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Behavioral Health Rn information

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$15

$46

$80

How much do behavioral health rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health rn in Charlottesville, VA is $46.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.12 and $56.78 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 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.

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 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 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.

More about Behavioral Health Rn jobs

What cities near Charlottesville, VA are hiring for Behavioral Health Rn jobs?

Cities near Charlottesville, VA with the most Behavioral Health Rn job openings:

Behavioral Health Rn jobs near you
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Rn job openings in Charlottesville, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $96,627 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Registered Nurse - Behavioral Health Emergency Department

Augusta Health

Fishersville, VA • On-site

$36.75 - $54.11/hr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 20 hours ago

Augusta Health rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

682nd of 1,065 rated hospitals

Job description

The pay range reflects the current compensation range for this position at the time of posting. Individual offers are determined based on directly related experience, skills, education, internal equity, and other job-related factors. Not all candidates will qualify for the upper end of the posted range.

The Registered Nurse, Behavioral Health Emergency Services is responsible for the delivery of patient care for assigned patients on a specific shift worked. This role coordinates the nursing plan of care as well as carrying out physician orders and nursing standards of care using the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of patient care outcomes. This role also directs and guides other members of the patient care team while maintaining standards of professional nursing. Registered Nurse, Behavioral Health Emergency Services uses therapeutic communication and skills to manage behavioral health care in the emergency room setting
Required Qualifications:
  • Nursing Diploma and/or Associate Degree in Nursing.
  • Educational requirements per hospital certifications (Example: Stroke, Orthopedic/Spine.
  • Current and valid Registered Nurse license in the Commonwealth of Virginia or from a state that is part of a Compact agreement with Virginia.
  • BLS.
  • De-escalation certification within 30 days of hire and annually.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • BSN, MSN.
  • Specialty Certification.
  • One year experience in psychiatry, mental health care, and/or chemical dependency treatment.
  • One year experience in emergency room setting.
Skills:
  • Must be able to participate in crisis intervention techniques.
  • Human Rights Training.
  • Restraint Competency.
  • Practices within scope of Nurse Practice Act.
  • Clinical competence in all aspects of the preferred Emergency Department behavioral health unit and Crossroads.
  • Must demonstrate good leadership and communication skills.
  • Ability to meet physical and mental requirements for job in a fast paced, emergency care setting.
  • Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a safe environment and therapeutic milieu based on the age of the patients served.
  • Completion of annual Augusta Health education requirements and unit competencies. Knowledgeable of HIPPA.
  • Knowledgeable of location and content of departmental policies and procedures.
  • Must be able to provide the care needed as described in the department’s policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrates job related computer competence as seen in patient documentation and information retrieval.
  • Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in the Emergency
  • Room setting including the principles of growth and development over the life span.
  • Must possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient’s status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to the patient’s age specific needs.
Some benefits of working at Augusta Health include:
  • Generous paid time off to promote work life balance.
  • Free onsite parking.
  • Shift and weekend differentials.
  • Tuition reimbursement.
  • Onsite child care.

Company Information:
Augusta Health is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit, community health system located in Fishersville Virginia in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley. Augusta Health offers a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services which includes Augusta Medical Center a 255 bed inpatient facility and Augusta Medical Group which is comprised of 40 practice locations and four urgent care locations.
Equal Opportunity:
Augusta Health recruits, hires and promotes qualified candidates for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran or military discharge status, and family medical or genetic information.

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