Registered Nurse - Norwalk

Counseling and Research Associates, Inc.•Norwalk, CA

2d•$83,200 - $112,320•Hybrid

About The Position

The Registered Nurse is responsible for overseeing the health, wellness, and psychiatric stability of patients receiving Full-Service Partnership (FSP) and broader outpatient behavioral health services. The position is primarily field-based and requires the ability to provide outreach, engagement, nursing support, and behavioral health services in community settings including patient homes, residential facilities, schools, shelters, hospitals, and other community-based environments. This is a hybrid role requiring flexibility, including availability for evenings and weekends based on community, events and the business need of the Company.

Requirements

Valid Registered Nurse license issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
At least two (2) years' experience with a TAY/adult mental health population.
Valid California Driver's License, proof of automobile insurance, good driving record, and must be able to drive to fulfill the duties of the position.
Able to function with a minimum of supervision and be highly motivated to provide excellent care and patient advocacy.

Responsibilities

Conducts health and wellness assessments and collaborates with patients in establishing individualized treatment, wellness, and recovery goals.
Obtains and reviews routine patient health, social, psychiatric, substance use, and medical history and integrates assessment of physical health conditions that may impact mental health functioning and treatment. Coordinates physical health services as indicated.
Oversees daily operations of the medication room, ensuring secure storage of all medications in accordance with agency policy and regulatory standards. Monitors medication inventory, stock levels, expiration dates, and tracks the receipt, dispensing, storage, administration, and disposal of medications. Maintains accurate medication logs and chain-of-custody documentation. Coordinates with treatment team providers, pharmacies, and nursing staff regarding medication management and medication-related concerns. Assists in training and supporting staff on medication handling procedures, infection control practices, medication safety, and universal precautions. Administers and monitors injectable medications in both clinic and community settings. Monitors oral medication adherence and conducts medication reconciliation with patients. Organizes and supervises the preparation of prescriptions and pill organizers in collaboration with patients. Monitoring and administrating injectable medications both in the clinic and in the field. Monitoring and managing oral medication, including conducting medication reconciliation with patients. Organizing and supervising the filling of prescriptions and pill boxes in collaboration with patients. Ensures proper disposal of expired, discontinued, or unused medications according to policy. Administers psychotropic medications (RN only), including long-acting injectable antipsychotics, independently operates weekly injection clinic services under psychiatrist orders and Medical Director oversight, monitors patients for post-injection reactions and medication side effects, and assists psychiatrists in stabilizing patients. Performs medication reconciliation following hospitalization, emergency room visits, or transitions of care. Coordinates laboratory monitoring for psychotropic medications, including but not limited to lithium, clozapine, valproic acid, and metabolic monitoring labs. Collaborates with pharmacies regarding prior authorizations, medication refill coordination, medication access barriers, and injection ordering.
Promotes a safe, professional, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and patient-centered clinical environment. Provides direct nursing care and performs preventive health interventions including blood pressure monitoring, heart rate monitoring, weight monitoring, waist circumference measurements, Body Mass Index monitoring, and assessment of abnormal findings. Performs basic wound and skin assessments, provides wound care within the Registered Nurse scope of practice, monitors healing, and coordinates referrals for advanced wound care or medical evaluation as clinically indicated. Monitors for medication side effects including metabolic syndrome, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), tardive dyskinesia, and other adverse medication reactions, and communicates clinically significant findings to the psychiatrist and/or Medical Director.
Participates in medical emergency response planning, disaster preparedness activities, and Masada emergency procedures. Maintains current CPR certification and responds to medical emergencies within the scope of practice.
Serves as the clinical nursing lead for Masada's Communicable Disease, Exposure and Field Response Manual. Conducts communicable disease screenings, assesses infectious disease risks, and provides clinical consultation to field staff regarding safe service delivery, infection prevention, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Coordinates with the Medical Director, Public Health, primary care providers, and other healthcare partners as appropriate regarding communicable disease concerns and exposure response. Provides staff education and assists in the development and implementation of agency infection prevention policies, procedures, and training consistent with applicable regulations and Masada policy.
Serves as the primary nursing resource for therapists, case managers, occupational therapists, substance abuse counselors, peer specialists, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), and other Masada staff regarding medical concerns, medication-related issues, infection prevention, changes in patient condition, emergency response, and coordination of healthcare services. Utilizes independent nursing judgment to assess patient acuity, determine the urgency of medical concerns, recommend appropriate levels of care, including primary care follow-up, Emergency Department evaluation, or activation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and consults with the Medical Director regarding complex or high-risk clinical situations.
Provides individual and group wellness coaching including management of chronic medical conditions, improvement of health through lifestyle changes, tobacco cessation, nutrition and meal planning, exercise, weight management, stress management, sleep hygiene, and linkage to physical healthcare resources as appropriate. Provides education, support, and care coordination for patients with substance use disorders, including harm reduction strategies, overdose prevention linkage to treatment and recovery services, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team to support whole-person care.
Attends weekly supervision, staff meetings, case consultations, and multidisciplinary treatment planning meetings as required. Assists in implementing agency policies, nursing workflows, quality improvement initiatives, medication safety practices, and regulatory standards within the clinic setting. Provides clinical supervision, oversight, training, and periodic performance evaluations for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and/or Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPTs). Delegates nursing tasks consistent with staff scope of practice, competency, and agency policy. Supports LVNs/LPTs in identifying and responding to urgent or high-risk patient situations, including crisis de-escalation and suicide risk concerns. Participates in the interview, onboarding, training, supervision, and ongoing professional development of LVNs and LPTs to support high-quality patient care and adherence to clinical and agency standards. Provides consultation and problem-solving support to nursing support staff regarding daily clinic operations, medication services, patient care issues, and workflow concerns. Escalates significant clinical, safety, performance, or compliance concerns to leadership as appropriate.
Maintains strict confidentiality regarding all patient records and protected health information. Ensures accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation related to nursing services, medication administration, patient contacts, assessments, interventions, coordination of care, and telehealth services in accordance with agency and regulatory standards.
Ensures all assigned programs operate in compliance with agency policies, LACDMH requirement, Medi-Cal standards, Specialty Mental Health Services regulations, county, state, federal, and licensing requirements. Oversees compliance with documentation standards, medical necessity criteria, timeliness standards, quality management requirements, and utilization review expectations Supports the successful integration of treatment services for all clients and remains informed regarding regulatory, contractual, and programmatic changes affecting service delivery. Supports compliance with audits, site reviews, and certification requirements by monitoring data integrity, implementing corrective action plans, and operational improvements to ensure accurate data collection and network adequacy.
Participates in quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives involving nursing services, medication safety, infection prevention, clinical outcomes, incident review, and regulatory compliance.
Provides outreach, engagement, and nursing support services to patients who may have difficulty accessing traditional office-based treatment. Coordinates care with psychiatrists, primary care providers, pharmacies, hospitals, other healthcare providers, family members, caregivers, and community supports. Assists with care coordination following psychiatric hospitalization, emergency room visits, or other transitions of care. Supports coordination of telehealth services, virtual medication appointments, remote patient education, and remote care management services. Contributes to the development, evaluation, and revision of nursing policies, procedures, and clinical workflows.
Obtains and maintains LPS designation as required and participates in the agency's 24-hour/day, 7-day/week on-call crisis response system as assigned. Assists with crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, de-escalation, and coordination of higher levels of care when clinically indicated. Communicates critical clinical issues to supervisors, psychiatrists, and treatment team members in a timely manner.
Must ensure a hazard-free workplace, enforce Company safety compliance and OSHA safety regulations, conduct employee worker's compensation investigations and foster a proactive safety culture across the Company. Ensure that employees follow established safety protocols, procedures and guidelines at all times. Maintaining a safe work environment includes promptly reporting injuries, illnesses, hazards, or unsafe conditions to their supervisor or designated representative. All EMPLOYEE related injuries or illnesses must be reported immediately to HR and Nurse First Response (NFR) should be notified for an assessment. Nurse First Response is available 24/7/365 days, (877) 246-8608.
Travels independently and provides field-based services in a variety of community settings including patient homes, residential facilities, schools, hospitals, shelters, board and care facilities, office locations, and other community environments. Position requires regular community outreach, field engagement, and the ability to safely and effectively work in diverse community settings. May transport patients in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Provides services in the field, in office settings, and through telehealth platforms as clinically appropriate.
Performs other duties as assigned.