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Behavioral Health Rn Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

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Behavioral Health Rn information

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$15

$44

$77

How much do behavioral health rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health rn in Ohio is $44.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.78 and $54.38 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 are Behavioral Health RNs?

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 Ohio? The most popular types of Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Ohio are:
What are popular job titles related to Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Ohio? For Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Ohio are hiring for Behavioral Health Rn jobs? Cities in Ohio with the most Behavioral Health Rn job openings:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Rn job openings in Ohio as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 50% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,599 per year, or $44.5 per hour.
Behavioral Health RN - PRN Weekends

Behavioral Health RN - PRN Weekends

ScionHealth

Dayton, OH • On-site

Per diem

Posted 11 days ago


ScionHealth rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

730th of 870 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Kindred Hospital Dayton and Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) is a 97-bed hospital. With 51 long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) beds, we offer the same in-depth care you would receive in a traditional hospital, but for an extended recovery period. Our 46-bed behavioral health unit offers treatment for adults ages 18+, including dedicated services for geriatric patients. The unit offers 24-hour supervised psychiatric treatment and crisis support for mental health issues and like the LTACH, we partner with your physician and offer 24-hour clinical care seven days a week so you can start your journey to wellness. We are located downtown Dayton near the I-75 and I-35 junction, to the west of the Great Miami River.
Job Summary
Provides planning and delivery of direct and indirect patient care through the nursing process of assessment planning, intervention, and evaluation. Develops nursing care plan in coordination with patient, family, and interdisciplinary staff as necessary. Communicates changes in patient's clinical condition with physicians, nursing supervisor/manager, and co-workers as appropriate. Participates in discharge planning process.
Essential Functions
  • Maintains the standard of nursing care and implements policies and procedures of the hospital and nursing department.
  • Directs, supervises, and evaluates nursing care provided to patients.
  • Assigns or delegates tasks based on the needs and condition of the patient, potential for harm, complexity of the task, and within scope of practice of the staff to whom the task is delegated.
  • Assigns nursing care team members in accordance with patient needs, team member's capabilities and qualifications.
  • Documents patient admission assessment and reassessments, patient care plans and other pertinent information, completely in the patient's medical record according to nursing standards and policies.
  • Performs assessment on all patients on admission and reassessments as per policy. Makes referrals to other disciplines based on assessment.
  • Develops nursing care plan of assigned patient on admission, updates plan of care as needed and ensures plan of care is coordinated with patient, family, and other members of the JD KBHS RN the team.
  • Administer medication utilizing the five rights of medication administration reducing the potential for medication errors.
  • Assesses and reassess pain. Utilizes appropriate pain management techniques. Educates the patient and family regarding pain management. Revises the plan of care as indicated by the patient's response to treatment and evaluates overall plan of effectiveness.
  • Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for patient's age. Receives physician's orders, ensures transcription is accurate and documents completion.
  • Formulates a teaching plan based upon identified learning needs and evaluates effectiveness of learning; family is included in teaching as appropriate. Assists physicians with examinations, treatments, and special procedures and performs services requiring technical and manual skills within scope of practice.
  • Performs treatments and provides services to the level of licensure.
  • Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
  • Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care. Interprets data about the patient's status to identify each patient's age specific needs and provide care needed by the patient group. Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
  • Initiates or assists with emergency measures for sudden adverse developments in patients' condition.
  • Answers telephone, paging system, patients' call lights, anticipates patients' needs, and makes rounds of assigned patients and responds as appropriate.
  • Consults other departments as appropriate to provide for an interdisciplinary approach to the patient's needs. Provides end of shift report to on coming nurse, narcotics are counted, documentation is complete, and physician orders signed off.
  • Communicates appropriately and clearly to management, co-workers, and physicians. Identifies and addresses psychosocial needs of patients and family; communicates with Social Service/Discharge Planner regarding both in hospital and post discharge needs.
  • Participates in orientation, instruction/training of new personnel. Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.
  • Performs other duties as requested.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations
  • Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Knowledge of medications and their correct administration based on age of the patient and their clinical condition.
  • Basic computer knowledge.
  • Able to organize tasks, develop action plans, set priorities and function under stressful situations.
  • Ability to maintain a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
  • Approximate percent of time required to travel:
  • Must read, write and speak fluent English.
  • Must have good and regular attendance.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education
  • Graduation from an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing, or Nursing Diploma program.

Licenses/Certifications
  • Current state licensure as Registered Nurse.
  • ACLS preferred.
  • BCLS certification.
  • Crisis prevention training and certification strongly preferred; mandatory completion within 90 days of hire.

Experience
  • Minimum one year in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

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