Behavioral Health Registered Nurse
Saint Louis, Missouri
Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Job Opportunity: Registered Nurse (Travel/Contract)

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Position Details

• Shift: 3x12 hour night shifts
• Patient Ratios: 1:6
• Experience Required: Minimum 1 year in specialty (Registered Nurse)
• Prior Travel Experience: Not required; first-time travelers are accepted
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend
• On-call: No
• Floating: Within service line to all Behavioral Health units
• Block Scheduling: Not accommodated
• Locals Accepted: No (must be outside 75-mile radius)
• Pending License Accepted: Yes
• Return to Office Restrictions: No more than 7 days
• Guaranteed Hours: 3 shifts per 13 weeks (cancelled shifts must be regular shift length)

Specialty & Skills Requirements

• Specialty: Behavioral Health Registered Nurse
• Patient Population: Adult psychiatric and geriatric (18+ years), some with co-morbid medical conditions requiring med-surg approach
• Unit Type: Locked inpatient psychiatric unit
• Skills Required:

  • Geriatric care
  • Inpatient psychiatric care
  • Locked unit experience
  • Medical/Psych nursing
  • Substance use/chemical dependency
  • Medication administration (PO, rectal, IM, IV, SC, etc.)
  • Starting and maintaining IVs
  • Blood glucose monitoring
  • Foley catheter insertion and maintenance
  • IV starts
  • Presence in milieu
  • Restraint application
  • Charge nurse duties as needed
  • Pre-op prep for ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

Certifications Required

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Blue Card or MAB (Management of Assaultive Behavior) if applicable
• Epic experience (electronic health record system)
• Medical and psychiatric nursing experience required

Facility Highlights

• Type: Short Term Acute Care
• Magnet & Teaching Hospital
• Level I Trauma Center
• Total Staffed Beds: 1259
• Charting System: Epic
• Scrub Color: Navy

Compliance & Documentation Requirements

• Government-issued ID (Driver’s License/State ID)
• Criminal Background Check (7-year search, statewide and nationwide) within 6 months of start
• EPLS/GSA/SAM and HHS/OIG checks (quarterly)
• Education verification of highest nursing degree
• Professional license primary source verification (NURSYS for Missouri licenses)
• Drug testing within 1 year of start, must include standard panels and not expire during assignment
• Physical exam within 1 year of start
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap (every 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest x-ray (2 negative PPDs or T-Spot/Q-Gold within 1 year)
  • Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella immunity or vaccination/declination as applicable
  • Flu vaccination or medical/religious exemption required during flu season (09/30 - 04/01)
• Fit mask testing (N95) required and must be renewed annually
• Background checks and state-specific searches as required by Missouri and Illinois regulations
• Unit-specific competency exams including medication and dysrhythmia/EKG competency
• Skills checklist specific to unit within 1 year of start
• HIPAA Acknowledgement, Confidentiality Form, Latex Allergy Questionnaire, Hand Hygiene Policy, Fingernail Policy, Dress Code Policy, and Regulatory Compliance Education (annual)
• Badge photo (head and shoulders, white background, no obstructions, taken within 6 months)

Additional Notes

• Floating may include other Behavioral Health units with adult and older adult patients, some with dementia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and mobility issues
• Charge nurse responsibilities may be required as needed
• Candidates must be able to meet the facility’s compliance and documentation requirements prior to start
• No local candidates accepted within 75 miles radius

This position is ideal for a Registered Nurse with behavioral health experience looking for a travel contract in a Magnet-designated, Level I Trauma teaching hospital with a focus on adult psychiatric and geriatric populations.