Charge Nurse - Inpatient Psychiatry 5 East Nights

Behavioral health nursing leadership requires equal parts clinical expertise, critical thinking, and compassionate presence. This role offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated psychiatric nursing team while making a meaningful impact on the recovery journey of adults experiencing acute mental health needs. 

As the Charge Nurse for UVA Health's Inpatient Psychiatry unit, you will serve as a frontline clinical leader who supports exceptional patient care, mentors nursing staff, and helps guide daily operations within a highly collaborative behavioral health environment. This is an opportunity to combine direct patient care with leadership responsibilities in one of Virginia's premier academic health systems. 

The Role 

Working within a 25-bed adult acute inpatient psychiatric unit, you will help shape both the patient experience and the professional practice environment. This licensed, non-forensic, milieu-based behavioral health unit cares for adults experiencing acute psychiatric conditions requiring a higher level of support and intervention than outpatient or crisis services can provide. 

As Charge Nurse, you will maintain a strong bedside presence while serving as a key operational and clinical resource for the team. You'll partner closely with psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, case managers, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive, recovery-focused care. 

This fast-paced environment provides exposure to patients with primary psychiatric diagnoses as well as individuals receiving medical detoxification services, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and substance use disorder support. The role offers a unique blend of clinical leadership, patient advocacy, staff mentorship, operational coordination, and direct hands-on nursing care. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Leading daily shift operations and coordinating unit workflow 

• Assigning and balancing patient care responsibilities across the nursing team 

• Serving as a mentor, coach, and clinical resource for nursing staff 

• Supporting admissions, treatment planning, and discharge processes 

• Participating in crisis intervention and behavioral de-escalation efforts 

• Promoting a safe, therapeutic milieu for both patients and staff 

• Monitoring quality, patient safety, and regulatory compliance initiatives 

• Advocating for patients and families throughout the care continuum 

• Supporting evidence-based psychiatric nursing practice and professional growth 

Why UVA Health 

At UVA Health, you'll join a nationally recognized academic health system where nurses have a voice in advancing patient care, professional practice, innovation, and research. As a Magnet-recognized nursing organization, UVA Health is committed to supporting nurses through professional governance, career development, continuing education, and leadership growth. 

The Inpatient Psychiatry team plays a vital role in addressing the growing behavioral health needs of the region, creating meaningful impact for patients and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. 

Highlights include: 

• Leadership opportunity with ongoing direct patient care involvement 

• Collaborative interdisciplinary behavioral health team environment 

• Academic medical center resources and professional development opportunities 

• Strong culture of teamwork, communication, safety, and evidence-based practice 

• Meaningful work supporting psychiatric stabilization, recovery, and reintegration 

• Opportunity to mentor and develop the next generation of psychiatric nurses 

• Access to a large, integrated health system known for innovation, research, and clinical excellence 

Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates 

Whether you are an experienced psychiatric nurse leader or a nurse ready to take the next step into unit leadership, UVA Health offers an environment where your expertise, judgment, and compassion can thrive.