Lead Registered Nurse

Position Details

Position Title
:
Lead Registered Nurse (RN)

Program/Dept
:
Marshall Street clinic, Redwood City (Case management programs) and Zanker Road clinic, San Jose (Mental Health outpatient programs)
Reports to
:
Medical Director
Classification
:
Regular, full-time, non-exempt

Shift
:
Monday - Friday
Location
: onsite; alternating between the Marshall Street and Zanker Road sites

Salary Range
: $65-80 & Benefits

Caminar is a leading behavioral health organization that supports thousands of youths and adults across multiple counties in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. With decades of experience since our founding in 1964, we provide comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment, and wrap-around services, delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care. Caminar’s vision is to be a beacon of safety, compassion, and fulfillment, supporting all those in our communities who need it most.

Our mission is to build strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care.

Caminar values diversity. People of all races, ethnicities, countries of origin, faiths, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome here. To learn more, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Under supervision of the Medical Director, the Lead Registered Nurse (Lead RN) provides clinical nursing leadership across outpatient psychiatry; ensuring scope-aligned, high-reliability delivery of LAIs, labs, vitals and nursing documentation. Supervises LVNs and leads clinical triage and first escalation prior to MD/NP involvement. The Lead RN will also continuously focus on clinical workflows to streamline, improve, and optimize processes across sites. They will emphasize quality and audit readiness.

• Provide oversight of performance of all nursing team members and facilitate scope-appropriate triage for LVNs.

• Serve as the primary nursing escalation point prior to prescriber involvement.

• Effectively and consistently monitor medication side effects/safety and coordinate timely escalation.

• Ensure timely and accurate LAI, labs, vitals, and nursing assessments.

• Standardize cross-site workflows; maintain audit readiness.

• Participate in case conferences, QA reviews, and performance huddles.

• Provide direct client care when needed, namely if there is a shortage of nurse coverage in the clinic.

• Supervise, coach, and onboard LVNs; reinforce Title 16 scope.

• Educate nursing team on psychotropic monitoring, harm reduction, and chronic disease supports.

• Track core nursing KPIs (LAI adherence; labs/vitals completion; documentation accuracy; timeliness) and work with nurses to optimize performance in these areas.

• Review nursing team metrics on billable service volume and revenue, working with each team member to optimize service delivery to clients.

• Support coverage planning/scheduling with leadership.

• Partner with Medical Director and/or Chief Clinical Officer on policy and workflow updates.

• Remain flexible and willing to float between clinics/locations based on clinical and team demand.

• Active California RN license (required).

• ≥2 years psychiatric/community mental health experience (preferred).

• Working knowledge of LAIs, psychotropic monitoring, HTN/DM/metabolic risk.

• Proficiency in using EHR platforms and software.

• Experience overseeing services that involve recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

• Demonstrated experience exhibiting strong clinical judgment, particularly in situations that require triage and escalation.

• At least 3 years of direct experience supervising and overseeing a team of LVNs; demonstrated aptitude in people management.

• Experience implementing workflows and participating in ongoing improvement of processes.

• Physical:
  Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs., and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods.

• Sensory:
  Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, and speak/understand English.

• Cognitive:
  Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments over days.

• Environmental Conditions:
  
  Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed environments. Occasional exposure to toxins, dust, and loud noises.

• Equipment:
  Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, licensing regulations, and Caminar…