Psychiatric Nurse

Position Title

Public Health Nurse Level I/II – Psychiatric Nurse

5:00 PM on 3/16/26, 5/18/26, 7/20/26, 9/14/26, 11/16/26

Vacancies may be permanent or intermittent on‑call (per‑diem). Shift differential may be available in addition to base salary:

• PM (swing) shift – 5%
• NOC (grave) – 10%
• Weekend – $1.00 per hour worked

Psychiatric Nurse performs professional nursing duties in the care of mentally ill and emotionally disturbed patients; advises and collaborates with other staff and interdisciplinary health treatment teams in diagnosis and treatment planning for such patients; and assists and participates in various administrative and mental health program activities.

• Professional nursing principles, procedures, and techniques used in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients
• Social, psychological, and physical factors of mental and emotional disorders
• Medical and psychiatric terminology
• Medications, including narcotics and their effects upon psychiatric patients
• Control procedures, preparation, and administration of medications
• State of California laws and regulations on nursing practices
• Basic laws and regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and treatment of the mentally ill
• Basic theories, principles, and techniques of group and individual psychotherapy
• Basic general procedures and organization of mental health treatment facilities and multidisciplinary treatment teams
• Symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed and mentally ill patients
• Standard professional methods of physically restraining psychiatric patients
• Medical and social community resources available to patients
• First aid

• Apply professional psychiatric nursing care principles and practices in the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric patients
• Communicate with and gain the cooperation of patients
• Keep accurate written charts and records of patient activities and progress
• Learn and comply with laws, rules, regulations, protocols, and procedures, including security requirements, applicable to the work unit
• Use professional judgment to determine and apply appropriate intervention techniques with patients in crisis
• Work cooperatively with other mental health treatment practitioners to provide an integrated treatment plan
• Conduct and review reports of interviews of patients to evaluate their condition and determine the circumstances causing them to require mental health treatment services
• Conduct and assist in formal and informal individual and group counseling
• Assist in and physically subdue resisting patients with a minimum of force necessary to effect a restraint
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with patients, their families, facility and clinic personnel, and others
• Maintain patient confidentiality

Possession of a current Registered Nurse license issued by the State of California.

• All persons appointed must possess and maintain a current Registered Nurse license issued by the State of California. Failure to maintain such a license may be cause for disciplinary action in accordance with Civil Service Commission Rules.
• All persons appointed will be required to have, or obtain, and maintain a valid CPR certificate.

• Background/Criminal History:
  The County may access criminal history information on all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for the above job class consistent with applicable policies and law.
• Physical Abilities:
  All persons appointed must be physically able to restrain and assist in restraining patients. Persons appointed may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Child and Elder Abuse Reporting:
  Persons selected for employment must, as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 and 11160 of the California Penal Code relating to child and elder abuse reporting.

Six (6) months.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of…