POSITION SUMMARY
Under the regular supervision of the nurse supervisor, collaborates with the physician, nurse practitioner, and other staff to provide
essential medical care to the inmates of the Spartanburg County Detention Facility. The Behavioral Health Nurse assesses, supports,
and treats patients with mental health conditions, emotional disorders, and substance use issues. They are vital in
helping inmates stabilize, manage symptoms, and develop coping skills.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Evaluate mental health states, identifying symptoms, risk factors, and vital signs to shape treatment decisions.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists and physicians to develop and update individualized patient treatment plans.
• Administer psychotropic medications, monitor for efficacy, track side effects, and educate patients.
• Utilize specialized de-escalation techniques and behavioral management during acute psychiatric episodes.
• Facilitate group activities and provide consistent emotional support to help patients develop coping strategies.
• Help patients prepare for transitions out of care by connecting them with community and outpatient follow-up.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• High-stress tolerance and the ability to calm agitated, confused, or uncooperative patients.
• Ability to perform rapid, accurate nursing assessments in dynamic environments.
• Establishing trusting, therapeutic relationships with vulnerable populations.
• Working seamlessly alongside social workers, therapists, and medical staff
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force
frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, lifting, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal
communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive
information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data,
determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not
subject to adverse environmental conditions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• High school graduate or G.E.D. equivalent.
• Possess a degree from an accredited school of professional nursing
• Current license as a Registered Nurse (RN) issued or accepted by the South Carolina Board of Nursing.
• Prior medical-surgical or psychiatric/behavioral health experience is generally required.
• Preferred: Basic Life Support (BLS); PMH-BC (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification)
LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• All regular full-time and part-time employees of Spartanburg County are required by state law to participate in the South
Carolina Retirement System.
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued in the state of South Carolina.