Psychiatric Nurse (Open & Promotional)

Description
Are you passionate about serving and making a difference in the community? Are you looking to join a progressive and committed healthcare department? Join Us!

Through growth and change, San Mateo Medical Center, a Division of San Mateo County Health, remains committed to providing quality medical care to meet the health needs of the community. Our commitment is to provide quality, patient-centered care with a compassionate touch.

San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is an integrated delivery system of healthcare focused on the needs of the underserved, within a county system of care. SMMC serves as a key provider within the Health Plan of San Mateo's (HPSM) public/private network. Our integrated delivery system includes a fully accredited acute care hospital--that includes ED, PES, OR, endoscopy, and short stay unit, 7-bed ICU, general medical/surgical unit (62-bed capacity), acute inpatient psychiatry (17-bed capacity), and on-campus skilled nursing unit (32 beds) and 11 clinics located across the County's diverse and dispersed population.

SMMC is always seeking ways to enhance the already impressive services offered. This dedication to excellence is reflected in the exceptional care we provide and the extraordinary professionals who provide it. Here, you will have the chance to develop your talents with a skilled team of people who actively support and encourage each other's success. If you are ready to open new doors for your career and are compelled to work in a safety net, public health environment, join us today!

SMMC is currently seeking skilled Psychiatric Nurses, with proven experience to work in our Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) and our Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit. Currently we have one part-time (0.5 FTE) vacancy for the evening shift (3:00 PM - 11:30 PM) in the Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit.

Under the direct supervision of the Charge Nurses, the successful hires will implement the nursing process. Psychiatric Nurses provide care to psychiatric/mental health patients and are fully competent to independently perform a full range of professional nursing duties and procedures that require the exercise of a high degree of clinical judgment. Incumbents also provide lead direction to other nursing and paraprofessional personnel.

Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) is a 24-hour unit staffed by registered nurses and has a psychiatrist on duty around the clock. The service evaluates patients who may need acute psychiatric services, and provides short-term treatment and referral as needed. Patients present with multiple problems ranging from crisis intervention needs and drug-related issues to psychiatric decompensation requiring hospital admission. Services are provided to any age group in need of immediate psychiatric care.

The Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit is a 17-bed locked unit specializing in treatment of seriously mentally ill patients. This setting offers many professional rewards for the novice through expert nurse seeking a stimulating and dynamic environment.

The ideal candidate has experience working with diverse, multicultural, underserved populations with a focus on mental health. Must be able to remain calm in crises and is skilled in de-escalating patients who are experiencing acute psychiatric illness. Ideal candidates must also be familiar with the wellness and recovery framework. Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is preferred, particularly if a new graduate. This position calls for a strong sense of purpose in providing care for patients with acute psychiatric diagnosis. Critical thinking skills, the ability to formulate an individual care plan of care and carry it out and evaluate the plan while collaborating with the team and including the patient as a partner in care is essential.

Note: The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, permanent, limited-term, extra-help, and/or temporary vacancies.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Complete patient assessments and triage, as well as record patient histories, symptoms and observations.
• Establish and implement nursing care plans for each patient through assessment, development, activation and evaluation.
• Participate in patient case conferences and rounds.
• Organize, assign and supervise duties and responsibilities of other staff members as a team leader.
• Orient and teach new staff members of the nursing team and students.
• Perform nursing care following prescribed rules, policies, protocol and procedures.
• Identify problems, assist in data gathering, propose solutions and participate in evaluation of quality assurance issues.
• Work with patients and their families to provide in-hospital and after-hospital follow-up through teaching and referral.
• Participate in educational programs specific to Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing to maintain level of expertise.
• Participate in non-clinical assignments, which may include maintaining records, preparing reports and/or serving on special committees.
• Operate a variety of medical machinery and equipment.
• Administer treatment and medications.
• Maintain knowledge of outpatient resources.
• Develop discharge plans for patients.
• Perform related duties as required by assigned work setting.
• Provide medication education to patients and their families.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Psychiatric Nurse:
Duties for nurses in this series may also include the following:

• Provide care to psychiatric/mental health patients, including suicidal, potentially violent, confused and dementia patients.
• Room patients, check vital signs, and give injections and Point of Care Testing.
• Provide intensive care and evaluation on an almost continuous basis.
• Perform mental status exam and implement plan of care based on assessment findings.
• Monitor patients in restraint and seclusion and maintain patient safety.
• Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
• Recognize symptoms of major psychiatric diagnosis.
• Work with patients and their families to explain post-treatment care needs and provide follow-up referrals to resources.
• Respond to patients in crisis situation with unpredictable violence and de-escalate situations using the least restrictive measures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession and maintenance of a California license as a Registered Nurse
• Possession and maintenance of BLS certification.
• Possession and maintenance of a Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certificate within three months of hire.

Knowledge of:

• Nurse Practice Act.
• Current nursing and related medical theory and skills necessary to administer nursing care within assigned clinical settings.
• Safety and infection control practices.
• Clinical systems, supplies and equipment.

Skill/Ability to:

• Nurse Practice Act.
• Perform nursing procedures required for assigned clinical setting.
• Comply with clinical procedures and policies.
• Maintain professional nurse-patient relationships.
• Communicate with and educate patients, families, and the public who come from a diverse background.
• Work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Follow safety practices.
• Assist in the instruction of other nursing and paraprofessional personnel.
• Bend, kneel and squat as needed.
• Occasionally use upper extremities to exert force to push and pull patients/objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more.
• Work in a busy environment.

Application/Examination
Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score

The examination will consist of an interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or a screening committee may select those applicants whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position based solely on the information provided in the application materials. Because of this screening process, all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination . All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Monday, May 4, 2026, at11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: May 7, 2026
Panel/Department Interviews: May 21 and/or May 20, 2026
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

HR Analyst: Carolyn Burns (042026) (Psychiatric Nurse - F037)

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• County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

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