RN Behavioral Health

Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Unit (Adult & Adolescent Inpatient)

As our Behavioral Health Unit Registered Nurse, you will help adults and adolescents experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions receive compassionate, evidence-based care in a supportive and therapeutic inpatient environment. Every day you will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individual patient care, focusing on their mental, emotional, and physical well‑being while maintaining a safe and structured setting for both adult and adolescent populations. You will be expected to supervise care according to policies, procedures, and the State Nurse Practice Act. To be successful in this role, you must be an empathetic and skilled caregiver, adept at therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, and promoting a healing milieu while adhering to established standards.

Job Summary

Contribute to a multidisciplinary team that delivers integrated, holistic treatment for behavioral health patients across the adult and adolescent lifespan.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing care for adult and adolescent patients with acute and chronic mental health disorders, conducting thorough mental status examinations, age‑appropriate risk assessments (e.g., suicide, self‑harm, aggression), and identifying behavioral patterns.
• Implement and manage individualized care plans, focusing on medication administration for psychotropic agents, managing side effects, facilitating therapeutic groups, and providing psychoeducation adapted for both adult and adolescent patients.
• Perform ongoing assessments of emotional, behavioral, and cognitive status, recognizing subtle changes, skillfully de‑escalating crises, and intervening appropriately to ensure patient and staff safety across age groups.
• Collaborate effectively with psychiatrists, social workers, therapists, case managers, and other behavioral health specialists to ensure an integrated and holistic approach to patient treatment and discharge planning for diverse age populations.
• Engage patients in therapeutic communication techniques, motivational interviewing, and crisis intervention strategies to build rapport, encourage self‑expression, and empower patients in their recovery journey.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all patient assessments, behaviors, interventions, medications, and responses, ensuring compliance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements specific to mental health care for adults and adolescents.
• Offer a $17,500 sign‑on bonus and relocation assistance to qualifying new hires.

Qualifications

• Nursing degree from an approved school of nursing.
• New graduate RN's welcome to apply.
• Active Registered Nurse license in good standing with the North Dakota Board of Nursing or in a compact state.
• Working knowledge of clinical skills in delivery of patient care for behavioral health patients across the adult and adolescent lifespan.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within the orientation period and meeting re‑certification requirements as needed.
• Certifications such as CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) or other de‑escalation training are often required or highly desirable for behavioral health units.
• Strong communication skills necessary for constant communication, both oral and written, with patients, families, visitors, and medical center staff.
• Accountable for own conduct and promotes and supports positive working relationships among staff, between other disciplines, departments, families, visitors, and patients.
• Maintains confidentiality.

Union Work Agreement

Union work agreement applies to this position.

Shift Type

Variable shift.

On‑Call Expectations

None.

Weekend/Holiday Rotation

Every other or every third as schedule allows.

Pay Range

$35.38 - $50.69 per hour.

Where You’ll Work

Since 1885, CHI St. Alexius Health has been dedicated to leading health care in this region by enriching the lives of patients through the highest quality of care. We seek to continue our tradition of success and innovation with individuals dedicated to delivering the highest level of expertise and quality. Together we can continue to grow and support the legacy of CHI St. Alexius Health for many years to come.

CHI St. Alexius Health is a regional health network with a tertiary hospital in Bismarck. The system also consists of critical access hospitals in Carrington, Dickinson, Devils Lake, Garrison, Turtle Lake, Washburn and Williston, and numerous clinics and outpatient services. CHI St. Alexius Health manages four CAHs in North Dakota – Elgin, Linton, and Wishek – as well as Mobridge Regional Medical Center in Mobridge, S.D. It offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient medical services, including a Level II Trauma Center, primary and specialty physician clinics, home health and hospice services, durable medical equipment services, a fitness and human performance center, and ancillary services throughout western and central North Dakota.

CHI St. Alexius Health is part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. The organization was created in February 2019 through the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. CommonSpirit Health is committed to creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care.