Per Diem Nurse - Compass and STEP Programs

About the Role

The Per Diem Nurse is responsible and accountable for prescribing, implementing, and evaluating the nursing care delivered within their shift, and for utilizing the nursing process to provide assessment, treatment planning, and evaluation of client care within designated clinical areas. The Per Diem Nurse is responsible for meeting all regulatory documentation standards. They participate in the multidisciplinary team, Quality Assurance, and Utilization Review activities, act as a clinical role model, and provide nursing consultation to staff within the assigned areas of responsibility. This position supports the Compass and STEP Programs in Salinas and the STEP Program in San Jose.

About COMPASS Monterey County

Seneca’s Monterey County's COMPASS Program provides short-term residential treatment for children and youth experiencing crises, ensuring timely support when it’s most needed. Upon enrollment, Seneca teams work with the youth and support networks to assess needs and strengths, developing foundation goals to drive treatment. Comprehensive services include mental health assessments, crisis counseling, and linkage to long-term support based on individual strengths and needs. The goal is to provide mental health/crisis services, suicide prevention, decrease placement changes, and reduce unnecessary psychiatric hospitalization.

About STEP Programs

The STEP (Skills, Transitions, Exploration, and Progress) program provides Day Treatment Intensive (DTI) services to youth ages 12-17. The goal is to offer intensive, short-term stabilization services to enable clients to step down to lower levels of outpatient mental health treatment. Groups are designed to teach youth about their mental health, provide psychoeducation, and help them learn skills to feel better and stay safe. STEP consists of a multidisciplinary team including counselors, clinicians, a nurse, psychiatrist provider, and program supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate illnesses or injuries.
• Monitor physician orders for medication or treatment and prescriptions filled at outside pharmacies.
• Maintain working relationships with pediatricians, specialists, psychiatrist providers, therapists, and hospitals providing client care.
• Arrange appointments or receive treatment orders when nursing expertise is required.
• Provide ongoing staff training on medications and handling.
• Offer health-related education to staff and clients.
• Document all nursing interventions, including medication assistance records.
• Collect and analyze assessment data to identify treatment problems and formulate individualized outcomes and plans.
• Implement and evaluate nursing interventions.
• Review all medical incident reports for shifts.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Meet regularly with the Program Director and Psychiatrists as requested.
• Collaborate with the Psychiatrist Provider to ensure quality medication administration, consents, treatment, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Manager to ensure health and safety, infection control, resource utilization, and clinical/rehabilitative standards of care.
• Attend treatment reviews related to youth healthcare.
• Provide on-call support for nursing questions as needed.
• Lead and support groups in the milieu.
• Process referrals, schedule and participate in intakes, and complete physical screenings.
• Safely transport youth to medical appointments and assist with prescription pick-ups and urgent medical necessities, ensuring continuity of care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing OR Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN)
• Active Registered Nurse licensure in the state of practice.
• Current CPR-BLS certification.
• Psychiatric nursing experience preferred.
• At least 21 years of age.
• TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and compliance with state/federal licensing requirements.

Schedule

Schedule varies. STEP shifts are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. COMPASS shifts are Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM.

Pay

Starting at $61.90 - $64.40 per hour. Actual salary depends on creditable experience above minimum qualifications. Additional compensation for passing a bilingual language proficiency exam. Annual salary increases and promotional opportunities available.

Benefits

• Salary increases each year.
• Promotional opportunities across the agency in California.