Actively Hiring | Nurse Manager I Behavioral Health

Job Title: Nurse Manager – Behavioral Health

Location : Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center

Department: Behavioral Health / Inpatient Psychiatry

Reports To: Director of Nursing / Vice President of Patient Care Services

Employment Type: Full-time

Shifts : DAYS - 5 DAYS PER WEEK - 8A-430P. No RTO 

Job Summary:

The Nurse Manager – Behavioral Health oversees the daily operations, clinical care delivery, and staff performance within the Behavioral Health Unit. This role ensures high-quality, patient-centered psychiatric care in compliance with hospital policies, professional nursing standards, and state and federal regulations. The Nurse Manager provides strong clinical leadership, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative and clinical leadership for the Behavioral Health Unit, ensuring safe, therapeutic, and evidence-based care.
• Supervise and support nursing staff, ensuring adherence to hospital policies, standards of practice, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee daily operations including staffing, scheduling, performance evaluations, and workflow coordination.
• Collaborate with the Director and multidisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes, care processes, and compliance with JCAHO, NYSDOH, and other governing bodies.
• Manage patient admissions, discharges, and treatment coordination to ensure seamless transitions of care.
• Lead and participate in Performance Improvement (PI) and Quality Assurance (QA) activities; track data to identify trends and implement corrective action.
• Prepare and maintain reports and records required by regulatory agencies (OMH, DOH, DOHMH, ACS).
• Ensure proper staff training in crisis management, de-escalation, and safety procedures.
• Oversee supply and budget management for the department.
• Promote professional development, continuing education, and competency-based learning for staff.
• Provide operational leadership and coverage on a 24-hour basis as needed.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Minimum five (5) years of experience as a Registered Nurse (RN).
• Minimum five (5) years of clinical experience in psychiatry or behavioral health.
• Minimum two (2) years of leadership or management experience.
• Strong understanding of behavioral health regulations, compliance standards, and quality metrics.
• Proficiency in EHR systems and healthcare documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, resolve conflicts, and manage complex clinical operations.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered psychiatric care.

Education:

• Required: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) or Healthcare Administration.
• Certifications & Licensure:
• Active Registered Nurse (RN) License in the State of New York.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification – required.
• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification – required.
• Crisis Management Certification (PMCS or TRUST) – required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous management experience in an acute inpatient psychiatric setting.
• Knowledge of CQI and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies.
• Experience developing and implementing evidence-based behavioral health programs.