Lead Nurse | Intake (Mon-Fri)

Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital•Bakersfield, CA

9d•$44 - $61•Onsite

About The Position

Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital (BBHH) is an acute psychiatric and behavioral 90-bed facility in Bakersfield, California, offering inpatient and outpatient services for children, adolescents, and adults. BBHH aims to be a top workplace by providing excellent benefits, fostering growth, and upholding CARES values (Compassion, Acceptance, Respect, Empowerment, Sincerity). This RN position is in the Inpatient units, requiring high attention to detail, situational awareness, critical thinking, teamwork, and excellent communication. The Lead Nurse in Admissions/Intake is responsible for clinically reviewing referral packets to determine patient eligibility, completing assessments, and admitting patients. This role involves evaluating medical history, psychiatric diagnosis, acuity, risk factors, and medical stability to ensure the hospital can safely meet patient needs. It requires sound clinical judgment, knowledge of psychiatric standards of care, regulatory awareness, and the ability to assess admission risk in accordance with California law, CMS Conditions of Participation, and Joint Commission standards.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Current California RN License
Minimum of two (2) years psychiatric nursing experience (acute inpatient preferred).
Strong knowledge of psychiatric diagnoses, risk stratification, and medical comorbidities.
Demonstrated ability to independently analyze clinical information and exercise sound judgment.
Working knowledge of Title 22, CMS, and Joint Commission standards related to psychiatric facilities.
Strong written documentation skills.
Experience reviewing referral packets or conducting medical necessity reviews.
Current CPR certification or ability to obtain prior to start date.
Completion of 'Handle-With-Care' Physical Restraint Technique Training during orientation.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a mental healthcare hospital environment with a focus on assessments of human behavior, psychiatry, psychology, or other mental healthcare situations.

Responsibilities

Conducting comprehensive clinical reviews of referral packets to determine patient eligibility for admission.
Completing assessments and admissions of patients to the hospital.
Evaluating medical history, psychiatric diagnosis, acuity level, risk factors, exclusionary criteria, and medical stability to ensure the hospital can safely and appropriately meet the patient’s needs.
Demonstrating sound leadership skills in organizing activities and schedules for medical and/or non-medical tasks on the unit.
Providing high-quality clinical and interpersonal skills as an exemplary role model.
Displaying basic knowledge of treatment procedures and interventions common to acute psychotic and non-violent crisis intervention practice.
Applying advanced knowledge of abnormal psychology to patient care and demonstrating fluency in medical terminology in psychiatric care.
Utilizing thorough familiarity of psychotropic medications and basic teaching and training skills.
Problem-solving and utilizing exceptional organizational and time management skills.
Facilitating and/or co-facilitating process-oriented and didactic groups.
Providing excellent care and contributing to the hospital's effort to be the best hospital it can be.