Nurse Manager

Wellness Equity Alliance; Indio (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Continuing education reimbursement

Bilingual differential

Job summary

Wellness Equity Alliance is seeking a Nurse Manager to lead the Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center in Indio, CA. You will oversee nursing operations, ensure trauma-informed care, and supervise RNs and LVNs across all shifts.

Qualifications include a CA RN license, BSN, BLS, and crisis de-escalation training within 90 days. The role involves collaboration with psychiatrists, clinicians, and EMS in a high-acuity, 24/7 setting.

Qualifications

• BSN required; MSN/MHA preferred.
• Active, unencumbered CA RN license required.
• Current BLS certification required.
• CPI or crisis de-escalation certification within 90 days of hire.
• PMH-BC preferred; ACLS preferred.
• 3 years RN experience in psychiatric/behavioral health or crisis settings; 2 years supervisory experience.
• Experience with involuntary hold procedures preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate nursing staff across all shifts.
• Coordinate ongoing training in de-escalation and trauma-informed care.
• Develop and maintain nursing policies aligned with CA regulations.
• Monitor quality metrics and lead improvement initiatives.
• Ensure 24/7 staffing coverage and safe patient care.
• Oversee triage, assessment, and stabilization of psychiatric crises.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, and law enforcement.

Skills

Clinical judgment

Leadership

Communication

Bilingual

Regulatory knowledge

Education

BSN

MSN/MHA preferred

Tools

Netsmart

Epic

Cerner

Job description

Description

About Wellness Equity Alliance

Wellness Equity Alliance is a national multidisciplinary health organization that designs and delivers integrated, community-based care for populations most impacted by health inequities. We do this through mobile and field-based models, providing medical care, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, harm reduction, and care coordination in nontraditional settings such as encampments, schools, reentry sites, and rural communities, as well as with sovereign tribal nations. Grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and data-driven practices, WEA combines clinical expertise, lived experience, and advanced population health analytics to reduce barriers to care, improve continuity, and strengthen local systems. We have partnered with more than 60 public agencies, managed care plans, and community-based organizations across the U.S. to implement scalable, sustainable programs that are advancing health equity and improving outcomes for historically marginalized populations.

We are known as Renegades, Rebels, Disruptors, and Dreamers. If that sounds like you, we want you on our team.

Position Summary

The Nurse Manager provides clinical and administrative leadership for the Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, trauma-informed nursing care to individuals experiencing psychiatric and behavioral health crises. This role oversees daily nursing operations, supervises nursing staff, ensures regulatory compliance, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, therapists, peer support specialists, case managers, and law enforcement/EMS liaisons, to maintain a therapeutic, safe, and efficient crisis care environment operating on a 24/7 walk-in basis.

Key Responsibilities

Staff Supervision & Development

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and evaluate nursing staff (RNs and LVNs) across all shifts
• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and competency validation for the nursing team
• Conduct regular staff meetings, performance reviews, and corrective action as needed
• Coordinate ongoing training in de-escalation, trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and crisis intervention (e.g., CPI, Mental Health First Aid)
• Foster a supportive, low-burnout work environment given the high-acuity nature of crisis care

Operations & Quality Management

• Ensure 24/7 staffing coverage and manage call-offs, overtime, and shift coverage
• Develop and maintain nursing policies and procedures aligned with California Code of Regulations Titles 9 and 22, Joint Commission, and Riverside County behavioral health standards
• Monitor quality metrics (wait times, restraint/seclusion use, medication errors, patient satisfaction) and lead performance improvement initiatives
• Ensure accurate, timely clinical documentation in the EHR system
• Participate in incident reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning

Clinical Leadership & Patient Care Oversight

• Oversee triage, assessment, and stabilization of clients presenting with acute psychiatric crises, co-occurring substance use, and behavioral emergencies
• Ensure nursing staff conduct timely risk assessments (suicide/homicide risk, medical clearance needs) per established protocols
• Monitor patient flow to minimize wait times while maintaining safety and quality of care
• Serve as a clinical resource for de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention
• Ensure medication administration, monitoring, and documentation comply with scope of practice and facility policy
• Respond to and manage critical incidents, including escalations, elopements, and medical emergencies

Regulatory Compliance & Safety

• Maintain compliance with California Title 22, Welfare and Institutions Code §5150/§5585 involuntary hold procedures, HIPAA, and Riverside County Behavioral Health guidelines
• Ensure environment of care standards are met, including safety checks, contraband protocols, and ligature risk mitigation
• Prepare for and participate in licensing surveys, audits, and accreditation reviews
• Maintain infection control and safety standards throughout the unit

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Partner with psychiatrists, clinicians, peer support staff, and administrative leadership to coordinate care
• Liaise with local hospitals, law enforcement and mobile crisis teams, EMS, and community mental health agencies for care coordination and transfers
• Participate in leadership meetings, quality committees, and community stakeholder engagement

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
• Master's degree (MSN, MHA, or related field) preferred

Licensure & Certification

• Active, unencumbered California Registered Nurse (RN) license required
• Current BLS certification required
• CPI or equivalent crisis de-escalation certification required within 90 days of hire
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC) preferred
• ACLS preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of RN experience in psychiatric/behavioral health, emergency, or crisis settings
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or management experience
• Experience with involuntary hold procedures (§5150/§5585) strongly preferred
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-acuity walk-in or emergency department environment preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong clinical judgment in crisis assessment and risk stratification
• Proven leadership, conflict resolution, and staff development skills
• Knowledge of California behavioral health regulatory requirements
• Proficiency with EHR systems (e.g., Netsmart, Epic, Cerner)
• Excellent communication skills; bilingual English/Spanish a plus
• Ability to remain calm and effective under high-stress, unpredictable conditions

Working Conditions

• On-site position at the Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in Center in Indio, CA
• May require rotating on-call availability and occasional off-hours response to critical incidents
• Regular exposure to individuals in acute psychiatric distress; requires strict adherence to safety protocols
• Must be able to respond quickly to emergent situations and assist with safe patient handling as needed

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay range: $99,840 – $115,000 annually, based on experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Continuing education reimbursement
• Bilingual differential (if applicable)