Registered Nurse

DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITAL - ATASCADERO; Atascadero (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITAL - ATASCADERO is seeking a Safety Registered Nurse to support units with safe, therapeutic care in a state hospital setting in Atascadero, CA.

The incumbent will perform nursing duties including medication administration, patient assessment, and care planning under clinical supervision, while applying trauma-informed approaches and emergency response protocols to ensure patient and staff safety.

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted RN license in California.
• Experience in acute or psychiatric hospital settings.
• Current BLS certification; ACLS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer medications (oral and injections) and monitor patient condition; document nursing notes.
• Assess and record patient acuity; report significant changes to shift lead or physician.
• Assess/authorize restraints and seclusion; develop nursing diagnoses and care plans.
• Perform CPR and follow infection control procedures.
• Participate in security-related procedures and ensure safety within the unit.
• Apply Trauma Informed Care and Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions in emergency situations.

Skills

Patient assessment

Care planning

Clinical decision-making

Education

Active, unrestricted RN license in California

Tools

BLS certification

ACLS preferred

Job description

Company Description

DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITAL - ATASCADERO is a state-operated hospital and health care organization located in Atascadero, California. The hospital provides comprehensive inpatient services to individuals requiring specialized psychiatric and medical care.

Registered Nurse (Safety)

The incumbent will be directed by the Unit Supervisor, Senior Psychiatric Technician, RN Shift Lead, or Health Services Specialist on the assigned Program/Unit at the Department of State Hospitals - Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Helps to create a clean, safe and therapeutic environment for patients or inmates.


• Apply mental health principles and relationship security with patients or inmates.


• Performs nursing procedures such as administering medications including oral medications and hypodermic injection, observing and assessing patients or inmates physical condition and behavior and reporting significant changes to the shift lead or physician and recording nursing notes in the patients or inmate record.


• Assess and record patient acuity ratings.


• Assess and authorize Restraint and Seclusion, determine Nursing Diagnosis and prepare Nursing Care Plans.


• CPR and follow infection control procedures.


• Participate in shakedowns; i.e., searching for drugs, contraband, weapons and inspecting facilities to identify security breaches that could lead to the escape of a patient or inmate; observing and intervening in patient behavior that may injure people, damage property or signal impending escape attempts.


• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI), that includes patient containment, heavy lifting, applying restraints, and responding to emergency situations throughout the hospital.

Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of California.


• Demonstrated skills in patient assessment, care planning, and clinical decision-making in acute or psychiatric settings.


• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) preferred.


• Experience in hospital or behavioral health settings is highly beneficial.