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Behavioral Health Rn Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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Behavioral Health Rn information

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$15

$45

$78

How much do behavioral health rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health rn in Illinois is $45.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.36 and $55.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a behavioral health RN do?

The job duties of a behavioral health RN revolve around providing patient care in a mental health capacity. You work with psychologists, psychiatrists, and physicians to offer psychiatric and behavioral care. As a behavioral health nurse, you perform duties such as helping patients perform exercises to change thought patterns or habits. You may also assist with relaxation techniques for stress management or pain management. With specialized training, you may also employ biofeedback techniques or work with clients on long-term therapies such as personality development and behavior modification.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a behavioral health RN, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Behavioral Health RN, you need a nursing degree, RN licensure, and expertise in mental health assessment and crisis intervention. Familiarity with behavioral health documentation systems, de-escalation tools, and relevant certifications like BLS or PMH-BC is typically required. Strong communication, emotional resilience, and empathy are vital soft skills for supporting patients and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring safe, effective care and fostering a therapeutic environment for individuals facing mental health challenges.

What are some typical challenges a behavioral health RN might encounter when working with patients in a mental health setting?

Behavioral Health RNs often face challenges such as managing unpredictable patient behaviors, de-escalating crisis situations, and balancing the emotional demands of supporting individuals with complex mental health needs. They must also maintain clear and compassionate communication with both patients and interdisciplinary team members, while adhering to strict safety protocols. Successfully navigating these challenges requires resilience, adaptability, and strong teamwork skills within a supportive mental health care environment.

What is the difference between Behavioral Health Rn vs Psychiatric Nurse?

AspectBehavioral Health RnPsychiatric Nurse
CredentialsRegistered Nurse (RN) license, possibly additional behavioral health certificationsRegistered Nurse (RN) license, often with psychiatric or mental health certifications
Work EnvironmentHospitals, mental health clinics, community health settingsPsychiatric hospitals, mental health units, outpatient clinics
Employer & IndustryHospitals, mental health facilities, outpatient centersPsychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics, residential facilities
Common Search & ComparisonBehavioral Health Rn vs Psychiatric Nurse

Both roles involve providing mental health care, but Behavioral Health Rns often work in diverse settings with a focus on behavioral health interventions, while Psychiatric Nurses typically work specifically within psychiatric hospitals or units. The credentials and work environments overlap significantly, making them closely related roles in mental health care.

What is a behavioral health RN?

Behavioral Health Registered Nurses (RNs) are specialized nurses who care for patients experiencing mental health issues, emotional disorders, or substance abuse problems. They work in settings such as psychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics, and residential treatment centers. Their responsibilities include assessing patients’ mental health needs, administering medications, developing care plans, and providing support to patients and their families. Behavioral Health RNs collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care and promote patient recovery.
More about Behavioral Health Rn jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Illinois are:
What job categories do people searching Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Behavioral Health Rn jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Behavioral Health Rn job openings:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Rn job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,384 per year, or $45.4 per hour.

Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health

UnityPoint Health

Rock Island, IL • On-site

$32.73 - $49.09/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


UnityPoint Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 361 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

266th of 887 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview
$10,000 Sign-On Bonus
Shift: Full Time; 2:45 PM - 11:15 PM
Join Our Behavioral Health Nursing Team at the Robert Young Center. Under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager, the Registered Nurse provides acute nursing care to behavioral health patients, guided by the Robert Young Center's Trauma-Informed Care principles. In this role, you will promote mental wellness through comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of behavioral health conditions and co-occurring disorders across the lifespan. You will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop individualized care plans, support safe discharges, and ensure continuity of care.
At the Robert Young Center, our specialists provide inpatient and emergency mental health services to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Psychiatric nurses are central to this work-managing both psychiatric and medical needs in inpatient and outpatient settings. In the inpatient program, you will ensure consistent implementation and follow-through of treatment plans across all shifts, contributing to safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
Why UnityPoint Health?
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We're proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you're in. Here are just a few:
  • Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
  • Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
  • Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities
  • Uses the nursing process to deliver high quality care appropriate to the age and educational level of the patient.
  • Collects and synthesizes comprehensive health data that are pertinent to the healthcare consumer's health and/or situation.
  • Develops a plan to attain expected outcomes.
  • Analyzes the assessment data to determine diagnoses, problems, and areas of focus for care and treatment, including level of risk.
  • Implements a specified plan: Coordinates care delivery, employs strategies to promote health and a safe environment; uses knowledge of pharmacological, biological and complimentary interventions to restore health and prevent further disability; provides structure and maintains a safe therapeutic recovery oriented environment; uses the therapeutic relationship and counseling interventions to assist health care consumers.

Qualifications
Education:
  • Diploma from an RN program.

License(s)/Certification(s):
  • Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in primary state.
    • Must apply within 90 days for licensure in secondary state.
  • Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
  • Must possess and maintain ACLS

*Specific offers are determined by various factors, such as experience, skills, internal equity, and other business needs. The salary range listed does not include other forms of compensation which may include bonuses/incentive, differential pay, or other forms of compensation or benefits that may be applicable to this role.
#RNpositionsQC

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About UnityPoint Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At UnityPoint Health, we provide care in nine regions throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. As the nation's fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, UnityPoint Health keeps people at the center of all we do. We are looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team. You'll find opportunities for every sized dream.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1995