RN Manager of Behavioral Health

Merit Health Central; Bradie (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Merit Health Central in Mississippi seeks an RN Manager of Behavioral Health to lead daily operations, ensuring safe and compassionate psychiatric services while driving quality improvement under regulatory standards. This role oversees staffing, documentation, and interdepartmental collaboration.

You will mentor staff, manage the department budget, and coordinate with physicians and teams to foster a therapeutic environment that supports patient recovery and staff engagement.

Qualifications

• RN with state licensure required.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred for leadership roles.
• 2–4 years of nursing and 2–4 years of leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily Behavioral Health unit operations and staffing.
• Leads quality improvement and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Collaborates with physicians, social services, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Mentors staff and supports professional development.
• Ensures accurate documentation in EMR and maintains performance standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

Healthcare software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Competitive Compensation – Salary and benefits package designed to reward your expertise, leadership, and contributions.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options to support you and your family.
• Future Security – 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching to help you build long-term financial stability.
• Generous Paid Time Off – Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) to support work-life balance and personal well-being.
• Career Growth Opportunities – Professional development, leadership training, and advancement opportunities across our organization.
• Recognition & Reward Programs – We celebrate employee achievements and contributions to our success.
• Exclusive Employee Discounts & Perks – Access to special savings and benefits designed for our team members.

Role: RN Manager of Behavioral Health

Location: Merit Health Central

Schedule: Day Shift Hours

Job Summary

The Manager, Behavioral Health assists leadership in planning, coordinating, and evaluating the delivery of safe, effective, and compassionate psychiatric and behavioral health services. This role ensures compliance with regulatory standards, supports quality improvement initiatives, and promotes a therapeutic environment that fosters patient recovery and staff engagement. The Manager supervises daily operations, mentors staff, and applies clinical and administrative expertise to ensure optimal patient outcomes and departmental performance.

Essential Functions

• Oversees day-to-day clinical operations within the Behavioral Health unit, ensuring efficient workflows, adequate staffing, and adherence to hospital and regulatory standards.
• Utilizes the nursing process to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the delivery of age‑appropriate, evidence‑based psychiatric care.
• Collaborates with physicians, social services, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care and effective treatment planning for behavioral health patients.
• Provides ongoing education and competency development for behavioral health staff on clinical procedures, de‑escalation techniques, and best practices in mental health care.
• Ensures accurate and timely documentation of patient care and staff communications within the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervision and Staff Management
  • Provides leadership, mentorship and professional development opportunities for departmental staff.
  • Schedules employees to ensure effective use of resources. Consults with Director on staffing issues.
  • Conducts performance evaluations, sets goals and provides feedback to staff on their performance and development.
• Strategic Planning and Financial Oversight
  • Develops and manages departmental budget ensuring cost effective operations while maintaining high quality service.
  • Monitors expenditures, ensuring cost‑effective delivery of services.
  • Evaluates and implements new technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Develops and implements departmental policies and procedures and protocols to optimize quality and overall efficiencies.
• Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensures compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies. May oversee the accreditation process with relevant agencies ensuring that services meet or exceed industry standards.
  • Participates in audits, inspections and accreditation processes as applicable.
  • Follows established quality control practices to ensure accuracy, consistency and safety.
• Collaboration and Communication
  • Works closely with leadership teams to coordinate and improve service delivery.
  • Stays up‑to‑date with industry advancements, new technologies, and regulatory changes.
• Staff Responsibilities
  • May work in a staff role, when required. Ensures that duties and responsibilities are fulfilled while meeting all competencies established for that job.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Nursing required
• Bachelor's Degree or higher preferred
• 2-4 years of experience in closely related field required
• 2-4 years of previous leadership experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and manage cross‑functional relationships.
• Foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate effectively with leadership, team members, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with others, delegate responsibilities, and independently manage tasks while meeting established deadlines.
• Problem‑solving and critical thinking skills.
• In depth knowledge of industry best practices and regulatory compliance (if applicable).
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency with Google and Microsoft platforms, healthcare software systems, and data analysis tools.

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure required
• BLS - Basic Life Support required

Why Work at Merit Health Central? AtMerit Health Central, we’re more than healthcare providers, we’re a team dedicated to compassionate care and community wellness. Join us for a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of our patients every day. Your skills, your passion, and your commitment matter here.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer.