Behavioral Health Nurse

Company: University of New Mexico - Hospitals
Location: Las Cruces
Posted on: October 30, 2025

Job Description:

Job Description Sign-On Bonus Available Relocation Assistance Available Additional $6.00/hr. Safety Incentive Pay Receive 17% Weekday Nights, 26% Weekend Nights and 15% Weekend Day shift differentials Minimum Offer $35.22/hr. Maximum Offer $45.33/hr. Compensation Disclaimer Compensation for this role is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, and other business and organizational considerations. Department: BH Forensic ACT-Tech Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) is an evidenced based model that provides wrap around mental health services in the community to adults experiencing persistent and severe mental health issues, and criminal justice involvement. The FACT RN is a part of a multidisciplinary team and is primarily responsible for providing medication support and physical health appointment coordination support to clients. FACT RN is also responsible for managing the FACT medication room. Most of the services provided by the FACT RN take place in the community, MDC, and other nontraditional settings which includes clients’ homes and shelters. FTE: 1.00 Full Time Shift: Days Position Summary: Provide professional nursing care for assigned patients in a mental health/psychiatric environment. Design nursing care plans and assist in the development of overall care plans for psychiatric patients, ensuring administration of appropriate overall care in a manner conducive to recovery. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. Patient care assignment may include pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups. Detailed responsibilities: * PATIENT CARE - Interview, examine, and assess the health status of psychiatric patients with various cognitive, emotional, developmental, social, and behavioral disorders * PATIENT CARE - Observe patient behavior, activities, and mental status; perform triage and crisis intervention * PATIENT CARE - Write treatment plans; coordinate patient drug and procedure activities; administer medication and treatment; provide and coordinate nursing care of assigned patients; may facilitate group therapy and/or education sessions * PATIENT CARE - Chart and report observed symptoms, reactions, treatments, and changes in the patients' conditions; collect and document data and information; may perform computerized data entry * PATIENT CARE - Perform nursing intakes, draw blood and other patient specimens; may perform or coordinate laboratory tests * PATIENT CARE - Educate patients and families on treatment regimens, management of side effects, and compliance with the treatment plans; provide emotional support and acts as advocate for patients and families * PATIENT CARE - Provide information and facilitate communication between physicians, medical students, staff, patients, families, and community; coordinate and consult with a milieu of service providers * POLICY & PROCEDURE - Follow established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards * DEVELOPMENT - Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops * ADMINISTRATION - Perform various administrative functions such as monitoring expenditures and preparing reports and correspondence; may participate in a variety of research projects to develop service plans; may propose changes to program policies and procedures * PRECEPTOR - Participate in orientation, and having successfully completed preceptor training, assume precepting and evaluation responsibilities of new personnel * PATIENT CENTERED MED - Adhere to and promote the core expectations of the Patient Centered Medical Home or Patient Centered Specialty Practice as applicable * EMERGENCY MEASURES - Assist with or institute emergency measures for sudden, adverse developments in patients * PATIENT SAFETY 1 - Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols * PATIENT SAFETY 2 - Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes * PATIENT SAFETY 3 - Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk * PATIENT SAFETY 4 - Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner * PATIENT SAFETY 5 - Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right" Qualifications Education: Essential: * Program Graduate Nonessential: * Bachelor's Degree Education specialization: Essential: * Nationally Accredited Nursing Graduate Nonessential: * Nursing Experience: Essential: Nonessential: Bilingual English, Spanish, Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Zuni, or Navajo/n1 year directly related experience Credentials: Essential: * CPR for Healthcare/BLS Prov or Prof Rescuers w/in 30 days * RN in NM or as allowed by reciprocal agreement by NM Physical Conditions: Heavy Work: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects or people. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work. Working conditions: Essential: * Sig Hazard: Chemicals, Bio Hazardous Materials req PPE * Tuberculosis testing is completed upon hire and additionally as required Department: Registered Nurse

Keywords: University of New Mexico - Hospitals, Las Cruces , Behavioral Health Nurse, Healthcare , Las Cruces, New Mexico