Behavioral Health Nurse I/II/III
Bakersfield, California
RN · Psychiatric · Mental Health
Posted Jun 24
- Unit
- Psych
What the listing says
Role
- Weekends
- Every weekend
- Term
- Permanent
- Setting
- Correctional
- Accepts
- RN
Ratio not posted. Ask in the interview.
Pay
- Against the board
- $7/hr above the median
The median for Psychiatric in California is $52/hr, across 11 postings.
About this role
Position Information Salary Information: Level I: $8,017.12 - $9,581.20, paid monthly Level II: $8,858.07 - $10,586.20, paid monthly Level III: $10,287.75 - $12,294.82, paid monthly EXAMINATION SCHEDULE Examinations: Appraisal (Weight 100%): Will be conducted for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the position. Appraisal can be based on any combination of the following: Investigation, oral exam and/or rating of the application. Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.
Read the full posting
Minimum Qualifications/Employment Standards: Level I: Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of California. Level II: Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the State of California AND two years full-time nursing experience in a psychiatric setting or a mental health program. OR Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the State of California AND Possession of a valid American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification in psychiatric or mental health nursing.
Level III: Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the State of California AND three years full-time nursing experience in a psychiatric setting or mental health program. OR Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the State of California AND two years full-time nursing experience in a psychiatric setting or mental health program, AND possession of a valid American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification on Psychiatric or Mental Health Nursing. Additional Requirements levels I/II/III: Failure to maintain a current and valid license may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license. Dependent upon assignment, applicants may be required to pass an extensive background investigation and be fingerprinted. Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
This position works within the Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Department. Incumbents may be required to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends. A background check may be conducted for this classification.
A background investigation is required of candidates who wish to be considered for correctional medicine assignments. Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense. Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer.
Sourced from a public job board.
Requirements
- Valid California RN license
- Valid California Class C driver's license
- Valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of California
- Level II: 2 years full-time nursing experience in psychiatric setting or mental health program OR ANCC certification in psychiatric or mental health nursing
- Level III: 3 years full-time nursing experience in psychiatric setting or mental health program OR 2 years full-time nursing experience in psychiatric setting plus ANCC certification in Psychiatric or Mental Health Nursing
- Valid California Class C driver's license
- Background check
- Drug screening
- May require extensive background investigation and fingerprinting
Benefits
- Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)
- 401(a)
- Paid holidays
- Disability insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Employee assistance program
Place
- City
- Bakersfield, California
- Median rent
- $1,472/mo
- Local household income
- $80,540/yr
- Metro price level
- 1% above the national average
rent and tenant-paid utilities
all local households, not nurse pay
Bakersfield area index 100.9, where 100 is the national average.
Bakersfield sits in California's Central Valley, offering a down-to-earth rhythm distinct from coastal-city bustle. Out-of-state RNs find broad healthcare demand, quick highway access throughout Kern County, and a music and agriculture heritage. Proximity to the Sierra Nevada provides weekend escapes to mountains and national parks.
Cost figures from U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How this role fits you
Add your preferences
Choose your specialty, travel preference, and license stage to see how this role fits.
The work you want
Where you'd go
Where you are
About the employer
County of Kern is a government employer located in Bakersfield, California (93301) that hires Registered Nurses for positions in psychiatric and mental health settings. The employer offers a tiered nursing position structure with three levels (I, II, III), each with…
On your path
Psychiatric is open from year one. Behavioral health spans inpatient, emergency, and community settings.
Worth asking
The posting doesn’t answer these. Good ones to ask a recruiter or in the interview.
- Can you walk me through base pay range and differentials?
- What should I expect for shifts, weekly hours, holiday, call, and rotation?
- What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
- How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
