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Behavioral Health Rn Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Behavioral Health Technician

Smithfield, NC · On-site

$18.84 - $26.77/hr

... RN to help develop the plan of care and assists in carrying out the plan of care for assigned ... BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT UNC Health Johnston offers a continuum of behavioral health services ...

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Behavioral Health Rn information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$13

$40

$69

How much do behavioral health rn jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral health rn in Raleigh, NC is $40.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.70 and $49.13 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 popular job titles related to Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Behavioral Health Rn jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Behavioral Health Rn jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Behavioral Health Rn job openings:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Health Rn job openings in Raleigh, NC as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $83,648 per year, or $40.2 per hour.
Behavioral Health Technician

Behavioral Health Technician

UNC HEALTH

Smithfield, NC • On-site

$18.84 - $26.77/hr

Full-time, Per diem

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.
Summary:
Under close supervision, responsible for providing a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients. Provides direct patient care and may conduct therapeutic group sessions under the direction and supervision of the RN. Provides input to the RN to help develop the plan of care and assists in carrying out the plan of care for assigned patients. Assists with the admission of new patients and orients new patients and families to the unit.
Certified Nursing Assistant required.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
UNC Health Johnston offers a continuum of behavioral health services to support individuals in crisis. The Behavioral Health Holding area in the Emergency Department provides a safe space for immediate psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and stabilization. The Behavioral Health Triage process ensures patients receive immediate care through timely assessments, medical clearance, and coordination with inpatient psychiatric services. The Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit delivers comprehensive treatment through therapy, education, and personalized care planning, helping patients stabilize, build coping skills, and prepare for safe discharge with ongoing support.
Responsibilities:
1. Aids patients in reality orientation, participates in behavior modification plans/therapy, provides informal support therapy to patients/families, provides verbal de-escalation of potentially aggressive patients, aids in the physical management of aggressive/out-of-control patients, facilitates age appropriate play for children, and monitors the therapeutic milieu activities on assigned unit to ensure that emotional and safety needs of patients are met.
2. Assists in interviewing patients and their families for routine admission data. Orients patients and families to the facility. Provides data input during team discussions and meetings to assist in developing therapeutic plans and objectives.
3. Interacts with patients on a one to one as well as small group basis. Facilitates assigned groups in ways which encourage and require maximum patient participation and interaction, appropriate to functional level of group members.
4. Observes, collects, and documents patient information obtained while providing care and promptly report significant changes in the patient's condition to a registered nurse or physician.
5. Provides direct personal care to patients as outlined in plan of care for routine activities of daily living including bathing, personal hygiene, feeding and dressing. Assists patients with position changes, range of motion exercises, transfers and walking. Obtains and records vital signs, intake and output amounts or other measures as delegated. Observes patients and assesses progress on daily basis and reports significant changes in patients' condition and/or behavior to supervising RN.
6. Provides protection and control for patients as required to ensure patient safety in the facility. Participates in restraining combative patients as necessary. Provides care and monitoring of patients in seclusion and/or restraint.
7. Reinforce routine teaching given to patients by the registered nurse or physician and document patient understanding of instructions. Distributes patient education materials at the request of patients and/or health care providers
Other Information
Other information:
Education Requirements:
• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
• Listed as a Nursing Assistant I by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification within 60 days from date of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Professional Experience Requirements:
• Requires one (1) year of relavent experience in a behavioral health environment.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff. Ability to work with, express sensitivity and understanding, and secure the cooperation of patients, including maintaining empathetic attitude towards patients. Ability to work with groups of patients or individuals in didactic or recreational groups. Ability to keep calm in stressful situations. Must be fluent in verbal and written English language. Capability to develop computer skills if not competent.
Job Details
Legal Employer: NCHEALTH
Entity: Johnston Health
Organization Unit: Behavioral Health IP
Work Type: Per Diem
Standard Hours Per Week: 4.00
Salary Range: $18.84 - $26.77 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Variable
Location of Job: US:NC:Smithfield
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This position is employed by NC Health (Rex Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a NC Health), a private, fully-owned subsidiary of UNC Heath Care System. This is not a State employed position.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.