Clinical Nurse III - Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Services

Salary : $183,605.76 - $246,084.80 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time/Part-Time
Job Number: 26-S75-BHP2
Department: County-Wide Recruitment
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Bargaining Unit: 04


Description
Definition

Under supervision, to apply the theoretical concepts of the nursing profession while providing routine direct patient care within the parameters of established nursing policies and procedures in controlled patient care situations required by the assigned clinical setting.
Santa Clara County is proud to announce the opening of the new Behavioral Health Pavilion on the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center campus. We are building a team of dedicated psychiatric nurses for our new Child and Adolescent Inpatient Units, as well as a dedicated Emergency Psychiatric Services for children and adolescents.
As a Clinical Nurse in the Acute Psychiatric Services (APS) at the Behavioral Health Pavilion (BHP), you'll be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments, developing personalized treatment plans, and managing medication while ensuring patient safety and comfort. You will collaborate with psychiatrists and other behavioral health professionals to design optimal care, educate patients and families, and advocate for their needs.
The Eligible List created from this recruitment will be used for current and future openings within this competency area (Child / Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Services).

Clinical Nurse III applicants would meet the employment standard for this specialty by possessing:
An active California Registered Nurse License without restrictions;

and

Three (3) years of full-time Registered Nurse (RN) experience, of which one (1) year must have been within the last three (3) years, in an accredited acute care hospital setting, Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, Partial Hospitalization Program, or Custody Health.

and

One (1) year of full-time RN experience, within the last three (3) years, in Child / Adolescent Behavioral Psychiatric Services, or Adult Psychiatric Services, a Partial Hospitalization Program - Psychiatric (PHP), Emergency Department, Pediatrics, or Custody Health Services.
Possession of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and possession of a nationally recognized certification in a specialty area is preferred.

Special Requirements

Must possess and maintain the following certification(s):

o Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
Filing Period and Application Procedure Final Filing Date: Open until filled. The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 7 days after the issue date. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and to monitor this site for updated closing information.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Clinical Nurse III classification is expected to have the knowledge and abilities to assume charge nurse responsibility. The Clinical Nurse III classification is distinguished from the Clinical Nurse II classification in that the Clinical Nurse III performs under general supervision and is expected to identify and implement nursing interventions that have less predictable outcomes and evaluate the results of these interventions for a given patient population, whereas the Clinical Nurse IIworks under supervision while performing specific patient care assignments.
The Clinical Nurse III classification is distinguished from the Nurse Coordinator classification in that the Nurse Coordinator has permanent, ongoing responsibility to teach staff and organize the patient care of a specific patient population or designated clinical program.
The Clinical Nurse III classification is distinguished from the Assistant Nurse Manager classification in that the Assistant Nurse Manager has permanent, ongoing responsibility to supervise a designated nursing unit or ambulatory care clinic.


The Clinical Nurse classification series is distinguished from the Public Health Nurse classification series in that the Clinical Nurse classification series works directly with individual patients or a defined patient assignment, where patients are injured, ill, or in life-threatening situations requiring nursing interventions, whereas the Public Health Nurse works in clinics, homes, and community settings caring for the health of the population to prevent disease and improve population health.
The Clinical Nurse classification series differs from the Psychiatric Nurse classification series in that the Psychiatric Nurse classification series works in mental health hospitals and clinics providing psychiatric and nursing interventions.
Better Health for All!
The County of Santa Clara owns and operates a Hospitals and Clinics Delivery System that includes Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, O'Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital, and Regional Medical Center.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - 731 bed tertiary level acute care hospital providing the highest level of adult and pediatric emergency medical and trauma services, a regional high risk Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, an ACS-verified Burn Trauma Center, a Primary Stroke Center, a CARF-accredited Rehabilitation Center, emergency and acute inpatient psychiatric services, as well as a range of other specialized services - in some cases the only such treatment in the region.

O'Connor Hospital - 358-bed acute care facility offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and specialty programs to more than 1 million residents of San Jose. O'Connor Hospital was founded in 1889 as one of the first hospitals in Santa Clara County.

St. Louise Regional Hospital - 93-bed acute care facility affectionately known as South County's community hospital, is a Designated Primary Stroke Center, and is the only acute care hospital in the area. Located in Gilroy, St. Louise is one of the largest employers in the community.

Regional Medical Center - Regional Medical Center (RMC) is a 258-bed hospital that is the main emergency healthcare provider for East San José, treating a wide range of critical and life-threatening conditions for more than 60 years. Since the SCVH integration of RMC effective 4/1/25, RMC has expanded the critical services including Level II trauma, Thrombectomy capable Stroke Center and STEMI care, and has been seeing an increased number of emergency visits and inpatient volume.
Learn more about Santa Clara Valley Medical Center: Hospital and Clinics at and follow us on:
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Typical Tasks
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.
Assessment

• Analyzes and validates data taken from interviews of patients; revises assessments based on observation of patient behaviors;

• Identifies common recurrent patient problems, symptoms, and behavioral changes in relation to standards of care and individual patient needs;

• Assesses the needs of a specific patient population by making purposeful rounds, participating in clinical conferences, and collaborating with physicians and other healthcare team members;

• Assesses the competencies of personnel assigned to a specific patient group;

• Assesses the need for development of standards of care for a specific patient population;

• Assesses the numbers and levels of personnel needed to provide nursing care for a specific patient population.

Planning

• Identifies patient care problems, establishes priorities, and develops individual patient care plans based on nursing and medical diagnosis;

• Plans strategies for solving patient care problems with other members of the healthcare team;

• Plans for patient needs within current assignment to determine amount and type of assistance needed;

• Develops a plan for teaching patients and family regarding recurrent health problems, coping mechanisms, and health practices related to maintenance of wellness and prevention of disease;

Implementation

• Collaborates with appropriate personnel in performing new procedures and/or in functioning in unfamiliar situations;

• Coordinates activities needed to implement the plan of care;

• Coordinates patient and family teaching;

• Coordinates discharge plans with appropriate support personnel;

• Complies with external and internal regulations pertaining to nursing practice;

• Recognizes legal and ethical duties and responsibilities of registered nurses;

• May participate in conducting research activities;

• When assigned charge responsibility, makes recommendations for the unit level staffing pattern and assigns personnel to provide for patient care during an 8-hour period;

• Assists in teaching students and staff;

• May assume role of primary nurse with accountability to specific assigned patients;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of an active California Registered Nurse License without restrictions;

and

Three (3) years of full-time Registered Nurse (RN) experience, of which one (1) year must have been within the last three (3) years, in an accredited hospital, clinic, or healthcare setting.


and

One (1) year of full-time RN experience, within the last three (3) years, in the nursing specialty area. A nursing specialty is a field of nursing that focuses on either a particular patient population or a health condition.
Possession of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and possession of a nationally recognized certification in a specialty area is preferred.
Special Requirements

• Must possess and maintain the following certification(s) during employment:

o Basic Life Saving Certification (BLS)

• For clinical specialty areas, must possess and maintain the following certification(s) during employment:

o Advance Cardiovascular Life Saving Certification (ACLS)


o Other identified specialty area certification(s) for specialty patient populations at appointment, as required.

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• California Nurse Practice Act;

• American Nursing Association Code of Ethics;

• Nursing Professional Practice Model;

• Federal and State healthcare laws and regulations appropriate to the operation of California hospitals;

• Current nursing and related medical theory necessary to administer nursing care within assigned clinical setting;

• Principles, practices, and methods of acute and primary care clinical nursing, including community aspects and continuity of patient care;

• Diagnosis and treatment of common medical problems as related to a clinical specialty area;

• Clinical systems, supplies, and equipment;

• Safety and Infection Control practices;

• Sciences basic to nursing (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology);

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;

• Common computer systems and charting applications.

Ability to:

• Establish relationships with patients/families in difficult or crisis situations;

• Advocate for the patient/family perspective and work toward resolution of conflict;

• Develop and implement complex teaching plans;

• Be a subject matter expert and be recognized by other staff nurses and physicians for their expert knowledge;

• Support less experienced Registered Nurses;

• Recognize and report subtle variations in patient responses;

• Anticipate and identify the needs of other patients and the capabilities of the nurses assigned to them;

• Develop innovative strategies to enhance patient care;

• Model high performance leadership behaviors (e.g., thoughtful listening, effective questioning, and empowerment);

• Act as a change agent and facilitate implementation and evaluation of change;

• Perform skillfully under pressure;

• Juggle and integrate needs and requests of multiple patients without losing important information or overlooking significant needs;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.

Physical Requirements
The physical requirements may include:

• Ability to work alternate work schedules, weekends, and holidays as necessary;

• Ability to perform physical skills required to deliver patient care;

• Bend, stoop, reach, perform fine motor movements, see, hear, and touch;

• Strength to lift, move, and transfer most patients; to restrain and carry children; to move and carry equipment; and to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which requires sufficient body weight and adequate lung expansion;

• Mobility: bend, stoop, get down on the floor; combination of strength, dexterity, mobility, and coordination to assist patients; ability to move around physically and adequately in confined spaces (patient rooms, bathrooms, treatment settings, around patient equipment, etc.);

• Be able to perform all physical skills required to deliver patient care;

• Fine Motor Movements: manipulate syringes and IVs; assist patients with feeding and hygiene; write appropriate notations; document in health record; and perform sterile procedures and other skilled procedures;

• Vision: Visualize patients in order to assess and observe their health status; skin tone, color changes, dermatological conditions, non-verbal behaviors, changes in signs and symptoms of illness, health improvement or deterioration, etc.;

• Hearing: Hear and see patients, monitor signs and symptoms, hear alarms, patient voices, call lights, and assess patient conditions, non-verbal behaviors, changes in signs and symptoms of illness, health improvement or deterioration, hear through the stethoscope to discriminate sounds, and accurately hear on the telephone;

• Touch: Ability to palpate both superficially and deeply and to discriminate tactile sensations.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more


The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01


Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED for your application and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. Please include the name of employer, job title, dates of employment and number of hours worked per week for questions asking about your experience. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a competitive rating process. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02


What is your highest level of Nursing Education?

• AA/ AS/ Diploma, Clinical Practicum concurrent with theory in a non-accredited Joint Commission acute care hospital
• BSN, Clinical Practicum concurrent with theory in a non-accredited Joint Commission acute care hospital
• AA/ AS/ Diploma, Clinical Practicum concurrent with theory in an accredited Joint Commission acute care hospital
• MEPN with RN license pursuing MS
• BSN, Clinical Practicum concurrent with theory in an accredited Joint Commission acute care hospital
• MSN
• PhD

03


Do you have an active California Registered Nurse License without restrictions?

• Yes
• No

04


If you have an active California RN license, please indicate your RN license number and expiration date. If none, enter "N/A".


05


Indicate your current certifications. Select all that apply.

• No current certifications
• BCLS
• ACLS
• PALS
• Psychiatric - Mental Health Nursing Certification ( PMH-BC)

06


Indicate the commitment you are willing to work (Check all that apply).

• 1.0 FTE, 80 hours in two weeks
• .9 FTE, 72 hours in two weeks
• .8 FTE, 64 hours in two weeks
• .75 FTE, 60 hours in two weeks
• .7 FTE, 56 hours in two weeks
• .6 FTE, 48 hours in two weeks
• .5 FTE, 40 hours in two weeks

07


Select all shifts you are willing to work.

• Day 8 hour shift
• Day 12 hour shift
• Evening 8 hour shift
• Night 8 hour shift
• Night 12 hour shift
• Variable

08


Please select the unit(s) you are willing to work:
Select all that apply. Your responses may determine whether or not you will be referred for a specific department and/or location.

• Child/ Adolescent Emergency Psychiatric Services
• Child Inpatient Psychiatric
• Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Unit

09


What is the RN to patient ratio in your current unit?
10


Do you have three (3) years of full-time Registered Nurse (RN) experience, of which one (1) year must have been within the last three (3) years in an accredited inpatient psychiatric hospital, acute care hospital, partial hospitalization program and/or custody health setting?

• Yes
• No

11


How many years of full-time experience (or full-time equivalent experience do you have as a Registered Nurse (RN) in an accredited inpatient acute psychiatric hospital, acute care hospital, partial hospitalization program and/or custody health setting? Do not include years while in nursing school.

• No RN experience in an accredited inpatient acute psychiatric hospital, acute care hospital and/or custody health setting
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year less than 2 years
• 2 years less than 3 years
• 3 years less than 4 years
• 4 years less than 5 years
• 5 years less than 10 years
• 10+ years

12


Indicate the locations where you obtained 1 or more years of RN experience in an accredited inpatient acute psychiatric hospital, acute care hospital, partial hospitalization program and/or custody health setting. Select all that apply.

• Not Applicable
• Child / Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Services
• Child / Adolescent Partial Hospital Program (PHP)
• Child / Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Child / Adolescent Outpatient Treatment
• Acute Hospital Pediatrics
• Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Services
• Adult Partial Hospital Program (PHP)
• Adult Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Adult Outpatient Treatment
• Custody Health Services
• Emergency Department
• Medical Surgical Unit
• Progressive Care/Stepdown Unit
• Other

13


Do you have recent (1 year in the last 3 years) RN experience in a Child / Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Unit or Acute Psychiatric Services unit? Do not include years while in nursing school.

• Yes
• No

14


How many years of full-time experience (or full-time equivalent experience) do you have as a Child / Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Services Registered Nurse working in an Acute Psychiatric Services unit? Do not include years while in nursing school.

• No Child/ Adolescent Behavioral Health/Acute Psychiatric Services RN experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year less than 2 years
• 2 years less than 3 years
• 3 years less than 4 years
• 4 years less than 5 years
• 5 years less than 10 years
• 10+ years

15


Please indicate which of the employers in your application provided you with your Registered Nurse (RN) experience in an inpatient acute psychiatric hospital, acute care hospital, partial hospitalization program, custody health setting, and/or Child/Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. If none, enter "N/A".
Include the following details: name of employer & department, job title, dates of employment (month/year), number of hours worked per week, and specific clinical duties performed relevant to the classification.
16


Please indicate which of the following areas you possess experience as a Registered Nurse in an Child / Adolescent Psychiatric Unit or Acute Psychiatric Services unit. Select all that apply.

• Assaultive Behavior
• Psychiatric Crisis Management
• 4-point Leather Restraints
• None of the above

17


Indicate the number of months/years of RN experience with Assaultive Behavior patients in an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital, acute care hospital and/or custody health setting.

• No Assaultive Behavior patient experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months less than 1 year
• 1 year less than 2 years
• 2 years less than 3 years
• 3 years less than 4 years
• 4 years less than 5 years
• 5 years less than 10 years
• 10+ years

18


Indicate the number of months/years of RN experience with Psychiatric Crisis Management patients in an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital, acute care hospital and/or custody health setting.

• No Psychiatric Crisis Management experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months less than 1 year
• 1 year less than 2 years
• 2 years less than 3 years
• 3 years less than 4 years
• 4 years less than 5 years
• 5 years less than 10 years
• 10+ years

19


Indicate the number of months/years of RN experience with 4-point Leather Restraints in an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital, acute care hospital and/or custody health setting.

• No experience with 4-point leather restraints
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months less than 1 year
• 1 year less than 2 years
• 2 years less than 3 years
• 3 years less than 4 years
• 4 years less than 5 years
• 5 years less than 10 years
• 10+ years

20


Please indicate which of the employers in your application provided you with your experience in Assaultive Behavior, Psychiatric Crisis Management, and/or 4-point Leather Restraints. If none, enter "N/A".
Include the following details for each applicable skill: name of employer & department, job title, dates of employment (month/year), number of hours worked per week, and specific clinical duties performed relevant to the classification.
21


How many years of experience do you have as a Charge Nurse in an inpatient acute care?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year less than 2 years
• 2 years less than 3 years
• 3 years less than 4 years
• 4 years less than 5 years
• 5 years less than 10 years
• 10+ years

22


Please indicate which of the employers in your application provided you with your Charge Nurse experience. If none, enter "N/A".
Include the following details: name of employer & department, job title, dates of employment (month/year), number of hours worked per week, and duties performed relevant to the classification.
23


Do you have professional work experience with a Epic and/or Health Link?

• Yes
• No

24


How did you find out about this job?

• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
• County Employee Referral
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Virtual Job Fair
• In Person Job Fair
• In-Person Networking Professional Event
• Virtual Networking Event
• Community Event
• Glassdoor
• Governmentjobs.com
• Professional Association
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Hospital Website: SCVMC, O'Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital Website
• Handshake
• Student Career Center
• County Text Message
• Other (Specify in the next question)

25


If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type N/A.
Required Question