Job info

Job Summary: Behavioral Health Registered Nurse (Psych/BHU RN)

Location: Largo, Maryland
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks (approximately 13 weeks)
Shift: Days, 3x12 hour shifts (07:30 - 20:00), every other weekend and holidays as scheduled
Start Date: 03/23/2026

Unit & Patient Population

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

Required Qualifications

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

Additional Requirements & Compliance

Background checks including 7-year criminal search, education verification, and state-specific exclusions
Physical exam within 1 year of start
Negative 9-panel drug screen within 30 days prior to start
Immunizations and health screenings required:
- TB testing (QGOLD, TSPOT, or 2-step PPD) with annual updates
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (required for units working with children)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B (titers or vaccination proof)
- Seasonal flu vaccine or approved exemption required during flu season
- COVID vaccine not required for this location but documentation collected for tracking
Fit mask test within 1 year of start
Two supervisory references within 1 year of start
Employment application/resume within 30 days of start
Work history verification for previous 5 years

Competency & Training

Medication/Pharmacology competency exam (score ≥ 80%) as applicable
Age-specific competency exam (score ≥ 80%)
Dysrhythmia/EKG competency exam (score ≥ 80%) for RN specialties
Color blindness testing required
Facility-specific documents including photo for badge, confidentiality agreement, dress code review, and job description acknowledgment

Work Environment & Expectations

Floating within Behavioral Health specialty units and Emergency Department BH support
Weekend and holiday shifts required as scheduled
Mechanical, physical, and chemical restraint use on unit
Patient population includes complex psychiatric cases across all age groups

This position is ideal for Behavioral Health RNs with at least 2 years of experience (or 1 year with strong skills) who are open to travel assignments and working in a locked psychiatric unit with a diverse patient population. First-time travel nurses are welcome.