Team Lead/Charge RN Inpatient Psych

BJC HealthCare•St. Louis, MO

About The Position

Under the direction of a manager, the Team Lead/Charge RN plans, directs, and coordinates unit activities on a designated shift. The position provides direct patient care as needed, serves as a clinical resource to nursing and support staff, and assesses, plans, evaluates, and documents the nursing process for the unit as needed. Supporting both the Code White Behavioral Health Emergency Response Team and the Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, the Charge Nurse helps create a safe, therapeutic, patient-centered environment. The role coordinates emergency behavioral responses, supports frontline staff in high-acuity situations, and helps ensure smooth unit operations. The Charge Nurse collaborates with physicians, nurses, security, and clinical support staff to de-escalate crises, promote safety, and support positive patient outcomes. The Psychiatry department includes three inpatient psychiatric units and outpatient ECT. Its care approach is patient-centered and emphasizes safety, group activity and music therapies, one-to-one care when needed, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The department has 46 inpatient beds across Intensive, Medicine, and Geriatric Psychiatry units. This is a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness and safe work practices.

Requirements

Nursing diploma or associate's degree in Nursing.
2–5 years of experience; 2 years of RN experience required.
Registered Nurse (RN) license.
Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Nursing.
5–10 years of experience.
Psychiatric/Behavioral Health, Emergency Room, or Medical-Surgical experience.

Responsibilities

Plan, direct, and coordinate unit activities on a designated shift under the direction of a manager.
Provide direct patient care as needed and serve as a clinical resource to nursing and support staff.
Assess, plan, evaluate, and document the nursing process for the assigned unit as needed.
Coordinate behavioral emergency responses and support frontline staff during high-acuity situations.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, security, and clinical support staff to de-escalate crises and promote safety.
Identify and resolve gaps in care during hospitalization, at discharge, and in the ambulatory care setting.
Assess patient data to anticipate changes in condition and establish interprofessional consultations as appropriate.
Lead the development and implementation of complex individual plans of care in collaboration with the interprofessional team and the patient, family, or caregiver.
Use evidence-based practice and scientific inquiry, including evaluating new knowledge and supporting practice changes and standards of care.
Identify gaps in practice standards and provide feedback to peers in collaboration with leadership.
Lead evaluation of patient and family experience and adjust care to improve satisfaction and quality.
Promote safe, compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health care and positive patient outcomes.