Important To Note: The Residential Crisis Stabilization Unit is not currently open. We are anticipating opening around July, and are actively looking for staff to onboard and train in preparation for our opening. If you are needing to start employment within the next 30 days, this may not be the position for you.

Position Summary

Why This Role Matters

When someone is in acute psychiatric crisis in Southwest Virginia, the options have historically been narrow: an ER bed they don't medically need, a jail cell they shouldn't be in, or a state hospital admission that could have been avoided with the right intervention at the right time. Our RCSU exists to be that right intervention.

You will be the clinical nursing leader of this unit from day one. You'll set the standard for how nursing care is delivered, how medications are managed, how emergencies are handled, and how our nursing team grows. You'll work directly alongside our prescribers (NP/MD/PA), interdisciplinary clinical staff, and operations leadership. This is a real leadership role with real scope, not a charge nurse title in disguise.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

What You'll Own

Nursing Leadership & Supervision (≈40% of the role)

• Provide direct supervision of all RCSU nursing staff in accordance with Virginia Board of Nursing requirements.
• Ensure adequate nursing coverage 24/7 across the unit,  including building the schedule, managing call-outs, and recruiting/onboarding new nursing staff.
• Serve as the on-call clinical resource for nursing staff via phone, providing clinical guidance, escalation triage, and judgment calls when something happens at 2 AM and the floor nurse needs a senior voice.
• Lead nursing performance management, training, and competency development.
• Ensure your team operates in compliance with Virginia Board of Nursing, DBHDS, DMAS, OSHA, and Office of Human Rights requirements, including documentation standards and policy adherence.

Direct Clinical Care (≈40% of the role)

• Complete nursing assessments at admission and ongoing evaluation of physical and behavioral health, under the direction of the NP.
• Administer prescribed medications, monitor for side effects, and document in the MAR.
• Assist prescribers with psychiatric and physical healthcare needs, medication reconciliation, lab coordination, ongoing monitoring.
• Maintain accurate nursing documentation (vitals, meds, interventions, clinical observations) within the 24-hour Virginia Medicaid documentation window.
• Educate clients on medications, physical health, wellness, and self-care.
• Respond to medical and psychiatric emergencies, first aid, CPR/BLS, and emergency interventions per agency protocol.
• Monitor for safety risks including suicide precautions, medical deterioration, and withdrawal symptoms.

Operations & Compliance (≈20% of the role)

• Maintain inventory of medications, first aid supplies, and controlled substances per agency and regulatory standards.
• Ensure infection control, medication management, and OSHA compliance across the unit.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute to Individualized Service Plans (ISPs).
• Support audits and accreditation reviews with documentation and operational backup.
• Report incidents, behavioral concerns, and suspected abuse/neglect per agency protocol.

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000/$10k Sign-On for Well Qualified

• 2 weeks PTO
• 2 paid Mental Health Days
• Group Health Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Free CEUs
• State License Fee Reimbursement

Read This First: Hard Requirements

This is a licensed RN leadership position in a DBHDS-licensed Residential Crisis Stabilization Unit (RCSU) serving adults in acute psychiatric and behavioral health crisis. Before reading further, please confirm:

• You hold an active, unrestricted RN license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• You have at least 3 years of RN experience, with at least 1 year in behavioral health, emergency services, addiction/SUD treatment, or residential crisis settings.
• You are comfortable with 24/7 phone consult availability for nursing staff (this is not 24/7 on-site work — it is on-call clinical guidance for the team).
• You have current BLS (or willing to obtain immediately), DBHDS-compliant medication administration training, and de-escalation training (CPI, Handle With Care, or equivalent — or willingness to certify within 60 days of hire).
• You have a valid Virginia driver's license.

If any of the above is not true for you, this role is not the right fit, and your application will not move forward. RCSUs are high-acuity environments. We staff them with experienced nurses.

Salary : $80,000 - $90,000