Position Title: Behavioral Health Nurse – Contract Position, Ventura, Ca
Department: Clinical Services / Recuperative Care
Reports To: Director of Nursing / Nursing Manager
Work Schedule: Contract Base Position
Do YOU meet the REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for this position? If so, this is the PERFECT POSITION for you! APPLY NOW!
Position Summary:
The Behavioral Health Nurse is responsible for supporting the mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs of guests within NHF recuperative care and supportive housing programs. This role provides trauma-informed nursing care, behavioral health support, crisis intervention, medication monitoring, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to promote guest stability, wellness, and successful program engagement.
The Behavioral Health Nurse plays a critical role in supporting guests experiencing mental health conditions, substance use disorders, behavioral challenges, and co-occurring medical conditions while ensuring a safe and therapeutic environment for guests and staff.
Work Environment:
This role operates within recuperative care and supportive service environments serving vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, and complex medical and psychosocial needs.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Behavioral Health Support
- Conduct behavioral health nursing assessments and ongoing monitoring of guests.
- Observe, document, and report changes in mental status, mood, behaviors, or emotional well-being.
- Support guests experiencing anxiety, depression, psychosis, trauma responses, substance use challenges, or behavioral crises.
- Utilize trauma-informed and de-escalation techniques during guest interactions.
- Assist with crisis intervention and behavioral stabilization efforts.
Medication Management
- Support in monitoring prescribed medications in accordance with physician orders and NHF protocols.
- Monitor guests for medication compliance, side effects, adverse reactions, and behavioral responses.
- Coordinate medication refills and behavioral health follow-up appointments.
Collaboration & Care Coordination
- Work closely with Social Services, Case Managers, Program Managers, and external behavioral health providers.
- Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences and discharge planning.
- Communicate behavioral health concerns and recommendations to leadership and treatment teams.
Safety & Compliance
- Maintain accurate and timely nursing documentation.
- Ensure compliance with HIPAA, infection control, and NHF policies and procedures.
- Support a safe environment by identifying behavioral risks and escalating concerns appropriately.
- Participate in incident reporting and follow-up investigations as needed.
Training & Support
- Provide behavioral health education and support to staff when appropriate.
- Assist with staff development related to de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and behavioral health awareness.
- Model professionalism, compassion, and appropriate guest boundaries at all times.
NHF Core Expectations:
Employees are expected to:
- Maintain professional boundaries with guests and staff.
- Support NHF’s mission, values, and culture.
- Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and compassion.
- Adhere to all NHF policies, safety standards, and confidentiality requirements.
National Health Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.