RN Clinical Staff Nurse-EmPATH-Full Time Days

The RN Clinical Staff Nurse – EmPATH – Full Time Days at MLK Community Hospital is a frontline clinical role providing comprehensive, patient-centered nursing care to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health, psychiatric, or emotional crises in an Emergency Psychiatry Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) environment. As a key member of the Healthcare & Medical Services department, this nurse delivers high-quality, culturally competent care to a diverse, historically underserved population in South Los Angeles, helping to stabilize patients quickly and support safe, timely transitions to the most appropriate level of care. Working in MLK Community Hospital’s modern, mission-driven setting, the RN Clinical Staff Nurse performs rapid assessments, prioritizes and implements evidence-based interventions, and coordinates closely with physicians, behavioral health specialists, social workers, and other interdisciplinary team members. The nurse performs triage, conducts ongoing mental and physical health assessments, monitors patients for changes in status, and responds promptly to signs of escalation or medical instability. Responsibilities include administering medications, initiating and monitoring IV therapy when indicated, performing suicide risk and safety assessments, and creating patient-centered care plans that reflect both behavioral health and medical needs. In the EmPATH unit, the RN focuses on creating a calm, therapeutic, and trauma-informed environment where patients can be safely observed, stabilized, and engaged in care. The nurse uses advanced communication skills and de-escalation techniques to support patients in crisis, minimize the use of restraints, and promote dignity, respect, and trust. The RN actively involves patients and their families or support systems in education, safety planning, and discharge planning, promoting understanding of diagnoses, medications, follow-up care, and community resources. As part of a safety-net hospital serving South Los Angeles, the RN Clinical Staff Nurse embraces MLK Community Hospital’s culture of equity, compassion, and accountability. The nurse collaborates across disciplines, champions diversity and cultural humility, and advocates for patients who may face social, economic, and language barriers to care. The role includes meticulous documentation in the electronic health record, adherence to all regulatory, safety, and infection-prevention standards, and participation in quality-improvement and patient-safety initiatives aimed at improving outcomes and patient experience. Working full time on day shifts, the RN Clinical Staff Nurse maintains strong time-management and organizational skills to manage a dynamic caseload, support efficient patient flow, and meet departmental throughput goals while maintaining safe staffing and high standards of clinical practice. The nurse precepts and mentors new staff as needed, participates in staff meetings and ongoing education, and contributes ideas that advance innovative care models for behavioral health and emergency services. This position offers the opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact in an underserved community, provide compassionate care to patients in crisis, and grow professionally in a collaborative, innovative environment. The RN Clinical Staff Nurse – EmPATH will thrive in this role by combining strong clinical judgment and behavioral health skills with empathy, resilience, and a deep commitment to MLK Community Hospital’s mission of delivering high-quality, patient‑first care to every person who walks through its doors. #J-18808-Ljbffr MLK Community Hospital