Behavioral Health Registered Nurse
Binghamton, NY
Access Healthcare
5x8 hrs, Evenings

Behavioral Health Registered Nurse

Location: Binghamton, New York
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 26 weeks

Job Details

• Shift options: 2x12-hour shifts and 2x8-hour shifts or 5x8-hour shifts available
• Typical shift example: Evening shift (3:00 PM – 11:00 PM), 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week
• Responsible for passing medications for up to 25 patients with psychiatric experience
• Duties include writing shift notes, conducting and documenting nursing assessments, and completing weekly/monthly notes
• May work in units with 2-3 RNs scheduled; all staff expected to foster a therapeutic milieu
• One nurse acts as charge RN; all RNs count toward core staffing alongside Mental Health Therapy Aides

Work Policies

• Overtime must be approved by Nursing Supervisor; agency OT is discouraged unless no internal staff available
• Shift swaps require approval and documented agreement via a formal request form
• Meal breaks are 30 minutes and cannot be combined with 15-minute breaks; if unable to take a break, notify supervisor immediately with documentation
• Sleeping on patient units is prohibited; resting during breaks must occur in non-patient areas only

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse license in New York State
• Minimum of 1 year of behavioral health nursing experience, with experience within the last year required
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

Experience

• Specialty: Registered Nurse with psychiatric experience
• Required years of experience: Not explicitly stated, but psychiatric experience is mandatory
• Prior travel experience: Not required

Background and Compliance Requirements

• Background check within 1 year covering last 7 years of residence/work/school history, including SS trace, county, nationwide, and sex offender searches
• Criminal background check fingerprinting required and completed onsite
• Foreign degree holders must provide equivalency evaluation from approved vendors
• Education verification of highest degree required
• Must complete and clear New York Statewide Central Registry and Crisis Response forms with detailed residence history
• Two professional references required
• Skills checklist required

Health and Immunization Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year of start (no annual renewal required)
• Negative TB test or chest X-ray (QGold, Tspot, or 2-step PPD) within 12 months prior to start; must be updated annually
• Annual TB questionnaire completion required
• Vaccination documentation or titers required for:

  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B (vaccination, titers, or declination)
  • Varicella (vaccination, titer, or documented disease history)
• Seasonal flu vaccination or declination required during flu season; mask required if declined
• COVID-19 booster preferred but not required
• Drug testing: 9-panel within 1 year of start; instant tests acceptable

Facility-Specific Documentation

• Medicaid enrollment form with NPI number required prior to start
• Social Services Law 424 and Child Abuse Statement required

This position is ideal for RNs with psychiatric experience seeking a travel contract in behavioral health nursing with comprehensive compliance and health documentation requirements.