Job info

Job Opportunity: Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (Psych/BHU RN - Nights)

Location: Largo, Maryland
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 13 weeks)
Shift: Nights, 3 shifts per week, 12 hours each (7:30 PM - 8:00 AM)
Schedule: Every other weekend required; holidays as scheduled
Start Date: March 23, 2026

Unit & Patient Population

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

Required Qualifications

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

Job Requirements & Responsibilities

Provide nursing care on a locked behavioral health unit
Manage patients with complex psychiatric conditions and safety risks
Administer and monitor use of restraints as needed
Participate in floating assignments within behavioral health specialty and related units
Work every other weekend and scheduled holidays

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

Background checks including 7-year criminal history, education verification, and various federal/state screenings
Physical exam within 1 year of start
Negative 9-panel drug screen within 30 days prior to start (instant tests not accepted)
Immunizations and titers required:
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (required for units working with children)
- Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (positive titer or vaccination proof)
- Hepatitis B (positive titer or declination accepted; series not accepted)
- Seasonal flu vaccine or approved medical/religious exemption (for 2025-26 season)
TB testing: Negative QGOLD or TSPOT within 1 year, or 2-step PPD as applicable, with annual updates
Fit mask test within 1 year of start
COVID vaccine no longer required for this location, but documentation collected for tracking
Two supervisory references within 1 year of start
Employment application/resume within 30 days of start
Verification of previous 5 years of work history

Additional Notes

Candidates must sign job description and confidentiality agreement prior to start
Photo for badge required (passport-style with solid background)
Floating and weekend/holiday work are mandatory
Unit uses mechanical, physical, and chemical restraints, including for adolescents 13 years and older

This position is ideal for RNs with behavioral health experience seeking a travel contract opportunity on a locked psychiatric unit with a supportive team and structured schedule. First-time travel nurses with strong psych skills are encouraged to apply.