Behavioral Health Nurse Lead
Asheville, NC
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

RN - Behavioral Health Nurse Lead

Location: Asheville, North Carolina Employment Type: Travel Contract Length: 26 weeks Hours per Week: 36

Required Qualifications

• Valid RN license in North Carolina
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) / Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Behavioral Health experience (2 years), with experience within the last year
• Experience in Supervisor roles
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification
• Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) certification
• Crisis Prevention Intervention Training (CPI)

Responsibilities

• Conduct immediate triage for all new behavioral health presentations to the ED, including risk and safety assessments (elopement, suicide or self-harm, aggression, need for 1:1 sitter, detox, environmental safety, and need for medical treatment).
• Create, document, and update individualized behavioral management plans, including de-escalation strategies, communication approaches, triggers to avoid, and reinforcement techniques.
• Provide real-time education and coaching to primary RNs and staff on behavioral health conditions, crisis behaviors, trauma-informed care, verbal de-escalation, and therapeutic boundaries.
• Round on all behavioral health patients holding in the ED, and reassess safety needs, behavioral changes, and intervention effectiveness.
• Respond immediately to all code activations and to behavioral health activations to determine need for immediate intervention.
• Lead or support de-escalation efforts, and coordinate with security, providers, and nursing staff to ensure patient and staff safety.
• Oversee change-out and removal of belongings, valuables, electronic devices, and contraband.
• Assess whether patients will require a blocked room, and help determine when additional interventions (medication, restraints, sitter adjustments) may be necessary, following policy and provider direction.
• Ensure monitoring protocols (e.g., 1:1 observation, safety checks) are followed, and that safety monitoring documentation is timely and appropriate.
• Review behavioral health documentation for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance, and complete medication reconciliation.
• Perform thorough assessments and develop plans of care for patients and families presenting with behavioral health needs, including psychosocial needs review and advocacy.
• Provide continuity of care, build rapport, and act as patient advocate throughout the hospital stay.
• Collaborate with psychiatry, psychiatric intake, the Psychiatric Care Team, house supervisors, RN case managers, social workers, physicians, and ED leadership to support patient flow, disposition planning, and interdisciplinary care planning.
• Provide brief interventions for patients at high risk for suicide, homicidal ideation, or violent behavior, and educate patients, families, and staff on diagnosis, treatment, and behavioral plans.
• Identify gaps or trends and communicate them to leadership, and participate in quality improvement initiatives in behavioral health care.
• Demonstrate knowledge of patient rights, advance directives, ethical issues, and confidentiality requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.