Job Description

This job is contingent on project award.

The Behavioral Health Registered Nurse Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of Behavioral Health Unit nursing services and assigned nursing staff to support safe, timely, trauma-informed, and contract-compliant care for patients with serious mental illness and other behavioral health conditions. The role ensures nursing coverage, clinical coordination, documentation, emergency response readiness, continuity of care, staff competency, and alignment with applicable contract standards, accreditation requirements, and federal, state, and local requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day supervision and operational oversight of Behavioral Health Unit nursing services and assigned nursing staff.
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor nursing coverage to support continuous on-site registered nurse coverage and safe patient care across all shifts.
• Support nursing operations for the Behavioral Health Unit, including care for patients with serious mental illness, patients on suicide precautions, and patients requiring observation, stabilization, or ongoing behavioral health nursing support.
• Ensure nursing care is delivered in accordance with applicable scope-of-practice requirements, contract standards, accreditation requirements, and facility policies and procedures.
• Ensure required nursing participation in initial screening, ongoing assessment, daily triage of requests for health care, patient monitoring, and timely referral or escalation when clinical findings require higher-level evaluation.
• Coordinate patient care with psychiatrists, behavioral health providers, medical providers, behavioral health technicians, and other interdisciplinary staff to support treatment planning, continuity of care, transfer preparation, and follow-up.
• Monitor nursing documentation for completeness, timeliness, and accuracy, including documentation in the electronic health record and other required tracking systems.
• Oversee safe medication administration practices and support continuity of prescribed medications during transfer, discharge, or other transitions of care, as directed by licensed providers and contract requirements.
• Ensure timely communication and escalation of significant changes in patient condition, serious clinical concerns, and urgent safety issues to the appropriate licensed provider and operational leadership.
• Support suicide prevention and emergency response processes, including staff readiness for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillator use, emergency first aid, recognition of mental health emergencies, and safe transfer for higher-level care when required.
• Ensure nursing operations comply with contract requirements related to suicide precautions, including limits on the use of telehealth for patients on suicide watch.
• Support a trauma-informed and culturally responsive care environment for a diverse patient population, including use of professional interpretation and communication assistance services when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and secure handling of patient records and protected information and support prompt reporting of privacy or security concerns in accordance with contract requirements.
• Participate in quality assurance activities, audits, inspections, annual policy review activities, corrective action processes, and program improvement efforts related to nursing and behavioral health services.
• Lead or support orientation, competency validation, ongoing education, and performance management for assigned nursing personnel.
• Provide direct patient care within scope of licensure when operationally required.
• Complete required organizational compliance education, including assigned requirements that are client-specified, for Joint Commission Healthcare Staffing Services certification or other regulatory bodies.

This list is non-exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake additional duties that are not specifically listed above.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements/Certifications:

• Current, full, active, and unrestricted Registered Nurse license in Texas or the ability to obtain one.
• Minimum six years professional nursing experience.
• Experience in a detention or correctional healthcare setting preferred.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Education Required:

• Graduate from a baccalaureate or graduate nursing program for Registered Nurses located in a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory accredited by The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Experience and Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of behavioral health nursing practice, including care for patients with serious mental illness, patient observation, suicide prevention processes, emergency response, medication administration, and continuity of care.
• Ability to supervise nursing staff and support a 24-hour nursing operation in a behavioral health setting.
• Knowledge of clinical documentation requirements and use of an electronic health record.
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff in a secure clinical environment.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and culturally responsive patient care.
• Knowledge of confidentiality, privacy, and secure information-handling requirements applicable to patient information.
• Ability to support communication with patients who have limited English proficiency or communication-related disabilities through approved professional services and accommodations.

Physical Requirements:

• Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to 5 minutes and maintain balance.
• Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
• Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds.
• Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
• Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging patients or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
• Must be able to see, hear and smell with aids if necessary.
• Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
• Must perform the duties of my job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
• Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time.
• Average manual dexterity for computer operation.
• Phone or computer use for extended periods of time.

Other Special Qualifications:

• Must maintain current/physical residency in the continental U.S.
• Pass a medical examination conducted by a licensed physician within 30 days prior to initial assignment.
• U.S. citizen and have resided in the U.S. for the last five years (unless abroad on official U.S. government duty).
• Successfully engage in and complete a thorough Background Investigation.
• Possess or have ability to obtain required security clearances.
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred.

Additional Information

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Compensation Disclaimer:
Pay range is based on several factors and may vary in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Final salary and offer will be determined by the applicant’s background, experience, skills, internal equity, and alignment with geographical market data.

Benefits Language (FTE roles):
Full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Additional benefits include a 401k plan, paid time off, and an annual bonus. IHMS USA, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local minimum wage laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) Statement:
IHMS USA, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.