Registered Nurse - Inpatient

Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility Registered Nurse Position

Registered Nurses (RNs) at Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility play a vital role in delivering high-quality psychiatric care to our patients. Under the supervision of the Director of Nursing and the Hospital Administrator, RNs provide both direct and indirect patient care using sound clinical judgment in a fast-paced, team-based environment.

Core responsibilities include conducting comprehensive patient assessments, administering medications in accordance with safety protocols, coordinating interdisciplinary care, and supporting patients throughout their inpatient hospitalization. RNs are expected to plan, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans while ensuring compliance with facility policies, nursing standards, and applicable regulatory guidelines.

This role involves the performance of clinical procedures within scope and in coordination with medical providers. A strong commitment to patient-centered care, safety, and collaboration is essential for success in this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive and focused physical assessment relative to presenting complaints drug and/or alcohol withdrawal, and mental health status.
• Relates and interprets collected data and initial evaluations to mental health professional staff in the design of appropriate medical treatment plans for patients.
• Consistently applies preventative principles of Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training, and performs physical restraint protocols consistent with Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training when necessary.
• Administers treatment, drugs, and medicines as prescribed by physicians or standing protocol for basic and emergent medical and/or mental health conditions.
• Maintains accurate and concise patient documentation in the Electronic Health Record or paper charts; records, observes, identifies, interprets, documents, and reports changes in patient's condition; reviews patient records to keep informed of patient's health status.
• Responds to medical or psychiatric emergencies throughout the facility and takes appropriate action within standardized procedures and guidelines. Performs Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Becoming LPS designated is a requirement of this role. RNs must complete required LPS training, pass the certification exam, and maintain active designation status to assess patients for 5150 holds and determine continued hold criteria.
• Maintains all required credentials and completes additional regulatory requirements as directed by the facility, including but not limited to obtaining and maintaining an individual National Provider Identifier (NPI) and completing Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) training and certification, including successful completion of the LPS exam when eligible.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing
• Active and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license issued by the State of California
• Demonstrated knowledge and competencies in behavioral health nursing, including familiarity with DSM-5 diagnoses and psychiatric medications (e.g., antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, anxiolytics)
• Knowledge of medical or psychiatric emergency procedures
• Ability to assess, monitor, and care for adult psychiatric patients in an inpatient setting
• Understanding of psychiatric regulations, HIPAA, patient rights, and applicable accreditation standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, Title 22)
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a behavioral health, healthcare, or hospital setting (role-specific equivalent acceptable)
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, composed, and effective in high-stress or crisis situations
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across disciplines and departments
• Demonstrated sound professional judgment; clinical judgment where applicable to licensure/role
• Proficiency in the use of computers and standard keyboard functions for data entry and electronic documentation
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to read, write, and communicate fluently in English
• Current CPR, BLS, and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• ANCC Certification in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMHN)
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a behavioral health, healthcare, or related human-services setting (role-specific equivalent acceptable)
• Prior experience using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for documentation and coordination of care
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams) and/or cloud-based communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, or other languages commonly spoken by the patient population
• Crisis prevention/intervention training (e.g., HWC, CPI, PMAB) or de-escalation certification
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and culturally responsive practices
• Leadership experience or demonstrated capacity to mentor others

Benefits

• $2.00/hour shift differential for eligible NOC (overnight) shifts
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for qualifying employees
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and advancement within the organization

Physical & Mental Requirements

• Independent body mobility to frequently stand, walk long distance corridors, descend and the ability to bend, stoop and sit for a prolonged time.
• May require significant strength and alertness in a crisis to apply non-violent crisis intervention to containment techniques, or to provide CPR.
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to safely assist with the physical management, lifting, or repositioning of adult patients, including those who may be physically resistive or assaultive, potentially weighing 100 pounds or more, in accordance with facility safety protocols and training.
• Manual dexterity to reach, grasp, manipulate small objects, and precision instruments to give injections, take pulse and blood pressure; manual dexterity to hand write or use computer keyboard; sufficient vision to read gauges, thermometers, calibrated measuring instruments, labels on medications, and a computer screen; hear and speak well enough to communicate with patients at normal conversation level in person and over the phone.
• May require fit testing for N95 respirator/facemask.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, composed, and effective in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across disciplines and departments Demonstrated sound professional judgment; clinical judgment where applicable to licensure/role.
• Demonstrate understanding and be compliant with Patients' Rights, LPS Statutes, and Seclusion and Restraint Protocols.

Environmental Requirements

Depending on assignment of position may be required to work in a locked unit with juveniles, formerly incarcerated, and individuals assigned to guardianship who have complex social, and psycho-social needs; may be assigned to evening or night shift, assigned to work weekends, and to work holidays as needed as Ocean View is a 24-hour, 7 day a week facility and coverage is essential; environment can be noisy and sporadically chaotic, and may be exposed to hostile patients and profanity.

Special Conditions

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Live Scan fingerprinting, background check clearance, and verification of required licenses, certifications, and education
• Satisfactory completion of professional reference checks
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; Ocean View does not provide visa sponsorship for certain roles unless otherwise specified
• Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), The Joint Commission, and HIPAA standards
• Compliance with all required health screenings and immunizations in accordance with regulatory guidelines and facility policy, which may include tuberculosis (TB) testing, N95 fit testing, annual trainings, and proof of vaccination for certain communicable diseases
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or variable shifts as needed, based on operational or patient care needs.
• Compliance with additional credentialing and regulatory requirements implemented by the facility, including obtaining an individual NPI and completing LPS training and certification, is a condition of continued employment in the RN role. These requirements are considered standard role expectations and do not result in changes to title or compensation.