Weekends Only - Mental Health Nurse

Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN)

Heritage Oaks Hospital is part of the UHS Family of Providers which has been highly regarded as an integral part of the greater Sacramento and Northern California mental health system since 1988. Conveniently located in northern Sacramento, Heritage Oaks is a fully accredited, 125-bed acute psychiatric hospital offering a full range of individually tailored treatment services to adolescents, adults, and senior adults, including treatment for substance abuse and chemical dependency issues with drugs and alcohol. Heritage Oaks is a Medicare provider in addition to contracts with most commercial health insurance plans. We are committed to providing service excellence to all and ensuring our patients receive the optimal level of care that will be most beneficial to their health and recovery.

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.

Conduct 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) Shift differential on top of base pay: $3 on weekends

Heritage Oaks offers comprehensive benefits such as: Competitive Compensation Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Plan Generous Paid Time Off 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan Career development opportunities within UHS and its Subsidiaries Education Assistance Challenging and rewarding work environment

Qualifications Education: Graduate from an accredited program of professional nursing required; Bachelor's Degree preferred. Preferred Experience: Minimum of three (3) years' psychiatric nursing experience preferred. Demonstrated competency in assessment, crisis intervention, therapeutic communication, and milieu management. Licensure: 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. Additional Requirements: 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.

Universal Health Services