Charge Nurse Behavioral Health Full-Time Nights

Join St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Idaho—where nationally recognized quality meets small-town heart. We’re proud to be recognized for excellence and patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, inclusion in Becker’s list of “Great Community Hospitals,” and U.S. News & World Report accolades for maternity care.
Here, you’ll find a teamwork-first culture, leaders who support you, and coworkers who genuinely have your back. New grads are welcome—we’re committed to training, mentoring, and helping you build confidence as you grow. And because we know great care starts with taking care of our people, we offer competitive benefits and a workplace you can feel good about.
If you’re looking for a place to do meaningful work, build a career, and feel proud serving your community—you belong at St. Joe’s.

Job Summary

The Psychiatric Charge Nurse provides leadership and clinical support during assigned shifts to ensure effective patient care delivery in an inpatient behavioral health setting. The role includes coordination of daily operations, assignment of patient care responsibilities, support and mentorship of nursing staff, and facilitation of communication with psychiatrists, physicians, therapists, and interdisciplinary teams. This position ensures adherence to quality, safety, and regulatory standards while promoting a therapeutic, safe, and patient-centered environment for patients experiencing behavioral health and psychiatric conditions.

Essential Functions

• Supervises nursing staff and oversees patient care activities during the assigned shift within the behavioral health unit.
• Assigns and adjusts patient care responsibilities based on patient acuity, safety concerns, and staff competencies.
• Provides direct nursing care as necessary, including assessments, interventions, medication administration, and documentation.
• Monitors patient behavior and clinical status to identify safety risks, escalation concerns, or changes in psychiatric condition.
• Coordinates therapeutic interventions and collaborates with psychiatrists, physicians, therapists, social workers, and interdisciplinary teams to support individualized treatment plans.
• Responds to behavioral emergencies, crisis situations, and codes utilizing approved de-escalation and intervention techniques.
• Ensures compliance with patient rights, suicide precautions, restraint/seclusion protocols, and behavioral health regulatory standards.
• Acts as a resource and mentor to team members and supports performance development.
• Participates in staff scheduling, performance evaluations, and ongoing education.
• Ensures appropriate staffing levels in collaboration with the House Supervisor.
• Maintains supply and equipment inventory, including safety-related equipment and medications.

• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and promotes a culture of safety, therapeutic communication, and trauma-informed care.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Strong clinical judgment and organizational skills.
• Effective leadership and team-building abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of behavioral health nursing practices, crisis intervention techniques, and therapeutic communication.
• Familiarity with psychiatric medications, behavioral health documentation standards, and electronic health record systems.
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to escalating patient behaviors and psychiatric emergencies.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond quickly to changing conditions.
• Physical ability to lift 50 lbs, stand/walk for prolonged periods, and assist with patient mobility and safety interventions.
• Demonstrates knowledge and use of personal protective equipment and adherence to infection control standards.
• Demonstrates professionalism, emotional resilience, and the ability to maintain therapeutic boundaries in a behavioral health environment.

Education

• Postsecondary (Cert/Diploma/Program Grad) from an accredited school of nursing (Required) And
• Bachelor’s Degree in nursing (Preferred)

Licenses/Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure in the state of practice Upon Hire (Required)
• BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required)
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support Within Facility-Specified time frame (May be Required-Facility Specific)
• NCI -Non-violent Crisis Intervention or current program Within Facility-Specified time frame (May be Required-Facility Specific)

Experience

• 2+ years experience as a Registered Nurse with demonstrated clinical competence in behavioral health or psychiatric nursing (Preferred) And
• 1+ years leadership or charge experience (Preferred)