County of Santa Barbara
Notice of Recruitment
Notice: This recruitment will now be open until filled with first considerations on July 11, 2025. Salary and Benefits
$115,885.12 - $139,694.88 Annually Bilingual allowance when applicable Special Duty Assignment allowance of 10% Night Shift and Weekend differential New Hire Incentive:
The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and, at the discretion of the department, can provide flexible relocation assistance and/or cash incentives in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization. The Behavioral Wellness Department is currently accepting applications to fill one (1) Psychiatric Nurse Senior position with the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) in Santa Barbara. The Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) is a free standing Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital. PHF is a 16-bed, locked facility that provides 24-hour, 7 day a week inpatient care to individuals 18 and older requiring psychiatric hospitalization. Incumbents in this class work as a member of an interdisciplinary team providing assessment, prevention, intervention, treatment to people with mental illness, and/or co-occurring conditions. We are accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill full-time and part-time Psychiatric Nurse, Senior vacancies for the Behavioral Wellness Department. To be considered for a specific location, you must check the individual Location(s) on the application where you would be willing to accept an assignment. The selected candidate may need to travel between different sites within Santa Barbara County. The operational area may include Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Lompoc, Los Olivos, Santa Mara, and Santa Ynez. Benefits:
For more information on County of Santa Barbara benefits, click HERE or visit the Benefits Tab above. Additionally, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate. About the Department:
Founded in 1962, the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellness is to promote prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction by providing leadership and delivering services. The department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients annually through over 400 professional staff and contracted CBO providers. For more information, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness. The Position:
The selected candidate will assist the Psychiatric Nursing Supervisors in providing direction and training to staff, perform related duties, and may provide professional psychiatric nursing care to acutely and chronically ill patients. Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is a lead class and is distinguished from Psychiatric Nurse II in that the major functions involve assisting the Nursing Supervisors in planning and organizing training, evaluating/auditing clinic activities and documentation, and acting in the supervisor’s absence. Shifts may include irregular hours or an alternative work schedule (shifts may be a 4/10 work week or up to twelve hours, rotating days, nights, weekends, and holidays). Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment. The Ideal Candidate will have: Excellent oral and written communication. Experience with patients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. Experience working in forensics, detox, acute health and/or emergency settings. Experience supervising nursing staff. Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to work with hostile or challenging patients. Proficient in advanced computer skills. Ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English. Spanish preferred but not required. Experience working with electronic health records. Conducts new employee training and orientations to department policies, procedures, and mental health laws; analyzes training needs and completes daily checklists for training activities. Evaluates staff assignments and staff-patient interactions to reduce stress; coaches staff; develops improved charting methods; arranges continuing education for nursing staff. Makes recommendations regarding changes to nursing services and PHF activities; assists in developing policies and procedures. Leads nursing education groups to assist patients in understanding emotional and physical problems. Participates in departmental and team meetings to discuss patient care and program policies. Acts as a lead RN on assignments; plans, assigns, and reviews the work of other licensed nursing staff and recovery assistants. Observes patients daily to identify status and patterns; facilitates development and implementation of individualized treatment plans; provides crisis intervention as needed. Obtains medical, psychiatric, social histories of new admissions; takes vital signs; obtains lab specimens; assists physicians; schedules tests; maintains charts; monitors supplies; administers psychotropic medications and educates patients on purpose, dosage, and side effects. Qualifications:
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below Possession of a valid Registered Nurse license issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing;
AND Two (2) years of nursing experience in an acute care psychiatric or outpatient community mental health facility OR A combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing; methods and procedures in psychiatric nursing; psychotropic drugs and narcotics; patient safety and facility security; theories and techniques of psychotherapy; symptoms of emotionally disturbed patients; mental health resources; nursing practices; health education and counseling; and related medical knowledge. Ability to plan, organize, evaluate work of staff; identify operational problems; develop and conduct staff training; explain mental health laws; observe and assess patient behavior; maintain medical records; communicate with diverse groups; speak before groups; exercise judgment in emergencies; establish working relationships; comply with policies; work independently. Working Conditions:
Incumbents work in a locked facility with patients who can be a danger to themselves and others; shifts include holidays, evenings, and overnight. The PHF is a 24/7 inpatient unit requiring shift work including holidays and weekends. Work in a locked facility with potentially dangerous patients. The PHF serves patients with behavioral and psychiatric treatment needs. Fingerprinting may be required for some positions. Application & Selection Process: Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those meeting employment standards. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: candidates’ responses will be evaluated and scored; final score and rank determined by responses. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven qualified candidates. Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on the employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on Civil Service Rule VI. Names remain on the list for a minimum of three months. At establishment, all candidates will receive written notice of their score, rank, and list duration. Reasonable Accommodations:
The County of Santa Barbara provides reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals needing accommodations should contact the recruiter listed. Verification from a professional source is required. Conditional Job Offer: Live Scan and Background Check required after a conditional offer, including conviction history and references. A post-offer medical evaluation may be conducted. Appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period. Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step. Check spam filters to ensure receipt of deadlines. Statement of Commitment:
The County provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The County is committed to merit-based selection and a work environment that respects dignity and contributions of all employees. Disaster Service Worker:
All county employees are disaster service workers as required by law. Vaccination Verification and Testing:
This position may be subject to vaccine verification or testing orders. Please contact the hiring department for more information. Application Deadline:
Open Until Filled; first considerations July 11, 2025. Applications and job bulletins are available at the county jobs site. Contact: Leza Patatanian – LPatatanian@countyofsb.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Notice: This recruitment will now be open until filled with first considerations on July 11, 2025. Salary and Benefits
$115,885.12 - $139,694.88 Annually Bilingual allowance when applicable Special Duty Assignment allowance of 10% Night Shift and Weekend differential New Hire Incentive:
The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and, at the discretion of the department, can provide flexible relocation assistance and/or cash incentives in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization. The Behavioral Wellness Department is currently accepting applications to fill one (1) Psychiatric Nurse Senior position with the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) in Santa Barbara. The Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) is a free standing Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital. PHF is a 16-bed, locked facility that provides 24-hour, 7 day a week inpatient care to individuals 18 and older requiring psychiatric hospitalization. Incumbents in this class work as a member of an interdisciplinary team providing assessment, prevention, intervention, treatment to people with mental illness, and/or co-occurring conditions. We are accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill full-time and part-time Psychiatric Nurse, Senior vacancies for the Behavioral Wellness Department. To be considered for a specific location, you must check the individual Location(s) on the application where you would be willing to accept an assignment. The selected candidate may need to travel between different sites within Santa Barbara County. The operational area may include Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Lompoc, Los Olivos, Santa Mara, and Santa Ynez. Benefits:
For more information on County of Santa Barbara benefits, click HERE or visit the Benefits Tab above. Additionally, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate. About the Department:
Founded in 1962, the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellness is to promote prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction by providing leadership and delivering services. The department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients annually through over 400 professional staff and contracted CBO providers. For more information, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness. The Position:
The selected candidate will assist the Psychiatric Nursing Supervisors in providing direction and training to staff, perform related duties, and may provide professional psychiatric nursing care to acutely and chronically ill patients. Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is a lead class and is distinguished from Psychiatric Nurse II in that the major functions involve assisting the Nursing Supervisors in planning and organizing training, evaluating/auditing clinic activities and documentation, and acting in the supervisor’s absence. Shifts may include irregular hours or an alternative work schedule (shifts may be a 4/10 work week or up to twelve hours, rotating days, nights, weekends, and holidays). Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required at the time of appointment. The Ideal Candidate will have: Excellent oral and written communication. Experience with patients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. Experience working in forensics, detox, acute health and/or emergency settings. Experience supervising nursing staff. Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to work with hostile or challenging patients. Proficient in advanced computer skills. Ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English. Spanish preferred but not required. Experience working with electronic health records. Conducts new employee training and orientations to department policies, procedures, and mental health laws; analyzes training needs and completes daily checklists for training activities. Evaluates staff assignments and staff-patient interactions to reduce stress; coaches staff; develops improved charting methods; arranges continuing education for nursing staff. Makes recommendations regarding changes to nursing services and PHF activities; assists in developing policies and procedures. Leads nursing education groups to assist patients in understanding emotional and physical problems. Participates in departmental and team meetings to discuss patient care and program policies. Acts as a lead RN on assignments; plans, assigns, and reviews the work of other licensed nursing staff and recovery assistants. Observes patients daily to identify status and patterns; facilitates development and implementation of individualized treatment plans; provides crisis intervention as needed. Obtains medical, psychiatric, social histories of new admissions; takes vital signs; obtains lab specimens; assists physicians; schedules tests; maintains charts; monitors supplies; administers psychotropic medications and educates patients on purpose, dosage, and side effects. Qualifications:
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications) listed below Possession of a valid Registered Nurse license issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing;
AND Two (2) years of nursing experience in an acute care psychiatric or outpatient community mental health facility OR A combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing; methods and procedures in psychiatric nursing; psychotropic drugs and narcotics; patient safety and facility security; theories and techniques of psychotherapy; symptoms of emotionally disturbed patients; mental health resources; nursing practices; health education and counseling; and related medical knowledge. Ability to plan, organize, evaluate work of staff; identify operational problems; develop and conduct staff training; explain mental health laws; observe and assess patient behavior; maintain medical records; communicate with diverse groups; speak before groups; exercise judgment in emergencies; establish working relationships; comply with policies; work independently. Working Conditions:
Incumbents work in a locked facility with patients who can be a danger to themselves and others; shifts include holidays, evenings, and overnight. The PHF is a 24/7 inpatient unit requiring shift work including holidays and weekends. Work in a locked facility with potentially dangerous patients. The PHF serves patients with behavioral and psychiatric treatment needs. Fingerprinting may be required for some positions. Application & Selection Process: Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those meeting employment standards. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: candidates’ responses will be evaluated and scored; final score and rank determined by responses. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven qualified candidates. Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on the employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on Civil Service Rule VI. Names remain on the list for a minimum of three months. At establishment, all candidates will receive written notice of their score, rank, and list duration. Reasonable Accommodations:
The County of Santa Barbara provides reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals needing accommodations should contact the recruiter listed. Verification from a professional source is required. Conditional Job Offer: Live Scan and Background Check required after a conditional offer, including conviction history and references. A post-offer medical evaluation may be conducted. Appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period. Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step. Check spam filters to ensure receipt of deadlines. Statement of Commitment:
The County provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The County is committed to merit-based selection and a work environment that respects dignity and contributions of all employees. Disaster Service Worker:
All county employees are disaster service workers as required by law. Vaccination Verification and Testing:
This position may be subject to vaccine verification or testing orders. Please contact the hiring department for more information. Application Deadline:
Open Until Filled; first considerations July 11, 2025. Applications and job bulletins are available at the county jobs site. Contact: Leza Patatanian – LPatatanian@countyofsb.org
#J-18808-Ljbffr