Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) (Crisis Walk In)

Description

OUR MISSION

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.

Indio Crisis Walk-in Center

WEA’s Crisis Walk-In (CWI) Center, located on the behavioral health campus of Riverside University Health System in Indio, CA, offers 24/7 walk-in, voluntary crisis services for adults and children ages 5 and older. Designed to provide immediate, accessible care, the center serves up to 20 patients at a time, including both youth and adults.

Position Summary
The Psychiatric Registered Nurse (RN) provides high-level clinical care within WEA’s Crisis Walk-In (CWI) program, serving youth and adults experiencing acute behavioral health crises. This role is central to front-line triage, rapid clinical assessment, crisis stabilization, and safe care transitions in a fast-paced, walk-in environment.

The RN functions as a clinical decision-maker and care coordinator, responsible for initiating nursing interventions, supporting psychiatric evaluations, and identifying decompensation and the need for higher levels of care. This role requires strong clinical judgment, the ability to operate autonomously within scope, and comfort managing dynamic, high-acuity behavioral health presentations.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team—including prescribers, behavioral health clinicians, peer support specialists, and care coordinators—the Psychiatric RN ensures safe, efficient, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care delivery.

Key Highlights

• Compensation: The compensation range for this role is $48–$62 per hour DOE, with final compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, and role scope.
• Work Location & Expectations: This role requires daily in-person engagement at Indio Crisis Walk-in Center location with the availability to work rotating weekend shifts as part of a 24/7 crisis care environment. 
• Professional Development: Opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional leaders across Behavioral Health, Medical, Street Medicine, Public Health, Rural Health, and Tribal Health initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Triage & Rapid Assessment

• Perform initial triage for all walk-in patients, prioritizing care based on clinical risk and safety needs.
• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric and medical nursing assessments, including vital signs, suicide risk screening, withdrawal monitoring, and behavioral observations.
• Identify medical instability or underlying medical conditions and initiate appropriate escalation or transfer to higher levels of care.
• Utilize clinical judgment to initiate nursing protocols and interventions in alignment with established guidelines.

2. Crisis Stabilization & Nursing Interventions

• Implement timely nursing interventions to support rapid stabilization, symptom reduction, and patient safety.
• Provide continuous monitoring of psychiatric status, withdrawal symptoms, and medical concerns.
• Maintain a therapeutic, trauma-informed approach during acute behavioral episodes.
• Support real-time clinical decision-making in collaboration with the care team.

3. Medication Administration & Monitoring

• Administer psychotropic and non-psychiatric medications per provider orders and standing protocols.
• Monitor for side effects, adverse reactions, and therapeutic response.
• Respond to acute changes in condition, including medication-related emergencies, per protocol.
• Ensure accurate medication documentation, reconciliation, and safe handling practices.

4. Crisis Intervention, De-escalation & Safety

• Utilize evidence-based de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed approaches to manage behavioral crises.
• Support patients in emotional regulation, grounding, and safety planning.
• Participate in team-based safety interventions as appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of involuntary hold (e.g., 5150) criteria and support evaluation and transfer processes as indicated.

5. Care Coordination & Management

• Collaborate with prescribers, behavioral health clinicians, and care team members to support efficient patient flow and timely care delivery.
• Communicate changes in patient condition and escalate concerns promptly.
• Facilitate transitions of care, including referrals to higher levels of care, outpatient services, or community resources.
• Function as shift lead/charge nurse as assigned, supporting the Nurse Manager in overseeing clinical operations while maintaining an active patient assignment and ensuring safe, coordinated, and efficient care delivery.

6. Patient & Family Education

• Provide education on diagnoses, medications, crisis management strategies, and follow-up care.
• Support patients and families in understanding treatment plans, safety considerations, and available resources.

7. Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

• Complete timely, accurate, and thorough documentation of assessments, interventions, medications, and outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, clinical protocols, and regulatory standards.
• Maintain strict adherence to HIPAA and confidentiality requirements.
• Meet program expectations for documentation timeliness and quality metrics.

8. Safety & Operations

• Support a safe, therapeutic, and structured care environment.
• Participate in environmental safety checks and incident prevention.
• Assist with clinical supply management and medication inventory as needed.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives and workflow optimization efforts.
• Perform other duties as needed to support site operations.

Requirements

 Required Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted California Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program.
• Current BLS certification.
• Minimum 1 year of psychiatric nursing experience.
• Strong clinical assessment, crisis intervention, and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment.
• Availability to work rotating weekend shifts as part of a 24/7 crisis care environment. 
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHRs).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in psychiatric, crisis, emergency department, or behavioral health settings.
• PMH-BC (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse - Board Certified).
• CPI, MAB, SAMA, or equivalent certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
• Knowledge of crisis care systems, including 988 continuum and involuntary hold processes (e.g., 5150).
• Experience working with individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred).

Key Competencies

• Clinical judgment and rapid decision-making.
• Crisis stabilization and risk assessment.
• Medication management and patient monitoring.
• De-escalation and therapeutic communication.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Team-based care and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The RN must be able to:

• Stand, walk, or sit for extended periods in a behavioral health care setting.
• Participate in de-escalation and safety interventions (as trained and appropriate).
• Lift up to 25 pounds and assist with patient movement as needed.
• Work in a fast-paced environment with varying levels of behavioral and emotional intensity.
• Maintain focus and effectiveness during high-pressure situations.