Crisis Center Nurse (RN or LPN) PRN

Paragon Behavioral Health Connections

Paragon Behavioral Health Connections is a comprehensive behavioral health organization on a mission to positively impact individuals and families through compassionate, and client-centered care. Our mission is to deliver personalized care that uplifts our clients and builds supportive connections in communities. Through community based or in-home services, and digital solutions as needed, we meet clients where they areboth physically and emotionallyto provide the right support at the right time. Serving communities across Colorado, we deliver equitable and creative "one-stop" behavioral health servicesproviding in-home mental health and substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, early childhood support, intensive outpatient programs, assertive community treatment, medication management, wrap around support and more. We believe care should meet people where they are, both physically and emotionally. Our approach is rooted in understanding, respect, innovation, and community collaboration.

Our vision is to empower individuals and families with complex needs, helping them overcome challenges, build essential skills, and access the resources necessary to achieve long-term well-being. We offer a wide range of services, including step-down care from inpatient hospitalization for youth and adults, comprehensive support for children and families, and specialized treatment for adults facing depression, trauma, substance use, and other mental health needs.

Position Overview

Paragon is seeking a compassionate and skilled Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to serve as a frontline crisis care provider at our 24/7 Walk-In Crisis Center (WIC). This position plays a central role in our mission to function as a 'no wrong door' access point for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. You will deliver immediate triage, medical screening, stabilization, and coordinated care to adults, youth, and families presenting in crisis including those with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring conditions.

Key Responsibilities

Crisis Assessment & Triage

• Provide immediate walk-in access triage for individuals experiencing self-defined behavioral health crises
• Complete crisis screening and assessment within required timeframes per Colorado BHA Chapter 6 standards
• Conduct suicide and homicide risk assessments and administer validated tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, Columbia Protocol)
• Facilitate crisis intervention, de-escalation, and brief stabilization services
• Develop and document safety plans; provide lethal means counseling and restriction planning
• Engage family members and caregivers as appropriate to support stabilization
• After completing required Colorado training, initiate M-1/27-65 emergency mental health holds when clinically necessary to ensure client safety

Medical Services & Nursing Care

• Conduct comprehensive health assessments and ongoing monitoring for individuals receiving crisis services
• Monitor and document vital signs, perform basic health screenings, and administer point-of-care testing (urine drug screens, pregnancy tests, glucose monitoring)
• Administer medications including those used in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT/MOUD); monitor for side effects and treatment effectiveness
• Administer and track long-acting injectable medications as directed by prescribing provider
• Perform withdrawal assessment and monitoring using validated tools (CIWA, COWS); escalate appropriately
• Administer naloxone; support harm reduction interventions and naloxone distribution
• Under provider direction, enter laboratory and toxicology orders; track completion and follow up on results
• Coordinate with pharmacies; complete prior authorizations and support PDMP compliance
• Initiate emergency medical response and facilitate transfer when acute medical needs exceed WIC capacity

Substance Use Crisis Services

• Screen and assess individuals for substance use disorders using evidence-based tools
• Conduct intoxication assessment and management per clinical protocols
• Evaluate for MAT/MOUD initiation and continuation; coordinate bridge prescriptions when clinically indicated
• Support Emergency Commitment (EC) evaluations and processing
• Coordinate warm handoffs to detoxification, withdrawal management, and substance use treatment providers

Care Coordination & Disposition

• Determine appropriate level of care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team
• Provide warm handoffs and referrals to outpatient behavioral health, community stabilization, Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs), Behavioral Health Crisis Centers (BHCCs), inpatient psychiatric services and, via Provider support, to ER
• Coordinate transportation to appropriate levels of care
• Connect individuals to housing, food, case management, peer recovery, and social service resources
• Coordinate with school systems, criminal justice, and law enforcement as appropriate

Documentation & Team Participation

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the electronic health record per agency and regulatory standards
• Participate in daily team meetings and contribute to individualized crisis and treatment planning
• Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducational groups focused on wellness, recovery, and harm reduction
• Triage client needs to appropriate team members; support provider scheduling
• Promote trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive practices in all interactions

Qualifications

Required

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Colorado
• Valid Colorado driver's license and access to reliable transportation
• Current CPR/BLS certification
• Up-to-date vaccinations in accordance with agency and public health guidelines
• Minimum one to two years of experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or in crisis/emergency settings
• Ability to respond within 510 minutes when scheduled for after-hours on-call telehealth duty

Preferred

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for RN applicants
• Experience in community-based, psychiatric, crisis, emergency, or integrated care settings
• Familiarity with the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction principles
• Experience with MAT/MOUD administration and monitoring
• Familiarity with Colorado 27-65 emergency mental health hold procedures
• National certification such as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH-BC) or Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN)

Core Competencies

• Strong clinical assessment, decision-making, and critical thinking skills in high-acuity environments
• Compassionate, nonjudgmental, and client-centered approach
• Ability to de-escalate and stabilize individuals experiencing psychiatric and/or substance use crises
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a fast-paced multidisciplinary team
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in clinical documentation
• Cultural humility and demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice
• Ability to navigate ambiguous or rapidly evolving situations with composure
• Reliable availability during scheduled on-call periods; professional response time standards

Schedule & Work Structure

PRN

Part of a rotating team supporting 24/7/365 coverage

Salary Range

Commensurate with experience and licensure

Diversity & Inclusion

Paragon Behavioral Health Connections is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.