The RN Program Supervisor is a working nurse leader responsible for the daily clinical, administrative, and quality operations of the Crisis Stabilization Unit, with primary accountability for supervising and supporting the unit’s nursing team. The Supervisor ensures safe, timely, person-centered crisis care for adults experiencing acute behavioral health crises, many of whom also face physical health conditions, substance use, and homelessness or housing insecurity. The Supervisor manages nursing staffing and performance, upholds clinical and regulatory standards, ensures compliance with all funding and licensing requirements, and promotes strength-based, culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
The Supervisor works as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, clinicians, and residential counselors. The team approach is essential, and input from all team members informs client care and linkage to ongoing community-based services and supports.
This position requires paid work experience in psychiatric, mental health or behavioral health setting. Local travel is required and a car, driver's license and clean driving record.
FT or PT flexible hours.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Nursing Leadership and Staff Supervision
- Supervises, schedules, and directs RNs, LVNs, and Psychiatric Technicians, including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance evaluation, and corrective action.
- Ensures 24/7 nursing coverage appropriate to unit census and acuity; manages shift assignments, time and attendance, and coverage gaps.
- Provides clinical supervision, consultation, and real-time support to nursing staff on assessment, medication management, de-escalation, and complex presentations.
- Conducts competency assessments and verifies current licensure, certifications, and required trainings for all nursing staff.
- Fosters a respectful, resilient, and collaborative team culture; manages conflict and supports staff wellness and retention.
Clinical Operations and Client Care
- Provides direct patient care as needed, including nursing assessments, vital signs and physical health monitoring, medication administration and monitoring, and ongoing direction of care to the team.
- Ensures timely intake, assessment, stabilization, and discharge or transfer of clients, including appropriate linkage to community supports, higher levels of care, and follow-up services.
- Manages the flow of referrals, intakes, and discharges, and ensures the unit is accessible and welcoming to all people served.
- Responds to and directs staff during program emergencies, medical and psychiatric crises, and critical incidents; completes and reviews incident reports and follow-up.
- Provides consultation on treatment issues and quality of care to the treatment team, and serves as liaison to hospitals, emergency departments, law enforcement, and other community partners to coordinate care.
- Implements the service delivery model in support of the BACS mission, vision, and values, including consumer-centered, needs-driven, strength-based, and culturally relevant services.
Medication Management and Safety
- Oversees medication storage, administration, and documentation; supervises monitoring of medication logs and controlled-substance counts for accuracy and conformity with policy.
- Ensures medication errors and adverse events are reported, reviewed, and addressed through corrective action and staff education.
- Maintains infection control, health and safety, and environmental safety standards on the unit.
Compliance, Documentation, and Quality Improvement
- Ensures services comply with all applicable funding streams, contracts, licensing standards, and regulations; supports grant and contract management, audits, site reviews, presentations, and reports
- Oversees charting and records maintenance, including documentation required for Utilization Review and Medi-Cal billing (including Medication Support Services), and ensures compliance with documentation standards for all funders.
- Oversees the nursing quality assurance program and ensures compliance with medical risk management and healthcare-related regulations and policies.
- Implements Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) standards, tracks key performance and outcome indicators, and works with staff to implement systems for ongoing improvement.
- Develops, reviews, and implements nursing policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure quality client care.
Training, Collaboration, and Representation
- Develops and delivers onboarding, in-service, and continuing education programs for nursing and unit staff, including mental health, medical, and physical health practices.
- Represents the program to funders, stakeholders, and community partners as appropriate; attends agency and behavioral health system meetings as requested.
- Communicates effectively and conscientiously, using strength-based language and philosophy in all aspects of supervision.
- Participates in and attends trainings for agency, professional, and personal development.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES:
- Strong clinical judgment and crisis assessment skills, with the ability to remain calm, decisive, and effective in high-acuity situations.
- Excellent oral and written communication; influencing and negotiating skills; professional and ethical conduct.
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills; resilience in the face of adversity.
- Customer service and strength-based, person-centered orientation; embraces diversity in all aspects.
- Ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams toward a common goal.
- Strategic thinking, external awareness, and motivation toward the mission and services of BACS.
- Commitment to continual learning and professional development for self and staff.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current, unrestricted California Registered Nurse (RN) license required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
- Minimum of four years of direct service experience as an RN, including experience in a psychiatric, crisis, or behavioral health setting.
- Minimum of two years of progressive administrative and leadership experience, including supervising staff; community-based organization or crisis program experience preferred.
- Demonstrated capacity to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience with electronic health records and electronic prescribing; working knowledge of Medi-Cal documentation and Utilization Review requirements preferred.
- Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; ability to type 45 WPM.
Licenses and Certifications
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
- Crisis prevention and de-escalation training (e.g., CPI or equivalent), or willingness to obtain within the first 90 days.
- Additional trainings (e.g., medication administration, suicide risk assessment, CPR/First Aid) as required by the program and licensing standards.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The position requires frequent sitting and occasional standing, walking, and driving, as well as the ability to respond quickly and move throughout the unit during emergencies. Frequent computer use is required. Lifting is required occasionally, of no more than 20 lbs. at a time. Dexterity is required for paper manipulation, typing, and medication preparation and administration. The position requires the ability to see, hear, and speak. Staff may be trained in and expected to participate in approved de-escalation and safety intervention techniques.
ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS:
The work is performed in a 24-hour crisis stabilization program environment and an office environment, and occasionally out in the community. The unit serves individuals in acute distress, and exposure to crisis situations, challenging behaviors, and infectious diseases is possible. The position may require evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts, on-call availability, and coverage during emergencies.
EQUIPMENT USED:
Computer, keyboard, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, calculator, electronic health record system, medication dispensing and storage systems, and standard nursing and medical equipment (e.g., blood pressure monitor, thermometer, pulse oximeter, glucometer).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position requires a valid California driver’s license, personal vehicle, and proof of personal vehicle insurance coverage. DMV printout required. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, health screening, and TB clearance, and any other pre-employment requirements for the program.
BENEFITS & COMPENSATION:
- Highly competitive compensation. $135,000 annually, exempt.
- 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage options for employees, plus a vision reimbursement program. Children’s healthcare coverage is available for as little as $25/month. Average employer-paid benefit value: approximately $913/month per enrolled individual. BACS contributions apply to company-sponsored plans only.
- 31 days off (PTO/Holiday), increasing with tenure.
- 403b with BACS matching contribution after one year of service
- Free iPhone with unlimited data for personal/professional use + laptop for easy mobility*.
- Most direct service positions
BACS Overview
Bay Area Community Services is a CARF accredited non-profit, community-based agency celebrating 65 years of serving Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Mateo and Solano Counties by providing mental health and social services. BACS’ mission is to uplift under-served individuals and their families by doing whatever it takes. We are proud to be one of the leading agencies producing real outcomes to tough social problems. BACS owes its reputation as an innovator to our innovative and entrepreneurial staff. We are seeking individuals who want to transform clinical practice to be client-centered and effective in the field and who want to lead empowered teams to meet goals.
How to apply:
Submit a resume with a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience.
BAY AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER