Psychiatric Nurse (Open & Promotional)

NOTE: This recruitment schedule was amended on 07/13/2023 to extend the Final Filing Date. This recruitment has been changed to "Continuous."

Through growth and change, San Mateo Medical Center, a Division of San Mateo County Health, remains committed to providing quality medical care to meet the health needs of the community. Our commitment is to provide quality, patient-centered care with a compassionate touch.

Are you passionate about serving and making a difference in the community? Are you looking to join a progressive and committed healthcare department? Join Us!

San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is an integrated delivery system of healthcare focused on the needs of the underserved, within a County system of care. SMMC serves as a key provider within the Health Plan of San Mateo's (HPSM) public/private network. Our integrated delivery system includes a fully accredited acute care hospital-that includes ED, PES, OR, endoscopy, and short stay unit, 7-bed ICU, general medical/surgical unit (62-bed capacity), acute inpatient psychiatry (17-bed capacity), and on-campus skilled nursing unit (32 beds) and 11 clinics located across the County's diverse and dispersed population.

SMMC is always seeking ways to enhance the already impressive services offered. This dedication to excellence is reflected in the exceptional care we provide and the extraordinary professionals who provide it. Here, you will have the chance to develop your talents with a skilled team of people who actively support and encourage each other's success. If you are ready to open new doors for your career and are compelled to work in a safety net, public health environment, join us today!

SMMC is currently seeking skilled Psychiatric Emergency Nurses, with proven experience to work in our Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) and our Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit (3AB). Currently we have two full-time 1.0 FTE positions at 3AB; one 0.8FTE Night Shift, and one 0.5 FTE PM Shift positions. PES has one full-time; one 0.8 FTE Night Shift; and two 0.5 FTE positions (one PM Shift and one TBD).

The nurses hired for PES will float to the Acute Psychiatric Unit as needed. Under the direct supervision of the Charge Nurses, the successful hires will implement the nursing process. Psychiatric Emergency Nurses provide care to psychiatric/mental health patients and are fully competent to independently perform a full range of professional nursing duties and procedures that require the exercise of a high degree of clinical judgment. Incumbents also provide lead direction to other nursing and paraprofessional personnel.

Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) is a 24-hour unit staffed by registered nurses and has a psychiatrist on duty around the clock. The service evaluates patients who may need acute psychiatric services, and provides short-term treatment and referral as needed. Patients present with multiple problems ranging from crisis intervention needs and drug-related issues to psychiatric decompensation requiring a hospital admission. Services are provided to any age group in need of immediate psychiatric care.

The Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit is a 17-bed locked unit specializing in treatment of seriously mentally ill patients, many who also have chronic medical illnesses. This setting offers many professional rewards for the novice through expert nurse seeking a stimulating and dynamic environment.

The ideal candidate has experience working with diverse, multicultural, underserved populations with a focus on mental health. Must be able to remain calm in crises and is skilled in de-escalating patients who are experiencing acute psychiatric illness. Ideal candidates must also be familiar with the wellness and recovery framework. Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is preferred, particularly if a new graduate. This position calls for a strong sense of purpose in providing care for patients with acute psychiatric diagnosis. Critical thinking skills, the ability to formulate an individual care plan of care and carry it out and evaluate the plan while collaborating with the team and including the patient as a partner in care is essential.

Note: The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, permanent, limited-term, extra-help, and/or temporary vacancies.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identify problems, assist in data gathering, propose solutions and participate in evaluation of quality assurance issues.
• Complete patient assessments and triage, as well as record patient histories, symptoms and observations.
• Orient and teach new staff members of the nursing team and students.
• Participate in patient case conferences and rounds.
• Administer treatment and medications.
• Participate in educational programs specific to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing to maintain level of expertise.
• Perform related duties as required by assigned work setting.
• Perform nursing care following prescribed rules, policies, protocol and procedures.
• Develop discharge plans for patients.
• Participate in non-clinical assignments, which may include maintaining records, preparing reports and/or serving on special committees.
• Organize, assign and supervise duties and responsibilities of other staff members as a team leader.
• Operate a variety of medical machinery and equipment.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Maintain knowledge of outpatient resources.
• Work with patients and their families to provide in-hospital and after-hospital follow-up through teaching and referral.
• Establish and implement nursing care plans for each patient through assessment, development, activation and evaluation.
• Provide medication education to patients and their families.

• Monitor patients in restraint and seclusion and maintain patient safety.
• Work with patients and their families to explain post-treatment care needs and provide follow-up referrals to resources.
• Respond to patients in crisis situation with unpredictable violence and de-escalate situation using the least restrictive measures.
• Provide care to psychiatric/mental health patients, including suicidal, potentially violent, confused and dementia patients.
• Room patients, check vital signs, and give injections and Point of Care Testing.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Recognize symptoms of major psychiatric diagnosis.
• Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
• Provide intensive care and evaluation on an almost continuous basis.
• Perform mental status exam and implement plan of care based on assessment findings.

Licensure/Certification: Possession of a California license as a Registered Nurse or equivalent and a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Must obtain a Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certificate within three months of hire.

Knowledge of: Nurse Practice Act; current nursing and related medical theory and skills necessary to administer nursing care within assigned clinical setting; safety and infection control practices, and clinical systems, supplies and equipment.

Skill/Ability to: Perform nursing procedures required for assigned clinical setting; comply with clinical procedures and policies; maintain professional nurse-patient relationships; communicate with and educate patients, families, and the public who come from a diverse background; work harmoniously with other personnel; follow safety practices; assist in the instruction of other nursing and paraprofessional personnel; bend, kneel and squat as needed; occasionally use upper extremities to exert force to push and pull patients/objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more; and work in a busy environment.

Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination will consist of an interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or a screening committee may select those applicants whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position based solely on the information provided in the application materials. Because of this screening process, all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

~TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE~
This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the San Mateo County Human Resources Department.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.

The County of San Mateo may require that all employees provide proof of COVID-19 vaccine or comply with weekly COVID-19 testing. Employees hired into specified health care facilities and other high-risk settings where there is potential for frequent COVID-19 exposure to staff and highly vulnerable patients are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. For more specific information, please refer to the County's COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Policy.