Crisis Center Nurse (RN or LPN)

Paragon•Frisco, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Paragon Behavioral Health Connections is a comprehensive behavioral health organization dedicated to positively impacting individuals and families through compassionate, client-centered care. Our mission is to deliver personalized care that uplifts clients and builds supportive connections in communities. We offer community-based or in-home services, and digital solutions as needed, meeting clients where they are physically and emotionally to provide the right support at the right time. Serving communities across Colorado, we deliver equitable and creative “one-stop” behavioral health services, including in-home mental health and substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, early childhood support, intensive outpatient programs, assertive community treatment, medication management, and wrap-around support. Our approach is rooted in understanding, respect, innovation, and community collaboration, with a vision to empower individuals and families with complex needs to overcome challenges, build essential skills, and achieve long-term well-being. We offer a wide range of services, including step-down care from inpatient hospitalization for youth and adults, comprehensive support for children and families, and specialized treatment for adults facing depression, trauma, substance use, and other mental health needs. Our programming includes intensive care management supports, Crisis Stabilization programming, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Child First, integrated co-occurring Intensive Outpatient treatment, individual and family therapy, medication management (including MAT), peer support, supported employment/housing, and holistic recovery services.

Requirements

Active Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Colorado
Valid Colorado driver's license and access to reliable transportation
Current CPR/BLS certification
Up-to-date vaccinations in accordance with agency and public health guidelines
Minimum one to two years of experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or in crisis/emergency settings
Ability to respond within 5–10 minutes when scheduled for after-hours on-call telehealth duty
Strong clinical assessment, decision-making, and critical thinking skills in high-acuity environments
Compassionate, nonjudgmental, and client-centered approach — particularly with individuals in acute distress
Ability to de-escalate and stabilize individuals experiencing psychiatric and/or substance use crises
Comfortable working both independently and as part of a fast-paced multidisciplinary team
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in clinical documentation
Cultural humility and demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice
Ability to navigate ambiguous or rapidly evolving situations with composure
Reliable availability during scheduled on-call periods; professional response time standards

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — for RN applicants
Experience in community-based, psychiatric, crisis, emergency, or integrated care settings
Familiarity with the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction principles
Experience with MAT/MOUD administration and monitoring
Familiarity with Colorado 27-65 emergency mental health hold procedures
National certification such as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH-BC) or Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN)

Responsibilities

Provide immediate walk-in access triage for individuals experiencing self-defined behavioral health crises.
Complete crisis screening and assessment within required timeframes per Colorado BHA Chapter 6 standards.
Conduct suicide and homicide risk assessments and administer validated tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, Columbia Protocol).
Facilitate crisis intervention, de-escalation, and brief stabilization services.
Develop and document safety plans; provide lethal means counseling and restriction planning.
Engage family members and caregivers as appropriate to support stabilization.
Initiate M-1/27-65 emergency mental health holds when clinically necessary to ensure client safety (after completing required Colorado training).
Conduct comprehensive health assessments and ongoing monitoring for individuals receiving crisis services.
Monitor and document vital signs, perform basic health screenings, and administer point-of-care testing (urine drug screens, pregnancy tests, glucose monitoring).
Administer medications including those used in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT/MOUD); monitor for side effects and treatment effectiveness.
Administer and track long-acting injectable medications as directed by prescribing provider.
Perform withdrawal assessment and monitoring using validated tools (CIWA, COWS); escalate appropriately.
Administer naloxone; support harm reduction interventions and naloxone distribution.
Under provider direction, enter laboratory and toxicology orders; track completion and follow up on results.
Coordinate with pharmacies; complete prior authorizations and support PDMP compliance.
Initiate emergency medical response and facilitate transfer when acute medical needs exceed WIC capacity.
Screen and assess individuals for substance use disorders using evidence-based tools.
Conduct intoxication assessment and management per clinical protocols.
Evaluate for MAT/MOUD initiation and continuation; coordinate bridge prescriptions when clinically indicated.
Support Emergency Commitment (EC) evaluations and processing.
Coordinate warm handoffs to detoxification, withdrawal management, and substance use treatment providers.
Determine appropriate level of care in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
Provide warm handoffs and referrals to outpatient behavioral health, community stabilization, Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs), Behavioral Health Crisis Centers (BHCCs), inpatient psychiatric services and, via Provider support, to ER.
Coordinate transportation to appropriate levels of care.
Connect individuals to housing, food, case management, peer recovery, and social service resources.
Coordinate with school systems, criminal justice, and law enforcement as appropriate.
Conduct or support follow-up contact within 24 hours of crisis service delivery.
Confirm successful linkage to ongoing services; support appointment scheduling and referral follow-through.
Provide MAT continuity support and bridge services as needed.
Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in the electronic health record per agency and regulatory standards.
Participate in daily team meetings and contribute to individualized crisis and treatment planning.
Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducational groups focused on wellness, recovery, and harm reduction.
Triage client needs to appropriate team members; support provider scheduling.
Promote trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive practices in all interactions.