RNs in Assessment Center

-Looking for rewarding work helping children and youth?

-Interested in working with a dynamic, supportive and dedicated team of mental health aids, clinicians, nurses and psychiatrists?

-12 hour shifts, FT and PT available (full benefits available for 30 hours a week!!)

-No travel

New Alternatives, Inc. (NAI) is a large non-profit agency in San Diego and Orange County providing mental health services to the most vulnerable youth in the county. NAI operates residential programs, outpatient/crisis/behavioral programs, emergency/crisis programs, THP-TAY programs and foster family programs. The Emergency Screening Unit (ESU) is an outpatient clinic with a CSU (Crisis Stabilization Unit) designation. ESU has been the only screening and assessment LPS facility for youth, in an acute psychiatric crisis, in the county since 1995.

Our psychiatric nurses work with kids in crisis by providing mental health care to children who are experiencing a mental health crisis, such as suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or psychosis. The job description for a psych nurse working with kids in crisis includes:

1. Assessing Patients: The psych nurse will conduct an initial assessment of the child, including an evaluation of their mental and physical health, their medical history, and any medication they are taking. They will also assess the child's current mental state and identify any symptoms of a mental health crisis.

2. Developing Discharge Plans: Based on the assessment, the psych nurse will work with ESU MDs, the child and their family to develop a plan that addresses the child's mental health needs. The plan may include medication, therapy, and other referrals for outpatient services that will address the mental health needs post-discharge. This discharge plan may also be coordinating a transfer to an inpatient bed for higher level treatment

3. Monitoring Medications: If the child is prescribed medication, the psych nurse will monitor their medication regimen. They will also monitor the child for any side effects or adverse reactions to the medication as well as assess for any emergency meds necessary

4. Collaborating with Other Healthcare Professionals: The psych nurse will work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists, to ensure that the child receives comprehensive and coordinated care.

5. Crisis Intervention: The psych nurse may also provide crisis intervention services, such as responding to suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors.

6. Education: The psych nurse will educate the child and their family about mental health conditions, treatment options, and coping strategies.

7. Documentation: The psych nurse will maintain detailed records of the child's treatment and progress, including assessments, treatment plans, and interventions.

ESU is a County-contracted program of a 12-bed crisis stabilization unit centrally located in Hillcrest, CA. Our team of MDs, RNs, LVNs/LPTs, Clinicians and Mental Health Aids serve youth and families in crisis, while working to stabilize the crisis and discharge to the lowest level of care possible.

New Alternatives, Inc offers competitive pay starting between $40-$42/hour on day shift and $43-$44/hour on overnights, excellent benefits and full time/part time opportunities for RNs at ESU, along with 12 hour shifts on days & nights.

Here is what some ESU RNs have said about working at ESU:

“For me, the thing that I value the most in working at ESU and made me stay all these years is the feeling that you are not just an employee, you are part of the family, you are a partner!” ~ESU RN since 2015

• “I’ve worked other places and ESU is so organized and has so much built-in support from Admin” ~ESU RN since 2018