Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)

Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)

The Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) is a licensed professional responsible for delivering comprehensive, patient-centered psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient behavioral health environment. The RN performs ongoing assessments, develops individualized plans of care, implements therapeutic interventions, and evaluates patient responses. This role requires strong clinical judgment, crisis-management skills, and the ability to maintain a safe, structured, and recovery-oriented milieu for patients experiencing acute and chronic psychiatric conditions.

Responsibilities include conducting environmental rounds, safety checks, and contraband assessments in accordance with policy. Identify changes in patient condition, including behavioral escalation, medical instability, or safety concerns, and intervene promptly. Implement evidence-based nursing interventions, including de-escalation, crisis intervention, limit-setting, and psychotherapeutic communication. Utilize appropriate interventions during psychiatric and medical emergencies, including code response, HWC physical interventions, and rapid assessment. Maintain a safe, therapeutic, and recovery-oriented environment for patients with acute and chronic psychiatric conditions. Manage patient assignments consistent with established staffing standards, including a typical 1:6 ratio, modified based on acuity and clinical judgment. Document interventions and patient progress toward treatment goals in a clear, timely, and clinically relevant manner. Support discharge planning by identifying patient needs, barriers, and required follow-up services.

Schedule: AM Shift (7 AM - 3:30 PM) / PM Shift (3 PM - 11:30 PM) / NOC Shift (11 PM - 7:30 AM)

Heritage Oaks offers comprehensive benefits such as competitive compensation, excellent medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans, generous paid time off, 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan, and career development opportunities within UHS and its subsidiaries. Education assistance is also available.

Qualifications include a graduate from an accredited program of professional nursing, with a bachelor's degree preferred. Minimum of three (3) years' psychiatric nursing experience preferred. Demonstrated competency in assessment, crisis intervention, therapeutic communication, and milieu management. Current California RN license, current CPR certification, completion of Handle with Care (HWC) training, including seclusion/restraint competencies, within 30 days of hire. Successful completion of medication-administration and developmental-competency exams. Ability to adapt to changing patient needs, acuity levels, and assignments. Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to maintain composure and clinical effectiveness in high-stress situations.