Behavioral Health Nurse Job Description Template

Behavioral health nurses are trained to care for patients with a range of mental health conditions and substance use disorders. They work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, implementing treatment plans alongside a multidisciplinary team of professionals. When hiring for this role, creating a well-written behavioral health nurse job description is key to finding someone who has the empathy needed to support patients dealing with psychiatric issues.

To help you find the right person for your team, we’ve provided a sample job description that outlines key information for applicants. Tailor this template and pair it with targeted interview questions to narrow down potential candidates. Seeking other helpful insights? Explore current behavioral health nurse job openings at other facilities and learn how to make yours stand out from the crowd.

Behavioral Health Nurse

Tips: This is the introductory section of your job description where you should provide a brief overview of the role and your facility. Think of this as an elevator pitch of why applicants should work at your facility. You can list any notable perks, awards, or distinctions — and even share a bit about your mission and values.

Behavioral health nursing is a broad specialty, so it’s also important to clarify what type of unit or facility you’re hiring for. Applicants will likely want to know upfront whether this is an inpatient or outpatient role and what type of patients they’ll be working with.

Template:

[Facility name] is looking for a behavioral health nurse (RN) to join the adult inpatient psychiatric unit at our downtown campus. Here at [facility name], we are driven by a mission to make mental health care more accessible. We are experts in delivering person-centered care, and we strive to create an environment that helps each patient feel welcomed and supported.

Proudly having Magnet distinction, joining [facility name] means that you’ll be working alongside a bright and motivated team of professionals. Our competitive benefits and training programs allow you to build your ideal career while enjoying a culture that supports your personal goals. If this sounds like a work environment that you’d enjoy, we invite you to learn more about the role below.

Benefits

Tips: Now it’s time to back your introduction up by describing all the great perks of working at your facility. This section of your behavioral health nurse job description should accurately outline your employee benefits package. If your team offers any unique career opportunities for nurses, such as career ladders or continuing education credits, you can also mention that here.

Template:

• 401k plan with matching
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Continuing education credits
• Clinical career ladders
• Hourly wage differentials

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: This section should outline the most relevant duties that the job entails. Since behavioral health nurses can work in a variety of settings, make sure to tailor these duties to the specific needs of your unit. Listing common services that your facility offers will help applicants get an idea of whether their skill set aligns with your needs.

Also, keep in mind how this role supports or reports to other members on your mental health care team. If you’re also preparing a behavioral health nurse practitioner job description, this will help ensure that your job postings are cohesive and commensurate to the level of nursing you’re looking for.

Template:

• Help deliver a range of psychiatric treatments and services, including psychotropic medication management, group counseling and activities, and electroconvulsive treatment
• Conduct initial patient assessments and help develop individualized care plans under the direction of a psychiatric nurse practitioner
• Administer prescribed medications and monitor for efficacy and potential side effects
• Provide emotional support and education to patients and their families
• Help plan and facilitate group therapy sessions and activities
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals and manage necessary referrals to ensure continuity of care

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: Now that your prospective applicants can picture what their day-to-day routine might look like, they’ll want information about the expected pay, schedule, and work location. Some psychiatric/mental health units require unconventional hours, such as nights, weekends, and holidays. Be as specific as possible about your scheduling expectations so that applicants can evaluate whether they can handle the demands of the job.

Template:

• Annual salary of $85,000 – $106,000, with final offer determined based on education, experience, and qualifications
• Full-time, 12-hour night shifts (7p – 7:30a)
• Alternating weekends and rotating holidays
• Location: [insert city, state]

Skills and Qualifications

Tips: In this section of your behavioral nurse job description, you should outline all the skills and qualifications needed to carry out the role. Indicate whether any of your listed skills are “preferred” so that you don’t deter qualified candidates from applying.

Template:

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program (BSN preferred)
• Active RN license in the state of [insert state]
• BLS and ACLS certification from AHA within 30 days of hire
• Strong interpersonal skills and familiarity with psychiatric interventions
• 1+ years working in a behavioral health setting preferred

Call to Action

Tips: To wrap up your job description, you’ll want to plug a final call to action and invite interested candidates to take the next steps. Provide a link to your application portal or clear instructions on how candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters.

Template: Ready to take your career as a behavioral health nurse to new heights? Click here to submit your application today. We look forward to hearing from you!

Find Qualified Nurses for Your Mental Health Care Team

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