Behavioral Health Registered Nurse
Saint Louis, MO
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

Seeking a Behavioral Health Registered Nurse for a travel/contract position in a short-term acute care, Magnet & Teaching Hospital, Level I Trauma Center. The role involves working in a Behavioral Health Psychiatric Center with a patient ratio of 1:6.

Required Experience

• Minimum 1 year of experience in Behavioral Health nursing (highest stated requirement)
• First-time travelers accepted (no prior travel experience required)

Work Schedule & Environment

• Weekend requirement: Every other weekend
• No on-call duties
• Floating within Behavioral Health service line and to all Behavioral Health units
• No block scheduling accommodation
• Locals not accepted
• Pending license accepted
• Return to work restrictions: No more than 7 days off
• Guaranteed hours: 3 shifts per 13 weeks

Required Certifications

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Blue Card (1-day seminar, Blue Card only)
• Epic experience required (electronic health record system)

Skills & Competencies

• Geriatric and adult inpatient care in locked Behavioral Health units
• Experience with medical/psychiatric patients including:

  • Substance use/chemical dependency
  • Medication administration (PO, rectal, IM, IV, SC, etc.)
  • Starting and maintaining IVs
  • Blood glucose monitoring
  • Foley catheter insertion and maintenance
• Ability to manage patients with:

  • Minor medical issues and aggressive behaviors
  • Schizoaffective disorder
  • Intellectual/developmental disabilities
  • Alcohol/opioid withdrawal (secondary diagnosis)
  • Depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders
• Experience with insulin, colostomy care, insulin pumps, CPAP, minor wound care
• Floating patients include older adults and adults with medical co-morbidities such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and pre-op prep for ECT

Required Licensure

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license for Missouri (pending licenses accepted)

Compliance & Background Requirements

• Government-issued ID required
• Criminal background check within 6 months, including statewide and nationwide searches
• Quarterly EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks
• Education verification of highest nursing degree
• State-specific searches and registries as applicable
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, including multiple substances
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Fit mask test (N95) required and must be renewed annually
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap vaccine or declination
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray with yearly questionnaire
  • Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella immunity or vaccination/declination
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption during flu season
• Various facility-specific documents and acknowledgements (HIPAA, confidentiality, hand hygiene, dress code, etc.) must be completed prior to start

Additional Requirements

• Unit-specific competency exams and medication/pharmacology competency exam required
• Skills checklist specific to Behavioral Health required within 1 year of start
• References: Two professional references required (supervisors preferred)
• Employment application must be completed and uploaded

Facility Highlights

• Short Term Acute Care
• Magnet & Teaching Hospital
• Level I Trauma Center
• 1259 staffed beds
• Charting system: Epic
• Scrub color: Navy

This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work in a high-acuity Behavioral Health setting with a diverse patient population requiring specialized nursing skills.