Travel Nurse RN - Psych ED
Asheville, NC
Care Career
3x12 hrs, Nights
Referral Bonus

Behavioral Health Nurse Lead – HealthTrust / Care Career

Shift: Night Shift – 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Guaranteed Hours: 36 hours per week
Contract Duration: 182 weeks listed in the source; please confirm the actual contract length.
Open Positions: 1

Job Description:

The Behavioral Health Nurse Lead provides behavioral health assessments, safety evaluations, care coordination, and clinical guidance for patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with behavioral health needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct immediate triage and safety assessments for new behavioral health patients presenting to the ED.
• Assess risks related to elopement, suicide or self-harm, aggression, detox symptoms, and other safety concerns.
• Determine the need for 1:1 observation, safety precautions, blocked rooms, and medical treatment.
• Develop individualized behavioral management plans, including de-escalation strategies, communication approaches, triggers to avoid, and reinforcement techniques.
• Communicate assessment findings and recommendations to primary RNs and ED providers.
• Provide real-time education and coaching to nursing staff on behavioral health conditions, crisis behaviors, trauma-informed care, verbal de-escalation, and therapeutic boundaries.
• Perform routine rounding and reassess patient safety needs, behavioral changes, and intervention effectiveness.
• Ensure appropriate monitoring protocols, including 1:1 observation and safety checks.
• Respond immediately to CODE BERT and other behavioral health activations.
• Lead or support de-escalation efforts and coordinate with security, providers, and nursing staff to maintain patient and staff safety.
• Help determine the need for additional interventions, including medication, restraints, or sitter adjustments, following policy and provider direction.
• Review behavioral health documentation for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
• Complete medication reconciliation.
• Perform patient assessments and develop appropriate plans of care for patients and families with behavioral health needs.
• Identify psychosocial needs and possible interventions