Nurse Manager – Behavioral Health

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Nurse Manager Behavioral Health to lead and oversee the operations of a psychiatric unit within a hospital setting. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality patient care regulatory compliance and effective interdisciplinary collaboration.

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership experience in psychiatric nursing with a proven ability to manage unit operations drive performance improvement initiatives and maintain compliance with healthcare standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and management of the behavioral health unit
• Collaborate with leadership to implement departmental goals policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory bodies (state and federal)
• Monitor patient admissions discharges and overall care management
• Lead performance improvement initiatives and quality assurance activities
• Prepare and analyze clinical and operational reports
• Maintain compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards (e.g. DOH JCAHO)
• Supervise and support nursing staff and interdisciplinary teams
• Manage budgeting staffing and inventory for the unit
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards and patient care guidelines
• Provide administrative leadership and coverage when needed
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and professional development

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Registered Nurse (RN)
• Minimum 5 years of psychiatric/behavioral health clinical experience
• Minimum 2 years of leadership/management experience

MUST HAVE:

• Experience managing a psychiatric unit in a hospital setting
• Strong knowledge of healthcare regulations and compliance standards
• Experience with quality improvement CQI and Root Cause Analysis
• Excellent leadership communication and decision-making skills
• Proficiency in electronic medical records and healthcare systems

Education

• Required: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution
• Preferred: Masters Degree in Nursing (MSN)

Certifications & Licensure

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) License New York State
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Crisis Management Certification (e.g. PMCS TRUST)

Additional Requirements

• Strong analytical critical thinking and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment
• Commitment to continuous professional growth and excellence in patient care
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills