RN - Full time

Discovery Behavioral Health; Del Mar (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Discovery Behavioral Health in Del Mar, CA is seeking a Registered Nurse to join a multidisciplinary team providing integrated medical and behavioral health care. You will perform admissions evaluations, develop care plans, and administer medications while maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment.

The role emphasizes collaboration with physicians and therapists, accurate documentation, and patient education to support recovery journeys.

Qualifications

• BSN preferred; ADN accepted.
• Current RN license in good standing.
• One year experience in mental health, substance use, or eating disorders.
• Ability to draw blood.
• CPR and First Aid certification required.

Responsibilities

• Perform face-to-face admissions evaluations for medical appropriateness.
• Develop and initiate Nursing Care Plans.
• Administer medications per orders and document effects.
• Maintain safe, therapeutic milieu and patient supervision.
• Support discharge planning and continuity of care.
• Document patient progress accurately and timely.

Skills

Team collaboration

Clinical assessment

Patient education

Documentation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

ADN acceptable

RN license in good standing

Tools

CPR/First Aid certified

Job description

Position Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) is a vital member of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, delivering compassionate, evidence-based care in alignment with the Discovery Behavioral Health Clinical Model. In this role, the RN serves as both a clinical expert and patient advocate-supporting safety, stability, and meaningful progress in each patient's recovery journey. Through skilled assessment, thoughtful intervention, and ongoing collaboration with the treatment team, the RN helps create a therapeutic environment grounded in trust, dignity, and clinical excellence. By integrating medical and behavioral health care, the RN plays a critical role in improving outcomes and empowering patients toward lasting healing.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care & Clinical Support

• Meets with each potential admission to complete a face-to-face evaluation, ensuring medical appropriateness for admission and collaborating with medical/psychiatric providers to obtain admission orders.
• Supports the admission process with care and diligence, including belongings checks and safety searches as needed.
• Completes comprehensive initial nursing assessments and facilitates the full medical admission process for each patient.
• Develops and initiates Nursing Care Plans, as appropriate, to guide individualized patient care.
• Assess medical concerns, including suicidality and risk of harm to self or others, and communicates findings to the appropriate clinical team members.
• Performs vital signs, basic evaluative procedures, tests, and blood draws to support ongoing assessment and monitoring.
• Provides primary first aid and determines the need for physician notification, ensuring timely and appropriate intervention.
• Maintains a safe, structured milieu and supports patients throughout the treatment experience, including supervision during community outings in compliance with state regulations.
• Assists with the discharge process, supporting continuity and readiness for the next level of care.
• Maintains an organized, safe, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff.

Medication Administration & Management

• Ensures all provider orders are carried out accurately and in a timely manner.
• Verifies informed consent for all medications is obtained prior to the first dose.
• Administers medications as prescribed, including PRN medications, and documents effectiveness within required timelines.
• Oversees the medication management system, including medication planning, storage, ordering, transcribing, administration, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Ensures all medications required for patients are ordered appropriately and available within the facility.
• Maintains compliance with narcotic diversion protocols, ensuring all required processes are completed each shift.

Collaboration & Patient Education

• Collaborates closely with medical staff and the interdisciplinary treatment team to review patient care, needs, and interventions.
• Communicates effectively with families and loved ones, as appropriate, to support engagement and continuity of care.
• Establishes rapport with patients through professional, compassionate, and respectful interactions.
• Provides health education to patients and staff, empowering understanding and informed participation in care.
• Communicates with referral sources and outpatient providers to support continuity of care at admission, midpoint, and discharge, as needed.
• Manages patient medical needs, including scheduling appointments, completing referrals, and securing prior authorizations for necessary treatments and tests.

Documentation & Compliance

• Documents patient progress objectively, accurately, and within required timelines in accordance with policy.
• Ensures all clinical practices align with regulatory standards and organizational expectations.
• Maintains accurate records related to medication administration, assessments, and patient care activities.

Professional Practice

• Demonstrates clinical knowledge, including understanding of Axis I diagnoses and associated symptoms, to inform patient care.
• Maintains a fully stocked, organized, and operational nursing station, ensuring readiness to meet patient needs.
• Demonstrates professionalism, initiative, and accountability in all aspects of the role.
• Ensures timely communication regarding scheduling needs, including requesting time off and securing appropriate coverage.
• Contributes to a culture of teamwork, flexibility, and shared responsibility by performing additional duties as assigned.

Residential Treatment Only

• Provides transportation services including patient transportation/supervision, medical appointments, etc. (must be pre-qualified to drive a company vehicle)
• Substance and Mental Health Use Disorder Division:
  • Monitoring of CIWA/COW scores for patients on detoxification protocols.
  • Knowledge of detoxification medication, withdrawal symptoms, and medical complications that can occur in detox.
  • Provide assistance to Utilization Review in communicating pertinent nursing information

Knowledge, Education, Experience

• Bachelor of Science and Nursing preferred.
• ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) accepted.
• Holds a current RN license in good standing.
• One year experience preferred working in mental health, substance use, or eating disorders field.
• Ability to draw blood required.
• Preferred: Experience as a staff nurse, preferably in the field of chemical dependency and/or behavioral health.
• Possess and maintain a current Basic Life Support (CPR and First Aid) certification.
• Knowledge of industry standards: organization, theory, principles, and research processes, accreditation and regulatory standards, ability to assess clinical care requirements based on nursing principles, scope of practice.
• Obtain CPI certification within 90 days of hire.
• One year experience preferred working in mental health, substance use, or eating disorders field.
• Familiar with behavior change, recovery models, and treatment methods
• Knowledge of medications, indications, dosage ranges, side effects, and potential toxicity.

Employment Status:

Full time

Schedule:

7a-730pm and/or 11a-1130pm rotating

Work location:

Del Mar, CA

Compensation Range:

$45-55 hourly