, physical, and chemical restraint use on unit
• Patient population includes complex psychiatric cases across all age groups

This position is ideal for Behavioral Health RNs with at least 2 years of experience (or 1 year with strong skills) who are open to travel assignments and working in a locked psychiatric unit with a diverse patient population. First-time travel nurses are welcome.