Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) (Crisis Walk In)

WEA CA PC • Indio, CA

7d • $48 - $62 • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Registered Nurse provides high-level clinical care to youth and adults experiencing acute behavioral health crises at WEA’s Crisis Walk-In Center in Indio, California. The center provides 24/7 voluntary walk-in crisis services for adults and children ages 5 and older and serves up to 20 patients at a time.

The RN is responsible for front-line triage, rapid clinical assessment, crisis stabilization, nursing interventions, medication administration and monitoring, and safe transitions of care. The position calls for clinical judgment and autonomous practice within scope, including identifying decompensation, medical instability, and the need for a higher level of care. The RN works with prescribers, behavioral health clinicians, peer support specialists, and care coordinators to provide safe, efficient, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care.

This role is performed in person at the Indio Crisis Walk-In Center and requires availability for rotating weekend shifts in a 24/7 care environment. The RN may function as shift lead or charge nurse when assigned, while maintaining an active patient assignment.

Requirements

• Active, unrestricted California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program.
• Current BLS certification.
• At least 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience.
• Strong clinical assessment, crisis intervention, and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment.
• Availability to work rotating weekend shifts in a 24/7 crisis care environment.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs).

Nice To Haves

• Experience in psychiatric, crisis, emergency department, or behavioral health settings.
• PMH-BC (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse – Board Certified).
• CPI, MAB, SAMA, or equivalent certification, or willingness to obtain certification upon hire.
• Knowledge of crisis care systems, including the 988 continuum and involuntary hold processes such as 5150.
• Experience working with individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Bilingual skills; Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial triage for walk-in patients and prioritize care according to clinical risk and safety needs.
• Conduct psychiatric and medical nursing assessments, including vital signs, suicide risk screening, withdrawal monitoring, and behavioral observations.
• Identify medical instability or underlying medical conditions and initiate escalation or transfer when appropriate.
• Use clinical judgment to initiate nursing protocols and interventions in accordance with established guidelines.
• Implement nursing interventions for stabilization, symptom reduction, and patient safety; monitor psychiatric status, withdrawal symptoms, and medical concerns.
• Provide therapeutic, trauma-informed support during acute behavioral episodes and collaborate in real-time clinical decision-making.
• Administer medications according to provider orders and standing protocols; monitor therapeutic response, side effects, and adverse reactions; respond to medication-related emergencies according to protocol.
• Document medication administration, reconciliation, and safe handling practices.
• Use evidence-based de-escalation and trauma-informed approaches; support emotional regulation, grounding, and safety planning; participate in team safety interventions as appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of involuntary hold criteria, including 5150, and support evaluation and transfer processes as indicated.
• Collaborate with prescribers, behavioral health clinicians, and other care team members to support patient flow and timely care.
• Communicate changes in patient condition and promptly escalate concerns.
• Facilitate transitions of care, including referrals to higher levels of care, outpatient services, and community resources.
• Serve as shift lead or charge nurse when assigned, supporting the Nurse Manager and clinical operations while maintaining an active patient assignment.
• Educate patients and families about diagnoses, medications, crisis management strategies, treatment plans, safety considerations, follow-up care, and available resources.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation of assessments, interventions, medications, and outcomes; meet documentation quality and timeliness expectations.
• Comply with organizational policies, clinical protocols, regulatory standards, HIPAA, and confidentiality requirements.
• Support a safe, therapeutic, and structured care environment; participate in environmental safety checks and incident prevention.
• Assist with clinical supply management and medication inventory as needed.
• Contribute to quality improvement and workflow optimization efforts, and perform other duties as needed to support site operations.

Benefits

• Opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional leaders across Behavioral Health, Medical, Street Medicine, Public Health, Rural Health, and Tribal Health initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree