Pediatric Behavioral Health RN
Saint Louis, Missouri
Saint Louis Children's Hospital

Job Opportunity: Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (Pediatric Psychiatric)

Location

• Saint Louis, Missouri

Employment Type

• Travel/Contract

Contract Length

• Approximately 18 weeks

Shift Details

• 12-hour day shifts (7:00 AM – 7:30 PM)
• Schedule: Every other weekend required
• Guaranteed hours: 36 hours/week for ages 3-12, 48 hours/week for ages 4-12

Unit and Facility

• Pediatric Behavioral Health unit in a children’s acute care hospital
• May float within scope to be a 1:1 observer or to the Behavioral Health pod of the Emergency Department
• Unit staffed with 14 beds; facility has 455 beds total
• Charting system: EPIC

Requirements/Qualifications

• Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in Missouri
• Minimum 2 years of Pediatric Behavioral Health nursing experience, with at least some experience within the last year
• Behavioral Health nursing experience required
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification
• Strong verbal de-escalation skills
• Experience with EPIC electronic health records preferred
• Must be willing to float as needed within the unit’s scope

Licensure

• Must hold an active Registered Nurse license valid in Missouri
• Pending licenses accepted

Certifications and Competencies

• BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support)
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Blue Card (or MAB if applicable)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – AHA accepted; PALS RQI with standard 2-year expiration accepted
• Medication/Pharmacology competency exam specific to pediatrics required
• Unit-specific competency exams required annually
• Acknowledgement of pass/fail testing for EKG/medications required
• Other certifications may be required based on unit specifics (e.g., Management of Assaultive Behavior, Trauma Nursing Core Course)

Schedule and Work Conditions

• Full-time, 12-hour day shifts
• Weekend work every other weekend required
• No block scheduling accommodations
• Local candidates within 75 miles radius not accepted

Background and Compliance Requirements

• Criminal background check within 6 months required (7-year search including statewide and nationwide checks)
• Education verification of highest nursing degree required prior to start
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks required quarterly
• Fingerprinting required for assignments involving Illinois long-term care or rehab units (not applicable here)
• Missouri Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) registration required (time sensitive)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, including a comprehensive panel, must be current throughout assignment
• Physical exam within 1 year of start required
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be completed by end of first week of orientation
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • Tdap vaccine or declination (with exceptions for certain units)
  • Negative TB test or equivalent within 1 year
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption required during flu season
• Hepatitis B declination required (vaccination not mandatory)

Facility-Specific Requirements

• Must review and sign facility policies including:

  • HIPAA Acknowledgement
  • Latex Allergy Questionnaire
  • Confidentiality Form
  • Hand Hygiene Policy
  • Fingernail Policy
  • Dress Code Policy
• Badge photo required (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions, taken within 6 months)
• Must complete regulatory compliance education annually
• Must complete medication test study guide prior to orientation
• Employment application and professional references required (two professional references preferred, supervisors within last year ideal)
• Unit-specific skills checklist required within 1 year of start

Additional Notes

• Facility provides CPI certification course
• May float to Behavioral Health pod in Emergency Department as needed
• Scrub color: Any or facility-branded T-shirts/jackets
• Parking available at daily garage rates

This position is ideal for experienced pediatric psychiatric RNs with strong de-escalation skills and EPIC experience, seeking a travel contract in a specialized children’s behavioral health setting.