Assessment & Referral Registered Nurse (Per Diem) (Santa Rosa)

About the role

Santa Rosa Behavioral Healthcare Hospital (SRBHH) is an acute psychiatric inpatient facility in the North Bay serving adolescents and adults with mental health and co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse conditions. The Assessment & Referral Registered Nurse performs intake assessments, ensures EMTALA compliance, and facilitates appropriate level-of-care placement.

Responsibilities

• Respond to telephone and face-to-face inquiries from persons seeking mental health care or information about services
• Collect and analyze patient data (physical, psychosocial, environmental, self-care, educational, spiritual, cultural) and determine alcohol/drug toxicity and withdrawal signs
• Conduct screenings/assessments to determine treatment needs and recommend the appropriate level of care
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with counselors, coordinators, physicians, affiliates, facilities, and nursing staff
• Assess crisis and clinical indicators via phone and in-person, document on call sheets, and schedule assessments as clinically appropriate
• Prepare written assessment reports immediately after completion, including level-of-care and treatment recommendations
• Make appropriate interventions during assessments and crisis situations with clients, family/friends, and professional staff
• Assess need for involuntary hospitalization and coordinate with county crisis teams, law enforcement, or 5150 Certified employees
• Enter call and intake data into the computer system in a timely manner
• Assist non-admitted clients with follow-through of clinical referrals and recommendations
• Provide pertinent clinical information to physicians and program staff to ensure smooth patient transitions
• Distribute admission documentation to Business Office, Admitting Unit, and Utilization Review Department
• Communicate with managed care organizations to obtain insurance pre-authorizations
• Stay current with organization programs and services
• Cross-train as Inpatient Registered Nurse, including assessing inpatients, providing direct care, documenting assessments and treatments, administering medications, and completing treatment plans
• Provide clinical summary information at treatment team meetings, shift reports, and other hand-offs
• Maintain continual oversight of inpatients and inpatient psychiatric unit operations
• Assess, collect data, define problems, set goals, initiate interventions, and evaluate outcomes

Requirements

• Current California Registered Nurse license
• One year of nursing experience or more required; inpatient experience preferred
• Familiarity with continuum of care and clinical terminology
• Knowledge of DSM diagnostic criteria
• Current CPR certificate or obtained during initial orientation
• Completion of verbal de-escalation and physical intervention program as approved by the CNO

Skills

• Maintains confidentiality and knowledge of patient rights and mental health laws
• Strong assessment and intervention skills; persuasive manner to overcome denial and resistance to treatment
• Ability to concentrate in high-traffic areas and manage crisis and potentially combative patients while maintaining personal and emotional equilibrium
• Sensitivity to diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational skills; ability to prioritize, work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication; good judgment, problem solving, and decision-making
• Commitment to collaboration and ability to lead, influence, and motivate others
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization

Physical Requirements

• Frequent use of standard office equipment and computer input/retrieval; repetitive keyboard use for extended periods
• Effective in-person and telephone communication with diverse populations
• Complex mental functions and basic arithmetic; interpret laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and analyze complex data
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously
• Reach, walk, push, pull, lift, and carry objects; feel sizes, shapes, temperatures, and textures
• Sit or stand for minimum one-hour intervals and move about the work area repeatedly
• Exert up to 100 lbs occasionally and up to 20 lbs frequently; provide manual restraints for physically acting-out patients
• Minimum visual acuity with or without correction; perceive sound ≥40 dB at 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan; healthcare spending account
• Life insurance (supplemental life, term, and universal plans available)
• Short- and long-term disability with additional buy-in opportunities
• PTO plan with holiday premium pay
• Discounted cafeteria meal plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Pay

$63.00–$75.00 per hour