Behavioral Health LVN / LPN
Vallejo, California
Adventist Health Vallejo

Behavioral Health Nurse (LVN / LPN) - Travel/Contract

Location: Vallejo, California
Shift: Night Shift (11:00 PM – 7:30 AM), 5 shifts per week (5x8 hours), typically every other weekend
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

• Provide direct and indirect nursing care to psychiatric patients under RN supervision.
• Deliver age-appropriate psychiatric care using therapeutic communication and interventions.
• Assist with therapeutic and recreational activities as needed.
• Collect and document patient data, monitor symptoms, behavior, vital signs, and report changes.
• Participate in admissions, discharges, intake interviews, and patient orientation.
• Administer medications per physician orders and obtain medication consent forms.
• Use de-escalation techniques, seclusion, and restraint interventions when necessary.
• Collaborate with patients, families, and healthcare team to support patient care and safety.

Required Qualifications

• Valid Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license in California.
• Minimum of 1 year of LPN/LVN experience, including experience within the last year.
• Behavioral Health experience.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification.
• Completion of high school diploma or equivalent qualification.

Additional Requirements

• Must not be a Mental Health Technician.
• No on-call duties.
• Current picture identification (Driver’s License or State ID) required.
• Background check covering the last 7 years, including social security trace, county/state/federal court jurisdictions, and other regulatory checks, required within 30 days of start.
• Drug testing within 30 days before start, including multiple substance panels.
• Physical exam within 90 days of start.
• Immunizations and health screenings required:

  • COVID-19 vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption.
  • Flu vaccine or facility-specific declination/exemption during flu season.
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap within 10 years or positive titer (declinations accepted).
  • Negative TB test (QGold/TSpot or 2 PPDs) within 30 days of start, updated annually.
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Hepatitis B immunization or declination with appropriate documentation.
• Annual competency exams and skills checklist required, including medication/pharmacology competency exam through Relias.
• Color blindness testing required for all candidates.
• References: Two clinical references verified within one year of start.
• Complete employment application/resume with 7-year work history including gaps.

Essential Functions

• Use therapeutic communication and nursing interventions to meet psychiatric patient needs.
• Monitor and document patient condition, symptoms, and behavioral changes.
• Implement and evaluate nursing care plans and interventions.
• Ensure patient safety through routine rounding and environmental monitoring.
• Educate patients and families on safety, hygiene, and problem-solving skills.
• Communicate effectively with healthcare team regarding patient status and care.

Organizational Requirements

• Compliance with all required vaccinations as a condition of employment; medical and religious exemptions may apply.
• Must complete facility-specific forms including confidentiality agreement, waiver of benefits, and intellectual property rights assignment prior to start.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a 61-bed short-term psychiatric care facility serving children, adolescents, and adults, with partial hospitalization programs for adults. The location provides access to diverse cultural and recreational activities in the San Francisco Bay Area.