Behavioral Health Registered Nurse
Manchester, New Hampshire
Elliot Hospital

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

Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Specialty: Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum Specialty Experience: 1 year in Geriatric Psychiatric and Medical-Surgical nursing
• Preferred Experience: Long-term care (LTC) or rehabilitation experience strongly preferred
• Prior Travel Experience: Not accepting first-time travelers (prior travel experience required)
• Certifications Required:

  • BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support)
  • CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute)
• Skills:

  • Experience in geriatric psych inpatient units
  • Foley catheter care and wound care
  • Comfortable with patients requiring hands-on care including incontinence, mobility deficits (lift equipment), IV fluids, wound care, catheters
  • Experience with medical psych, IVF, and lift equipment

Job Details

• Shift: 12-hour nights (7:00 PM - 7:30 AM), 36 hours per week
• Patient Ratio: 1:6
• Average Daily Census: 25 patients
• Call Requirement: None
• Float Requirement: Every other week; may float to adult behavioral health or "helping hands" as needed
• Weekend Requirement: Every other weekend required

Patient Diagnoses

• Psychosis (unspecified)
• Dementia with and without behavioral disturbances
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood disorders
• Acute psychiatric illnesses with cognitive impairment

Unit & Environment

• Locked psychiatric unit accepting involuntary patients
• Seclusion room available
• 15-minute safety checks and 1:1 observation when appropriate
• Unit divided into Psychiatric and Behavioral halves based on patient cognitive ability and group participation
• Use of lift equipment and IV therapy (training provided)
• Communication via Voalte phones
• Panic alarms installed on unit
• Documentation and medication systems: Epic
• Scrubs: Any

Important Notes

• Candidates who have ever been employed by the associated health system are not eligible
• Travelers living within 50 miles of the facility will receive a rate decrease (note for recruiters)

Required Background & Compliance

• Comprehensive background checks including Social Security verification, criminal searches (excluding NH counties), sex offender registry, education verification, and others as specified
• Drug screening: 10-panel drug screen within 14 days prior to start
• Physical exam within 1 year prior to start
• Respiratory safety clearance required
• Immunizations and health documents required:

  • Tdap (within last 10 years)
  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray (True 2-Step PPD, Qgold, or Tspot within 1 year)
  • Flu vaccination required during flu season (Oct 31 - Apr 1) or approved exemption
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunity or vaccination
  • Varicella immunity or vaccination
  • Hepatitis B vaccination or waiver
• Annual fit mask test required for clinical candidates
• Facility-specific waivers and attestations for immunizations and safety training may be required

Certifications & Competencies

• ACLS, PALS, TNCC certifications may be required or preferred depending on unit
• Management of Assaultive Behavior (MAB) certification accepted online
• Pass/fail testing for EKG/Dysrhythmia may be required depending on unit
• Medication and pharmacology competency exams required internally

References & Documentation

• Two current professional references within the last 3 years, including one from a supervisor or charge nurse
• Employment application and skills checklist required
• Annual internal evaluation for travelers with 1+ year tenure

This position is ideal for experienced behavioral health RNs with prior travel experience who are comfortable working in a locked psychiatric unit with complex geriatric and psychiatric patients. The role requires strong clinical skills, flexibility for floating, and adherence to strict compliance and immunization standards.