Behavioral Health Specialist/UKHC

U K Healthcare Ltd; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 61,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky Healthcare (UKHC) is seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist to support adult and pediatric patients with psychiatric, behavioral, and substance use issues on medical-surgical units.

The RN in this role will serve as an expert resource, work with psychiatric and addiction consult services, and provide guidance to nurses and teams, including leading BERT responses within Kentucky Children's Hospital, Good Samaritan, and Chandler Medical Center.

Qualifications

• BSN degree is required.
• RN license and PMH nursing certification within 6 months of hire.
• 3+ years related nursing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct nursing consultation and mentoring to care teams.
• Collaborate with psychiatric and addiction consult services.
• Lead Behavioral Health Emergency Response Team (BERT) responses to psychiatric emergencies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

BSN

RN license

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification within 6 months

Job description

Posting Details
Job Title Behavioral Health Specialist/UKHC
Requisition Number RE55940
Working Title Behavioral Health Specialist
Department Name H3500:CH-PSYCH
Work Location Lexington, KY
Grade Level 11
Salary Range $29.12-45.70/hour
Type of Position Staff
Position Time Status Full-Time
Required Education BSN
Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience 3 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification Registered Nurse (RN) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification within 6 months of hire
Physical Requirements The essential functions for this position include the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull 50-100 pounds on a daily basis and 25-50 pounds frequently; as well as stand, walk and sit for long periods of time. The conditions of work may involve exposure to communicable diseases, hazards of radiation, and injury from intractable patients or sharp instruments
Shift Must be able to work three 12-hour shift per week, 7:00pm-7:00am; may include some weekends per departmental needs
Job Summary The University of Kentucky Healthcare ( UKHC ) Enterprise is seeking a Behavioral Health Specialist. The Behavioral Health Specialist will support the care of adult and pediatric patients on medical surgical units who have psychiatric, behavioral, and/ or substance use issues. This nurse will act as an expert resource and work collaboratively with the psychiatric and addiction consult services. This nurse will support patient care through direct nursing consultation, coaching/mentoring, learning needs assessment, formal and informal education, and providing guidance to the nurses and team. This nurse will lead Behavioral Health Emergency Response Team ( BERT ) responses to psychiatric emergencies within the Kentucky Children's Hospital, Good Samaritan, and Chandler Medical Center
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities The ideal candidate will be an experienced RN, hold a BSN , and will have strong interpersonal skills. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification within one year of hire
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience BSN required, MSN preferred along with nursing experience in behavioral health setting(s)
Deadline to Apply 10/21/2026
Our University Community We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen