Behavioral Health Nurse Specialist
Job ID: 7531090036
Status: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Shift: Day Job
Work Arrangement: On-site
Facility: UPMC McKeesport
Department: 5C Behav Health
Location: 1500 Fifth Avenue, Mckeesport, PA
Union Position: No
Salary Range: $ 30.16-52.18 USD
Behavioral Health Nurse Specialist – Senior Level
Location: UPMC McKeesport Behavioral Health Unit
Schedule: Monday–Friday, Day Shift
Join an amazing team dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality behavioral health care in a community hospital setting!
We are seeking a full-time salaried Senior Behavioral Health Nurse Specialist to support our Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) at UPMC McKeesport. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with medical professionals and psychiatric providers, ensuring exceptional care for our patients.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with medical teams for psychiatric consults and gather collaborative data for psychiatrists.
- Complete mental health nursing screens and conduct chart reviews and audits.
- Prepare presentations based on audit findings to support quality improvement.
- Work with unit management on special projects and assist with initiatives that enhance patient care.
- Serve as a resource for behavioral health nursing expertise across the unit.
- Manages and provides patient care activities for a group of patients and their families through the application of independent assessment, judgment, communication and collaboration with all team members.
What Makes This Role Unique
- Collaborative Environment: Work alongside medical and psychiatric professionals in a dynamic setting.
- Impactful Work: Contribute to quality improvement and patient outcomes through audits and data-driven initiatives.
- Community Focus: Be part of a behavioral health unit within a community hospital, making a real difference locally.
Preferences
- Previous Behavioral Health nursing experience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects
Why UPMC McKeesport?
Our Behavioral Health Unit is a cornerstone of care in the community, offering a supportive environment for both patients and staff. You’ll join a team that values collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
Responsibilities:
- Demonstrates accountability for professional development that improves the quality of professional practice and the quality of patient care. Actively participates in respective councils and committees, , goal setting and supports the change and transition process to improve quality of care and the practice environment. Serves as a highly engaged and full partner on the care team and responds willingly to care team member needs for assistance and partnership. Participates in work that improves patient care and the professional practice environment. Adapts to change and demonstrates flexibility with the change process. Role models that change processes for other Behavioral Health Nurse Specialists and for dissemination of education and support to nursing teams for the care of BH patients
- Applies the nursing process within the framework of Relationship Based Care to create a recovery oriented and healing environment. Formulates daily objectives and collaborates on creating a plan of care for patients that involves the patient as partner and considers the individual needs of the patient in a holistic manner. Demonstrates critical thinking in the identification of clinical, social, safety, psychological and spiritual issues for the patient care within an episode of care. Practices solid communication skills and can articulate and translate the patient’s condition to other care providers and to negotiate and make recommendations for changes in patient care and management. Patient documentation is comprehensive and promotes communication between caregivers. Incorporates national professional organization as well as business unit and health system’s goals to improve patient safety, quality and satisfaction. Creates a caring and compassionate patient focused experience by building healing relationships with patients, families and colleagues.
- Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning principles and applies in education of patients, families, students and new staff. Provides detailed and appropriate education to patients and families to effectively guide them through the episode of care as well as transition to another level of care and/or home. Supports the development of students, new staff and colleagues, may serve as a preceptor. Creates and maintains a collaborative environment of open dialogue, inquiry and continuous development by asking for feedback and improving practice.
- Actively participates in department or quality improvement efforts. Identifies opportunity for quality improvement to colleagues and management. Identifies research issues or articles related to clinical specialty or areas of interest, discusses opportunities for quality improvement at multidisciplinary rounds, and influences patients’ plans of care.
- Develops and maintains productive working relationships internally and externally by demonstrating accountability for actions, enthusiasm, motivation and commitment to patients and colleagues. Demonstrates an understanding of cultural differences and holds peers accountable for healthy and respective inclusive relationships. Maintains a conscious balance between work and personal life. Models safe work hours, time management and healthy lifestyle. Communicates with peers and management any safety hazards identified in the workplace.
- Nurse has a strong knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses and be able to differentiate diagnosis on assigned patients. Monitors psychiatric, medical, psychosocial status of assigned team. Provides education and consultation regarding psychiatric treatment, management, and psychopharmacology, and consultative process or staff. Provides patient/family education around psychiatric medication/diagnosis as needed. Provides routinely scheduled staff education on clinical issues. Participate as an integral professional member of a multidisciplinary team. Assist with coordinating plan of care and discharge/transfer as needed. Participates in patient rounding/patient consults. Monitors and tracks commitment status and collaborates with others. Has knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and able to differentiate diagnosis on assigned patients. Initiates or reviews clinical documentation of all assigned patient and collaborates with the team, staying engaged in care planning and/or behavioral management support. Works with team and pharmacy to acquire medication prior authorization as needed. Attend family meetings as needed or interacts with families as needed. Reviews medical H & P, progress notes and summarize medical course. Performs psychiatric review of symptoms. Completes or reviews medical reconciliation a needed. Obtain collateral information from families and team. Assess for medication side effects ongoing which may include EPS, NMS, Serotonin Syndrome, Lithium toxicity, etc.
- Completes Drug and Alcohol inventory and assesses for any withdrawal symptoms. Reviews labs and documents any remarkable significant results. Completes physical exam as needed assessing for any abnormal movements, rigidity, cog-wheeling, weakness, gait problems. Completes violence, suicide, and homicide risk assessments and reassessments. Summarizes cases and pulls together findings in impression including lethality assessment. Offer preliminary recommendations in conjunction with attending psychiatrist especially re: any immediate safety needs and notify appropriate staff and engages safety planning efforts. Communicates all pertinent ongoing results to the psychiatrist. Check for resolution/worsening of any identified problems i.e. delirium. Completes follow-up visits as needed and clinically appropriate. Assists with facilitating transfers as needed.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 2 years of nursing experience required. BSN preferred.
- Annual completion of 2 professional contributions selected from department, hospital or system goals, and approved by Unit Director OR certification and 1 professional contribution selected from department, hospital or system goals, and approved by Unit Director as set forth through UPMC’s My Nursing Career Ladder. Certification not required if Master’s in nursing or DNP is held. If a BSN is held, a Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted in lieu of Certification.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse either in the state where the facility is located or in a state covered by a licensure compact agreement with the state where the facility is located. UPMC approved nursing certification preferred. Annual completion of 2 professional contributions selected from department, hospital or system goals, and approved by your Unit Director OR certification and 1 professional contribution selected from department, hospital or system goals, and approved by your Unit Director as set forth through UPMC’s My Nursing Career Ladder. Certification not required if master’s in nursing or DNP is held. - CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
- Comprehensive Crisis Management is required 30 days from date of hire with annual renewal prior to expiration date.
- Act 31/33/34/73 clearances.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Registered Nurse (RN) OR Temporary Practice Permit (TPP)
*Current licensure either in the state where the facility is located or, if the facility is in a state covered by the multistate Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, a multistate license issued by a participating NLC state. Hires and current employees working on an out-of-state NLC license who later change their residency to the state where the facility is also located will have 60 days upon changing their residency to apply for licensure within that state.
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
CAREER GROWTH
Grow Your Nursing Career
Spanning over 20 clinical specialties and more than 50 unique nursing roles, every nurse at UPMC can achieve and advance their goals with the My Nursing Career Ladder. Whether you’re looking to progress to an elevated role or continue your education, UPMC equips nurses with the resources, feedback, leadership, and benefits to help you succeed and achieve your career goals. Here’s how a few nurses have grown their careers through the years at UPMC:
Clyde C.
As a Professional Staff Nurse, Expert at UPMC Muncy, Clyde is a great example of someone who has taken advantage of UPMC’s My Nursing Career Ladder to grow his career while remaining in the same hospital location.
Clyde’s Career Journey:
⦁ 2017: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2021: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2022: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse II – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2022-present: Professional Staff Nurse, Expert – UPMC Muncy
Michelle B.
In her current role as a Professional Staff Nurse, Expert at UPMC Presbyterian, Michelle cares for patients with chronic and ongoing health issues as part of a Medical-Surgical unit. Michelle enjoys the daily change that Med-Surg nursing brings, and has found a career path that is interesting, meaningful, and full of opportunity.
Michelle’s Career Journey:
⦁ 2019: Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2020: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2021: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2021: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2022: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse II, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2023: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN, Expert – UPMC Presbyterian
INSURANCE SERVICES DIVISION OF UPMC
Advance Your Future
A career with UPMC means more than just caring for patients – when you’re a part of UPMC Insurance Services Division, it means caring for more than four million insurance members, too. UPMC Insurance Services Division offers a full range of health insurance products and services to our network across the country, providing peace of mind, better health, and financial security to our members, along with limitless career opportunities and a rewarding mission to those on our team.
About UPMC Insurance Services Division
As an integrated health care provider-insurer, UPMC goes beyond patient care to provide insurance products and services to millions of members. Our team partners with UPMC and community network providers to deliver knowledge and expertise that provides the highest quality care at the most affordable price, supporting our members through service, communication, and more.
Fast Facts:
- We provide insurance products and services to over more than four million members.
- UPMC’s Insurance Services Division offers a full range of health insurance options including UPMC Health Plan, Workpartners, UPMC for Life, UPMC for You, UPMC for Kids, UPMC Community HealthChoices, and Community Care Behavioral Health.
- UPMC Health Plan is among the nation’s fastest-growing health plans.
Opportunities on Our Team
We’ve got a job that’s just right for you! UPMC Insurance Services Division team offers a vast array of career paths and opportunities, from career areas like customer service, data analytics, and information technology and even patient care roles like social work, nursing, and care management.
Whether in non-clinical or patient-facing roles, our team impacts patients and members by providing quality experiences before, during, and after their care, building relationships in a unique and meaningful way.
Recognized for Excellence
Be a part of an award-winning team! UPMC Insurance Services Division has been recognized for outstanding care and service with awards that include:
- U.S. News and World Report named UPMC for Life a “Best Insurance Company for Medicare Advantage” in Pennsylvania for 2024.
- The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has named UPMC Health Plan an “Equality 100 Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion” for 2023–2024.
- UPMC for Life ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction* among Medicare Advantage Plans in Pennsylvania by J.D. Power.
- The Ethisphere Institute named UPMC as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the sixth consecutive year.
*Results are based on award-eligible plans in Pennsylvania by J.D. Power. For J.D. Power 2024 award information visit, jdpower.com/awards.
Jump-Start Your Career
Looking to launch a career with longevity and opportunity? With countless entry-level opportunities for recent graduates, along with tools and resources that empower you as you learn and grow, UPMC Insurance Services Division is the perfect place to get a career started.
Interested in taking your career to new heights? Our career paths and advancement opportunities will provide you with chances to achieve your goals at every step.
BENEFITS AND LIFE AT UPMC
We know that you have many options when choosing where to build your career. So why choose UPMC? We can think of a few reasons.
Work-Life Balance
Finding the ideal balance to manage the important elements in your life.
Development & Opportunities
Enhancing your career through continued learning opportunities and/or advancement.
Compensation
Receiving competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay.
Performance & Recognition
Rewarding performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC.
Benefits
Providing assistance and security to meet the current and future needs of you and your family.
Work-Life Balance
Finding the ideal balance to manage the important elements in your life.
Development & Opportunities
Enhancing your career through continued learning opportunities and/or advancement.
Compensation
Receiving competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay.
Performance & Recognition
Rewarding performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC.
Benefits
Providing assistance and security to meet the current and future needs of you and your family.
Benefits that Matter to You
We’re committed to providing benefits that meet your needs and support your well-being in all areas of life.
- Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
- Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
- Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
- Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
- Employer-paid life insurance
Benefits that Matter to You
We’re committed to providing benefits that meet your needs and support your well-being in all areas of life.
- Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
- Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
- Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
- Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
- Employer-paid life insurance
Benefits that Matter to You
We’re committed to providing our employees with benefits that meet their needs and support their well-being in all areas of life.
- Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
- Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
- Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
- Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
- Employer-paid life insurance
Support for You – and Your Family
Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Family planning resources
- Tuition assistance for dependents
- Comprehensive health care for dependents
- Emergency child and elder care options
- Flexible work arrangements
Support for You – and Your Family
Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Family planning resources
- Tuition assistance for dependents
- Comprehensive health care for dependents
- Emergency child and elder care options
- Flexible work arrangements
Support for You – and Your Family
Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.
- Flexibility to choose the shifts and work arrangements that work best for your lifestyle
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Family planning resources
- Comprehensive health care for dependents
- Emergency child and elder care options
A Culture That Cares
At UPMC, you can find a home among people who share your passions and care about who you are.
- Employee resource groups
- Awards for champions of dignity & respect
- Center for Workplace Culture and Engagement
- Programs for veteran engagement
A Culture That Cares
At UPMC, you can find a home among people who share your passions and care about who you are.
- Employee resource groups
- Awards for champions of dignity & respect
- Center for Workplace Culture and Engagement
- Programs for veteran engagement
A Culture That Cares
UPMC is a place where you can find a home, no matter your gender, race, sexual orientation, age, or culture, and where you can meet people who share your passions and care about you.
- Employee resource groups
- Awards for champions of dignity & respect
- Center for Workplace Culture and Engagement
- Programs for Veteran Engagement
Tools to Reach Your Potential
Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.
- Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
- Ongoing learning via LinkedIn Learning
- Accelerated career pathways for growth
- Robust instructor-led education and learning pathways
Tools to Reach Your Potential
Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.
- Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
- Ongoing learning via LinkedIn Learning
- Accelerated career pathways for growth
- Robust instructor-led education and learning pathways
Tools to Reach Your Potential
Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.
- Unlimited educational possibilities, including no-cost BSN and MSN programs
- Robust career ladders for every nurse – no matter your specialty, location, or career stage
- Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
- Ongoing learning opportunities
Expansive Opportunity
Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.
- 100,000 employees
- 40+ hospitals and 800+ doctors’ offices and outpatient sites
- Dozens of career ladders to climb
- International locations
- State-of-the-art technology
Expansive Opportunity
Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.
- 100,000 employees
- 40+ hospitals and 800+ doctors’ offices and outpatient sites
- Dozens of career ladders to climb
- International locations
- State-of-the-art technology
Expansive Opportunity
Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.
- 100,000 employees
- 40+ hospitals and 800+ doctors’ offices and outpatient sites
- International locations
- State of-the-art technology
Read More about Nursing at UPMC
After working as a nursing assistant for 16 years, Kendra took the leap to go back to nursing school and become an RN.
We asked our nurses to shed some light on what Med-Surg nursing means to them. Get to know Med-Surg nursing – in four words – from UPMC nurses!
Starting her career in Environmental Services, Leah shares how she fell in love with health care and became a nurse.
Read More about UPMC Insurance Services Division
In UPMC Insurance Services Division, analysts work to understand, innovate, and improve the products and services UPMC provides.
Eddie S. shares how his passion for football, fishing, and friendship shapes his life and his career with UPMC Health Plan.
We asked our nurses to shed some light on what Med-Surg nursing means to them. Get to know Med-Surg nursing – in four words – from UPMC nurses!
