Hospital for Special Care·New Britain, Connecticut
The Registered Nurse provides comprehensive care to patients in behavioral health and neurobehavioral units by assessing, planning, and evaluating physical and psychological needs. They are responsible for administering medications, coordinating patient activities, and maintaining a therapeutic environment through de-escalation techniques.
Position location: Hospital for Special Care
Scheduled weekly hours: 32
We are dedicated to creating an environment of care and engagement that makes us one of the most desirable places to work, providing exceptional care to each patient each and every day!
The Registered Nurse Behavioral Health Float functions within the team as a professional caregiver who assumes responsibility and accountability for providing quality care to patients and their families. Utilizing the nursing process, the Behavioral Health RN assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, and evaluates all aspects of patient care, considering the physical, psychological, environmental and social needs.
Physical demands
This job requires continuous periods of walking, standing, bending, reaching, with periodic sitting.
Occasional climbing, squatting, and kneeling as related to patient care.
Job requires the ability to lift or carry objects up to 10 pounds continuously, 20 pounds frequently and up to 40 pounds frequently for assisting with patient transfers and bed mobility.
Ability to push/pull up to 25 lbs. frequently for medication carts/equipment and 50 pounds occasionally for patient care and mobility activities.
In addition, this job requires frequent use of gross, fine motor and sensory skills in order to pass medications, perform assessments and treatments, and handle equipment used in patient care.
Cognitive demands
Job requires independent problem identification, abstract reasoning and adaptability to changing environments and information. Application of previously acquired knowledge, flexibility of thought, and organizational skills are necessary. Quick decision-making is required. A high degree of selective attention, discernment, perception and concentration is necessary.
Job requires a proficiency in English including attention to detail, adherence to all elements of style and ability to postulate. A working knowledge and familiarity with professional/medical terms and definitions is required.
Job requires a high degree of communication skills including expression of abstract/complex ideas, use of negotiation and active listening, and an ability to dialogue with multiple parties.
Job requires reading and auditory comprehension of abstractions and an ability to make inferences. A working knowledge and familiarity with professional/medical documentation is necessary.
Job requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with all units of measure, and the ability perform these operations with common and decimal fractions. Must be able to compute ratio, rate, percent, and perform arithmetic operation involving units of weights, measures and volume.
Essential functions
Performs comprehensive patient assessments within scope of practice.
Formulates, coordinates, and evaluates a goal-directed plan of care that is prioritized and based on patient outcomes. Addresses the plan of care according to the ANA standards of practice.
Coordinates patient activities for assigned group of patients to facilitate patient care outcomes ex: admission, discharge, transfers in collaboration with the treatment team.
Demonstrates competency in critical thinking.
Responds appropriately in an emergency situation as per Hospital for Special Care policies, protocols and standards.
Provides individualized, culturally competent care.
Administers medications according to HSC policies and standards, including documentation of medication administration.
Performs the role of charge nurse after completion of the charge role orientation.
Documents accurately according to HSC policy and ANA standards of practice in a timely thorough manner.
Participates in activities that promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
Demonstrates ability to utilize nursing and multidisciplinary standards, policies, protocols regulatory standards.
Demonstrates ongoing self-growth and professional development by attending educational in-services and /or conferences (internal/external).
The Registered Nurse Behavioral Health Float must maintain demonstrated competency to provide care on the Neurobehavioral Unit, the Autism Inpatient Unit, and at least one long-term care medical unit.
Demonstrates de-escalation techniques taught by the Hospital to minimize need for physical intervention.
Demonstrates ability to remain calm during a crisis situation as evidenced by the ability to make quick rational decisions and prioritize immediate patient care needs to maintain a therapeutic environment and ensure safety.
Candidates must be a Registered Nurse licensed in Connecticut with a valid driver's license and Safety-Care training. A Bachelor's degree in nursing and previous experience in psychiatry or developmental disabilities are preferred.
Market context
Connecticut nursing openings typically reflect steady demand in hospitals, long-term care, and outpatient settings, especially for RNs who can step into patient care quickly. These roles are competitive because employers often look for an active Connecticut RN license, BLS certification, and preferred specialty credentials, while education requirements may favor a BSN. On this platform, job requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving you research time; before applying, confirm your license status and match your certifications to the posting.
