Program Registered Nurse (32hrs)

Are you interested in working in a fast-paced, challenging behavioral healthcare organization? Are you interested in a position that is rewarding and makes a difference in the lives of others? Do you like to be challenged and work in a setting that allows you to grow? Then Alvarado Parkway Institute wants to hear from you! We are seeking an RN to join our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in City Heights.

Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is a free-standing psychiatric hospital in La Mesa, California with three Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Programs. Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) provides comprehensive adult inpatient behavioral health and addictive disorders services in a 66-bed hospital setting located in La Mesa, California. At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we are committed to improving the mental health and well-being of our community. Alvarado Parkway Institute in La Mesa is San Diego County's leading provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse care. API offers a variety of Outpatient Services designed to assist patients in functioning at the highest level. API provides Partial Hospitalization services and Intensive Outpatient services. These programs emphasize symptom management, community integration, and prevention of hospitalization or re-hospitalization. Value-added services enhance the patient's treatment experience.

Program Registered Nurses are responsible for the delivery of quality general and psychiatric nursing care to all patients in the OPS program. To serve actively and constructively as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, supporting the organization and program philosophy of care; to ensure the safety and well-being of each patient, and to participate in the development and evaluation of treatment plans and updates.

You must complete an application online at our website to be considered for possible employment: https://apibhs.com/careers

Program Nurse Responsibilities:

• Understand, comply, and ensure staff also understand and comply with the intent of the Corporate Compliance Program.
• Comply with safety and security policies and procedures, including those regarding incidents and injuries; and ensure staff comply to the safety, security, policies, and procedures as well.
• Through a systematic process of interaction with patients, the patients’ significant others, and the appropriate health care providers, collects, and analyzes data regarding the patient’s physical, psycho-social, environmental, self-care, educational, and anticipated discharge planning needs.
• Develops comprehensive outlines of care to be delivered to attain expected outcomes including specific goals and interventions delineating nursing actions unique to each patient’s needs.
• Assists in the development and attainment of OPS department goals and objectives; participates in activities to improve department functioning and to enhance own professional competence.
• Assist in the orientation of qualified personnel to provide optimum patient care; demonstrate the ability to evaluate suggestions and criticisms objectively and wherever necessary, undertakes to change behavior or seek further guidance, and participates in program evaluation.
• Participates in in-service programs; serves as a role model and central resource person for students. Explains and clarifies organization policies and procedures to patients and their caregivers; utilizes opportunities groups to further knowledge and understanding of mental health problems.
• Maintain effective communication with all units and departments; maintain designated lines of authority; function within the policies and philosophies of the organization; perform and supervise direct patient care as required. Identify extrapyramidal side effects and their causes and responds notifying the assigned physician; carry out medication management responsibilities associated with the treatment of acutely psychotic adults; practices non-violent crisis intervention theory and techniques. Communicates effectively with physician regarding patients’ physical and mental condition; conduct medication management and education groups as assigned. Implement therapeutic interventions for non-compliant patients; provide input into discharge planning process.
• Establish and maintain a good rapport and working relationships to foster intra and inter-departmental communications necessary for the delivery of quality patient care; respond to requests for information from patients, families, and caregivers; provide directions as necessary; reflect the confidentiality of patient and organization information; communicate pertinent information as necessary by telephone and/or writing.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to priorities in assignments; perform routine assignments independently, seeking direction when indicated for unusual or non-routine duties; advise appropriate personnel of situations requiring additional nursing expertise or technical follow-up.

Required Skills and Experience:

Knowledge of:

• Basic knowledge of medical terminology especially those terms associated with psychiatric care.
• Experience with adult psychiatric or geriatric patients; in addition to skills in teaching or assisting with activities of daily living.
• Basic knowledge of treatment procedures/familiarity with psychotropic medications.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Good understanding of the English language.

Skills in:

• Demonstrates sound leadership and strong communication skills verbally and written.
• Organizes, directs, supervises, and evaluates professional and ancillary personnel.
• Excellent observations skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Ability to:

• Must be able to multi-task and have great communication/observation skills.
• Maintain highly confidential information.
• Skilled in prioritizing and managing time; and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise self-control in potentially volatile situations, such as verbally or being physically confronted in a threatening or aggressive manner.

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• Valid California Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Psychiatric Technician license or Valid Registered Nurse License from the California Board of Registered Nursing in good standing.
• Current CPS/Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
• Understanding of psychiatric illness and its treatment, and knowledge of psychotropic medication.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• One year of psychiatric nursing experience.
• Supervisory experience.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
• Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision sees details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Walk and/or stand for long periods of time (3/4 of the workday).
• Lift up to fifteen (15) pounds.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Accident Insurance, Hospital plan & Critical Illness Plan
• Dental & Vision
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Referral Bonus Plan
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Legal Assistance Plan
• Life insurance
• Medical (Employee and dependent contributions)
• PDO (Paid Days Off)
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Sick time

Conditions of Employment

In compliance with API’s policies and guidelines, all API employees are required to adhere to the following:

Background/Reference Check & Licensure/Certification

• Completion of a satisfactory background and reference checks.
• Employee signed employment non-compete/confidentiality agreement
• Individuals whose position may require licensure, registration or certification must maintain such as current and valid. It is the employee's responsibility to send updated copies to Human Resources before the expiration date. It is the employee's responsibility to notify Human Resources of any changes or proposed changes in status to licensure, registration, or certification. Failure to do so could result in employee suspension.

Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations; Medical

• Provide a copy of COVID-19 Vaccination OR have an Exemption Request (Deferred Pregnancy, Medical, or Religious) approved by the API HR Director; and those who have an approved Exemption must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and observe all other infection control requirements, including face coverings.
• Annual Flu vaccination is required as a condition of hire and ongoing employment. Only those who are allergic to the vaccine or meet contraindications as indicated on the current CDC Vaccine Information Statement shall be exempt from this condition of hire and ongoing employment but are required to wear a mask while inside an API owned or operated building or vehicle during influenza season, Employees must provide physician documentation to support any reported allergy or contraindication. Flu season typically runs between November and March.
• Pass drug and alcohol test performed by Concentra.
• Clear TB skin test or Chest X-Ray at Concentra.
• Complete a satisfactory physical examination at Concentra designed solely to determine your ability to perform the duties of the position being offered.

EEO Statement

API provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.