Job Description
Description Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing health-care disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:
- People experiencing homelessness
- Indigenous communities
- Immigrant communities
- Rural communities
- BIPoC communities
- LGBTQIA+ communities
- Justice-impacted communities
The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. The WEA team’s partnership model is collaborative and allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities.
Job Description The Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Psych RN) provides
direct clinical care to adults and youth experiencing acute psychiatric crises within a
24/7 Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) . Working alongside Advanced Psychiatric Providers (PMHNP/PA-C), therapists, social workers, and peer specialists, the Psych RN conducts nursing assessments, manages medications, provides crisis intervention, and supports rapid stabilization and safe transitions of care. This role requires strong clinical judgment, de-escalation skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented psychiatric urgent-care environment serving individuals with co-occurring mental health, substance use, trauma-related, and medical needs.
Key Responsibilities Direct Nursing Care in a Crisis Setting
- Provide psychiatric nursing assessments, including vital signs, risk screens, withdrawal monitoring, and behavioral observations.
- Monitor patients for psychiatric instability, withdrawal, medical issues, and adverse medication reactions
- Implement nursing interventions to support rapid stabilization, safety, and symptom reduction.
- Support APPs during psychiatric evaluations by collecting collateral information, performing preliminary assessments, and monitoring clinical changes.
Medication Administration & Monitoring
- Administer psychotropic and non-psychiatric medications per provider orders.
- Monitor for side effects, allergies, and adverse reactions following medication administration
- Follow emergency protocols for acute medication reactions, medical decline, or escalating psychiatric symptoms.
- Maintain accurate medication logs and ensure medications are stored and handled per policy
Crisis Intervention & De-escalation
- Utilize trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive strategies to de-escalate distress, agitation, or behavioral emergencies.
- Provide emotional support, grounding, and safety planning for individuals in crisis.
- Collaborate with the APP in determining need for involuntary holds or transfer to higher levels of care.
Care Coordination & Team Collaboration
- Work closely with APPs, therapists, case managers, social workers, and peer support specialists during stabilization and discharge planning
- Participate in multidisciplinary rounds, shift huddles, and clinical discussions regarding treatment plans.
- Communicate changes in patient status promptly to the APP and clinical leadership.
Patient & Family Education
- Provide education regarding diagnosis, treatment plans, medications, and safety strategies
- Assist families and caregivers in understanding crisis management, transitions, and follow-up care.
Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation of assessments, interventions, medications, and outcomes
- Support compliance with county behavioral health requirements, involuntary treatment laws, and CSU protocols.
- Uphold HIPAA standards and organizational confidentiality policy.
Operational Support
- Assist with environmental safety checks, inventory of medications and supplies, and coordination of operational needs
- Contribute to quality improvement activities and policy development alongside CSU leadership
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements Essential Skills and Qualifications: PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Required The RN must be able to meet the physical demands required for safe operation in a secure, fast-paced psychiatric unit, including:
- Standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods
- Assisting in de-escalation or physical safety interventions as trained and permitted
- Exposure to noise, bodily fluids, and occasional behavioral volatility
- Lifting up to 25 pounds, and occasionally assisting with patient movement
Qualifications And Education Requirements - Accredited Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing
- Current, unrestricted California RN license
- Current BLS certification
- CPI, MAB, SAMA, or similar crisis-intervention certification (or obtained within 3 months of hire)
- Minimum 1 year clinical nursing experience required.
- Psychiatric, crisis, emergency department, or inpatient behavioral health experience strongly preferred.
Preferred Skills - Knowledge of psychiatric nursing principles, suicide risk assessment, and crisis stabilization.
- Understanding of behavioral health systems and involuntary treatment processes
- Strong therapeutic communication and de-escalation skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment.
- Availability and willingness to work extended shifts, overnights, and weekends
- Proficiency with electronic health records.
- Knowledge of HIPAA, infection control, and safety protocols
Benefits - Medical Coverage through WEA’s ICHRA program
- Paid Time Off (PTO) for full-time employees
- Paid Holidays (8 annually after 90 days)
- Paid Sick Leave per state requirements
- Continuing Education (CE) Reimbursement
- Supportive, mission-driven work environment
Job Tags
Full time, Local area, Shift work, Night shift, Weekend work,