Job Details

Description

As an Inpatient Behavioral Health Nurse, you play a vital role in providing compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals experiencing acute mental health crises. You will work in a fast-paced, structured environment within a mental health hospital, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to support patients through stabilization and recovery. This role requires strong clinical skills, emotional resilience, and a commitment to patient advocacy.

What to Expect in This Role

Daily Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing care, including medication administration, monitoring for side effects, and assessing changes in patient behavior.
• Conduct patient assessments to evaluate mental, emotional, and physical health needs.
• Work closely with psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists to develop and implement individualized treatment plans.
• Support de-escalation efforts, utilizing therapeutic communication and crisis intervention techniques.
• Educate patients and families about mental health conditions, coping strategies, and discharge planning.
• Document all patient interactions, interventions, and progress in electronic health records.
• Participate in shift hand-offs and team meetings to ensure continuity of care.

Work Environment

• A high-acuity, structured setting, where teamwork is essential to maintaining patient and staff safety.
• Patients may experience severe psychiatric symptoms, including agitation, aggression psychosis, or suicidal ideation.
• Regular use of nonviolent crisis intervention techniques to manage escalations
• Shifts may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays based on patient needs.
• A multidisciplinary team approach, where communication and collaboration are key.
• Security team on staff and rounding on units 24/7.

Challenges You May Face

• Emotional intensity—working with patients in crisis requires strong emotional regulation and self-care.
• Physical demands—assisting patients in distress may require standing, walking, and occasional interventions.
• Complex cases—co-occurring disorders, medication noncompliance, and social barriers can make treatment challenging.
• Safety concerns—while rare, aggressive behavior from patients may occur, requiring quick thinking and adherence to hospital safety protocols.

Why This Role Matters

Your work as an Inpatient Behavioral Health Nurse has a profound impact on patients' lives. You will provide hope, support, and stability during some of their most vulnerable moments. If you are compassionate, resilient, and committed to mental health advocacy, this role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a difference every day.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education - ASN required.  BSN Preferred.  

Experience - Minimum of one year of experience in a hospital setting required.

Licensure/Certification - “RN license to practice in the state of Maryland”

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities - Ability to apply the standards of professional nursing practice with compassion and empathy.  Basic computer skills required. Must posses high level of organization and communication skills.

Caring for Our Team

We are committed to supporting the well-being and professional development of our team members through a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Health, Dental, and Vision InsuranceCoverage begins on thefirst of the month following your hire date.
• Life Insurance & Disability CoverageIncludescompany-paid life insurance, as well asshort- and long-term disabilitybenefits to provide peace of mind.
• Paid Time Off (PTO)Agenerous PTO programdesigned to help you recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• 401(k) Retirement PlanBenefit from arobust company matchto support your long-term financial goals.
• Education Assistance & Tuition ReimbursementSupport for yourcontinued learning and career growth.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)Options tosave pre-tax dollarsfor eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Shift Differential Pay

Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help, and are always Happy to Help. 

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