LVN-Per Diem

Ocean View Psychiatric Hospital; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

Ocean View Psychiatric Hospital seeks an LVN for acute inpatient care. You will deliver medications, monitor patients, document care, and participate in treatment planning within a multidisciplinary team.

The role supports 12-hour shifts in a 24/7 facility, with weekend and holiday coverage. A CA LVN license and strong behavioral health nursing skills are required.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited LVN program.
• Current California LVN license.
• 2 years in behavioral health or related setting preferred.
• Ability to pass facility medication test.

Responsibilities

• Administer medications accurately and maintain medication room/cart per clinical best practices and regulations.
• Monitor patients for adverse drug reactions; report observations to physicians, pharmacists, and charge nurses.
• Perform nursing activities as assigned within scope of practice and under RN supervision.
• Assist with patient admissions and discharges.
• Complete and maintain thorough documentation in the medical record within established timeframes.
• Participate in treatment team meetings.
• Knowledge of medication side effects, normal dosages, and contraindications for all administered medications.
• Perform clinical procedures as directed by physicians.

Skills

Medication administration

Patient monitoring

Documentation

Team coordination

Verbal/Written communication

Education

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program

California LVN license

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Clinical software

Job description

We are proud to serve as a trusted resource for our community, providing high-quality mental health care with compassion and integrity. Our Long Beach facility currently operates as a 79-bed adult voluntary acute inpatient program, offering private rooms and individualized treatment delivered by a multidisciplinary team. We are dedicated to best practices and person-centered care, supporting each patient's journey toward stability and recovery. To promote continuity of care beyond inpatient treatment, we also offer Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs tailored to meet each individual's clinical needs. We are also actively expanding our services across Southern California, with our new San Bernardino campus expected to open later this year.

Department: Psychiatric Adult Inpatient
Position Type: Per Diem

Schedule & Hours:

• Must work a minimum of four (4) 12-hour shifts per calendar month that includes a combination of weekdays and weekends.
• Reliability and flexibility for weekend rotations and holidays are required
• Shifts available are 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM and 7:00 PM – 7:30 AM

Note: Shifts are granted based on hospital census and unit staffing needs. Per diem staff are subject to cancellation first if patient volume is low.

Position Summary

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) at Ocean View Psychiatric Health Facility play a vital role in delivering high-quality care to adult patients in an acute inpatient psychiatric setting. Under the supervision of the Director of Nursing and direct oversight of the Charge RN, LVNs provide essential nursing services in accordance with clinical protocols, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

LVNs may function as medication nurses or floor nurses, with responsibilities including medication administration, monitoring adverse reactions, assisting with admissions and discharges, and maintaining timely and accurate documentation. This role also involves active participation in treatment team meetings and the development of individualized care plans. A strong commitment to patient safety, professional communication, and collaborative teamwork is essential to success in this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer medications accurately and maintain medication room/cart per clinical best practices and regulations
• Monitor patients for adverse drug reactions; report observations to physicians, pharmacists, and charge nurses
• Perform nursing activities as assigned within scope of practice and under RN supervision
• Assist with patient admissions and discharges
• Complete and maintain thorough documentation in the medical record within established timeframes
• Participate actively in treatment team meetings
• Knowledge of medication side effects, normal dosages, and contraindications for all administered medications
• Perform clinical procedures as directed by physicians

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program required
• Current, valid, and unrestricted LVN license issued by the State of California
• 2 years of experience in a behavioral health, healthcare, or related human services setting preferred.
• Ability to pass a facility-administered medication test during orientation and prior to independently administering medications
• Demonstrated competency in behavioral health nursing and patient care techniques
• Ability to provide safe, effective care to adult psychiatric patients in an inpatient setting
• Understanding of psychiatric regulations, HIPAA, patient rights, and applicable accreditation standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, Title 22)
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across disciplines and departments Demonstrated sound professional judgment; clinical judgment where applicable to licensure/role.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and standard keyboard functions for data entry and electronic documentation
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Experience using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for documentation and coordination of care
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and culturally responsive practices
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, or other languages commonly spoken by the patient population preferred.
• $2.00/hour shift differential for eligible NOC (overnight) shifts
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and advancement within the organization

Physical & Mental Requirements

• Independent body mobility to frequently stand, walk long distance corridors, descend and the ability to bend, stoop and sit for a prolonged time.
• May require significant strength and alertness in a crisis to apply non-violent crisis intervention to containment techniques, or to provide CPR.
• Ability to safely assist with the physical management, lifting, or repositioning of adult patients, including those who may be physically resistive or assaultive, potentially weighing 100 pounds or more, in accordance with facility safety protocols and training.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, composed, and effective in high-stress or crisis situations.

Depending on assignment of position may be required to work in a locked unit with juveniles, formerly incarcerated, and individuals assigned to guardianship who have complex social, and psycho-social needs; may be assigned to evening or night shift, assigned to work weekends, and to work holidays as needed as Ocean View is a 24-hour, 7 day a week facility and coverage is essential; environment can be noisy and sporadically chaotic, and may be exposed to hostile patients and profanity.

Special Conditions

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Live Scan fingerprinting, background check clearance, and verification of required licenses, certifications, and education
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; Ocean View does not provide visa sponsorship for certain roles unless otherwise specified
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or variable shifts as needed, based on operational or patient care needs.
• Compliance with additional credentialing and regulatory requirements implemented by the facility, including obtaining an individual NPI and completing LPS training and certification, is a condition of continued employment in the RN role. These requirements are considered standard role expectations and do not result in changes to title or compensation.