Behavioral Health Registered Nurse
Phoenix, Arizona
Valleywise Behavioral Health Center

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

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Shift: Night (3 shifts per week, 12 hours each, 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

• Work on behavioral health units serving adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
• Patient-to-nurse ratio approximately 12:1 with assistance from techs.
• Must be willing to float PRN among three nearby facilities within 24 miles and occasionally float down to Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) roles PRN.
• Responsible for charge nurse duties across all areas, including med-psych units.
• Orientation is 2 weeks, held during day shifts starting on a Tuesday.
• Weekend requirement: 2 weekend shifts per week (Friday is not considered a weekend shift).
• No block scheduling available.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Arizona.
• Minimum 2 years of behavioral health nursing experience, including experience within the last year.
• At least 1 year of Medical/Surgical (M/S) nursing experience within the last 5 years (must be a true M/S or psych M/S unit; floating to M/S units is not allowed).
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association.
• Skills in NG tube insertion and maintenance.
• Knowledge and experience with voluntary and involuntary commitment processes.
• Willingness and ability to perform charge nurse responsibilities.

Preferred Certifications

• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification (offered onsite during orientation).

Health and Compliance Requirements

• Physical exam within 1 year confirming good health, free of communicable diseases, and no physical limitations to perform job duties.
• Fit mask test within 1 year, updated annually (can be completed onsite during orientation).
• Immunizations and/or proof of immunity required for:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (within 10 years)
  • Measles (Rubeola)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B (vaccination series, positive titer, or declination)
• Negative TB test (Qgold or Tspot) within 1 year; if prior positive, chest X-ray within 5 years plus TB questionnaire within 30 days of start.
• Seasonal flu vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption required during flu season (Oct 1 – Mar 31).
• Negative drug screen within 30 days of start (specific drug panels required).

Background and Documentation Requirements

• Current and valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID.
• Background checks within 1 year including SS trace, 7-year county, national criminal, and FACIS III.
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG exclusion checks within 30 days of start.
• Education verification (copy of diploma or official transcripts accepted).
• Fingerprinting results on file within 90 days of start or proof of initiation within 7 days.
• Employment application with last 7 years of work history and explanations for gaps over 30 days.
• Work history verification for past 3 years.
• Skills checklist current within 1 year.
• References as required by agency (not facility).

Additional Information

• Candidates with no prior travel experience are eligible if coming from a similar facility.
• Local candidates are welcome.
• Blackout dates for return to office: September 4-7 (not applicable for all candidates).

This position is ideal for RNs with behavioral health experience who meet the M/S experience requirement and are comfortable working night shifts with floating responsibilities in a behavioral health setting.