Community Mental Health Nurse - Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (Open & Promotional)

County of San Mateo•San Mateo, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

San Mateo County Health's Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) Division is seeking an experienced Community Mental Health Nurse to join the South County Adult Outpatient Clinic. This role involves providing recovery-oriented, trauma-informed psychiatric nursing care within a collaborative interdisciplinary team serving adults with serious mental illness. The South County Adult Outpatient Clinic, located in Redwood City, serves diverse communities in southern San Mateo County, offering specialty mental health services to adults with serious mental illness and significant functional impairments. The clinic serves both Medi-Cal beneficiaries and uninsured individuals. The interdisciplinary team comprises psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, Psychiatric Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, and Peer Specialists who collaborate to support clients' treatment, recovery, and overall well-being.

Requirements

California license as a Registered Nurse.
Bachelor's degree in nursing.
One year of nursing experience in an outpatient community mental health setting.
Knowledge of current psychiatric nursing practices including psychopharmacology and the medical issues associated with serious mental illness and related medical theory.
Knowledge of behavioral health needs of adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
Knowledge of principles of psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery.
Knowledge of principles of hygiene, nutrition, parenting and related health practices.
Knowledge of social and physical aspects of mental and emotional disturbances.
Knowledge of community resources available for treatment of clients.
Knowledge of current nursing and related medical therapy.
Knowledge of laws that govern psychiatric mental health nursing and the treatment of adults diagnosed with mental illness.
Ability to provide individual and group skill-based psychoeducation.
Ability to work in an outpatient community mental health setting and within a multidisciplinary team as a direct service provider.
Ability to engage, establish, and maintain productive working relationships with families and consumers.
Ability to apply the techniques used in individual and group therapy.
Ability to develop and evaluate creative approaches to the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation for individuals with severe emotional problems and serious mental illness.
Ability to obtain and record social, physical, educational, and work histories.
Ability to write clear, accurate and concise reports.
Ability to conduct group and individual coaching and support.
Ability to establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients.
Ability to speak effectively before groups.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in nursing.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC).
Significant experience providing long-term, community-based psychiatric nursing services to adults with serious mental illness (SMI), preferably in an outpatient community mental health setting.
Demonstrated success working in voluntary treatment settings, where clients have greater autonomy in determining which treatment recommendations and services they choose to engage in.
Strong skills in client engagement, shared decision-making, motivational approaches, and recovery-oriented care, with the ability to partner with clients over time to support individualized treatment and recovery goals.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships while respecting professional boundaries, client autonomy, and individual choice in treatment and recovery.
Experience providing psychiatric nursing, medication administration and monitoring, care coordination, and clinical case management to adults with complex behavioral health, medical, and co-occurring substance use needs.
Knowledge of psychopharmacology, psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery principles, and medical conditions commonly associated with serious mental illness.
Strong assessment and clinical judgment skills, including the ability to identify changes in psychiatric or physical health, provide crisis intervention, and coordinate appropriate services while supporting clients' independence in the community.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team and coordinate effectively with psychiatrists, medical providers, families, hospitals, community-based organizations, and other partners.
Adaptable and flexible, with a willingness to provide cross-location clinic coverage as needed to support BHRS clients and changing program needs.
Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and documentation skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize competing responsibilities and respond to changing client and clinic needs.
Ability to provide culturally responsive care and work effectively with clients, families, and communities from diverse backgrounds.
Bilingual Spanish skills (speaking, reading, and writing).

Responsibilities

Provide psychiatric nursing services, medication support, and clinical case management in partnership with clients and the interdisciplinary treatment team.
Administer medication counseling and monitoring, review laboratory results, and administer long-acting injectable medications.
Coordinate care and link clients with community resources and social supports.
Respond to clients experiencing a crisis.
Collaborate with psychiatrists, primary and specialty care providers, hospitals, community-based organizations, family members, and other partners to support clients' treatment and recovery goals.
Support clinic operations by responding to urgent nursing needs, providing Office of the Day coverage, and assisting with medication services for clients outside the assigned caseload.
Participate in BHRS workgroups, committees, and advisory councils focused on nursing practice, medication management, and quality improvement.
Administer prescribed psychiatric injectable medications, provide medication education, document responses, and maintain accurate medication lists.
Review client laboratory results and respond to critical findings.
Conduct biopsychosocial interviews and participate in client assessments.
Develop treatment plans in partnership with clients and the interdisciplinary treatment team.
Provide clinical case management, including linkage and referrals to community programs, social support, and services addressing housing, financial, and other psychosocial needs.
Coordinate and collaborate with members of the client's treatment team, including primary and specialty care providers, private providers, hospitals, and community-based organizations.
Provide crisis intervention, assess client needs, and connect clients with appropriate resources and levels of care.
Observe, document, and report clinically significant changes in clients' physical or mental health.
Provide health and mental health education and psychoeducation to clients and families.
Participate in client and program conferences, staff development, and professional growth activities.
Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of mental health programs and services.
Perform related duties as assigned.