ED Behavioral Health- Nurse Team Lead- 32hr

Connecticut Children's; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Connecticut Children’s in Hartford is seeking a highly skilled registered nurse to provide direct professional nursing care for pediatric behavioral health patients throughout each episode of service.

The role emphasizes clinical practice, teamwork, documentation, patient/family education, and leadership within the unit, with opportunities to mentor staff and participate in quality improvement while ensuring safety and compliance with policies.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered nurse with CT licensure.
• BSN preferred.
• Experience in pediatric behavioral health preferred.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct professional nursing care for pediatric behavioral health patients.
• Lead unit teamwork and coordinate with staff.
• Document care per policy.
• Participate in quality improvement and safety initiatives.

Skills

Nursing

Behavioral health

Leadership

Communication

De-escalation

Education

Registered Nurse license (CT)

BSN preferred

Job description

Job Description

Under general supervision, plans and provides direct professional nursing care for specified patients throughout the entire episode of service delivery as defined by population and unit. Provides nursing services to patients and families in accordance with the standards of practice of a professional nurse, Connecticut Children’s policies & procedures, TJC, and state & federal regulations. The roles and responsibilities include clinical, logistic, and administrative duties. The Team Leader demonstrates autonomy, behavioral health clinical expertise, and excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

CLINICAL PRACTICE – On a daily basis demonstrates clinical expertise and uses the nursing process to provide safe, appropriate patient care to a defined patient population according to Connecticut Children’s and unit policies and standards.

POPULATION SPECIFIC – Demonstrates knowledge of the differences and needs of patients presenting with behavioral health concerns and applies them to practice. Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients, families and co‑workers.

UNIT LEADERSHIP – Fosters effective team dynamics among staff, using clear communication to support patient, family and staff safety. Participates in the professional development of others through preceptor/mentor activities. Supports the unit/department’s work productivity and resource management activities.

• Participates in the selection, hiring and orientation process for behavioral health unit staff; partners with nurse manager in educational phases of the performance management process (planning, ongoing feedback/coaching, check‑ins) for staff working with behavioral health patients.
• Identifies shift equipment, supply and services issues; communicates with appropriate personnel, and follows through to resolve resource issues.
• Participates in a variety of administrative managerial activities such as the development, implementation, and enforcement of unit policies and procedures; assists with follow‑up of behavioral health related incident reports.
• Drives success within the team to achieve unit and department scorecard goals.

DOCUMENTATION & COMMUNICATION – Completes all required documentation in a timely manner, according to Connecticut Children’s policies and standards, and effectively communicates necessary information to all members of the healthcare team.

PATIENT/FAMILY PARTNERSHIP & EDUCATION – Partners with the patient and family in evaluating outcomes. Monitors, trends, and evaluates patient/family responses to treatment. Provides appropriate education to patients and families regarding all aspects of care according to Connecticut Children’s policies and standards; supports the organization’s efforts to patient/family education.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT – Demonstrates commitment to continuous quality improvement; leads change processes for behavioral health by coordinating with the behavioral health quality improvement activities in conjunction with the unit‑based councils for the department or organization. Collaborates with the nurse manager in the review and development of behavioral health policies and procedures. Implements improvements, ensuring appropriate education of affected staff and an ongoing system for monitoring and evaluation. Identifies clinical issues and promotes quality improvement and/or research activities directed toward improving patient care.

CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S STANDARDS – Demonstrates support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors consistent with the Connecticut Children’s standards.

Position Specific Role Responsibilities

• Serves as a nurse for patients presenting with behavioral health concerns in the Emergency Department.
• Fosters teamwork, consistency, and collaboration among colleagues supporting patient, family and staff safety.
• Develops a working understanding of medico‑legal implications of evidence handling and preservation.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Delegates duties and tasks associated with patient care to clinical staff, including unlicensed assistive personnel according to hospital policy and their scope of practice.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Required

• Must possess a degree or diploma from an accredited nursing program for registered nurses.

Education and/or Experience Preferred

• BSN preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ clinical experience in pediatrics, emergency, and/or behavioral health setting preferred.

License and/or Certification Required

• Current State of Connecticut Registered Nurse licensure is required upon hire and maintained thereafter.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR in adult, child & infant is required upon hire and maintained thereafter.
• Specialty licensure/certification may be required, as specified by department.

Position Specific Job License and/or Certification Required

• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training is required within 3 months of hire and maintained thereafter.
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 6 months of hire into position, or before completion of orientation if this is longer than 6 months, and maintained thereafter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles, techniques, and practice of professional nursing.
• Common behavioral health/psychiatric diagnosis, medications, concepts, and evidence‑based therapeutic interventions and treatments.
• State regulations regarding nursing practice.
• Clinical standards of care; documentation and patient record policies and standards.
• Teaching techniques; identification of learning needs and provision of patient/family education.
• Developmental and population‑specific patient and family assessment techniques and how to apply them to practice.
• Accreditation and certification requirements and standards.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Effective de‑escalation techniques.
• Basic proficiency in the utilization of personal computers in a networked Windows‑based healthcare environment to access related software applications; locate, open, edit and print files and information utilized by the unit; and use the Internet as a research tool.

Abilities:

• Work individually or within teams and/or organizations within the medical and research community.
• Make clinical and procedural decisions using the nursing process.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Delegate appropriately to ancillary staff.
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups both orally and in writing.
• Maintain excellent professional boundaries.
• Maintain professional composure, including during stressful/difficult, and/or critical situations.

About Us

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut that is 100% dedicated to children. Established on a legacy that spans more than 100 years, Connecticut Children’s offers personalized medical care in more than 30 pediatric specialties across Connecticut and in two other states. Our transformational growth establishes us as a destination for specialized medicine and enables us to reach more children in locations that are closer to home. Our breakthrough research, superior education and training, innovative community partnerships, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion provide a welcoming and inspiring environment for our patients, families and team members.

At Connecticut Children’s, treating children isn’t just our job – it’s our passion. As a leading children’s health system experiencing steady growth, we’re excited to expand our team with exceptional team members who share our vision of transforming children’s health and well-being as one team.