Location & Practice Overview

This Registered Nurse I role is based within the nursing department of a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization serving Los Angeles County. Care is delivered in a specialty treatment environment focused on integrated substance use and mental health services.

Practice Type Nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization
Department Nursing
Care Setting On-site specialty treatment facilities
Service Focus Substance use and mental health treatment continuum
Geographic Context Los Angeles County facilities

Responsibilities

  • Complete pre-admission triage and determine appropriateness of admission.
  • Administer medications using electronic medication systems and document according to policy.
  • Perform basic wound assessment and provide wound care as ordered by a provider.
  • Document nursing goals, interventions, and clinical outcomes in electronic and manual records; input notes and transcribe provider orders.
  • Respond to medical emergencies and use equipment such as glucometer, defibrillator, EKG machine, oxygen, and restraints/seclusion as needed.
  • Identify and report medical issues or possible infections, initiate standard precautions when indicated, and provide report to the team on patient care needs.

The nurse functions as an active member of the treatment care planning team and collaborates with the RN Charge Nurse to support patient outcomes while attending required trainings.

Qualifications & Requirements

This RN I level is suited for newly graduated or early-career nurses with limited or no prior behavioral health experience and offers a pathway for advancement to RN II.

Education
Graduate of an accredited RN School of Nursing
License
Active California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) RN license
Certification
Active CPR certification
Preferred Experience
Two years recent acute care experience; behavioral or substance use setting preferred
Skills
Computer proficiency for electronic medication and medical record systems; strong written and verbal communication

Compensation & Benefits

Pay is structured on an hourly basis consistent with comparable Registered Nurse postings at the organization. A full benefits package is offered.

  • Compensation: $48–$59 per hour
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Continuing education opportunities

Schedule & Work Environment

Shift Night shift
Hours 7:30 PM – 8:00 AM
Work Mode On-site
Environment Behavioral healthcare treatment setting

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

Nurses care for a diverse patient population that includes adolescents and geriatric individuals receiving treatment for mental health and substance use disorders within a specialty behavioral healthcare environment.

Age Groups Adolescents and geriatric patients
Primary Conditions Mental health and substance use disorders
Clinical Context Specialty behavioral healthcare treatment
Care Needs Patients requiring medication administration, health maintenance, and monitoring during treatment

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical core of this role centers on direct nursing care within a behavioral health and substance use treatment program, combining medication management, health maintenance, and supportive interventions for patients with co-occurring needs.

Core Nursing Care Medication administration and health maintenance for patients with psychiatric and substance use diagnoses
Assessment Focus Nursing assessments and interventions tied to medication and psychiatric diagnoses
Supportive Services Wound care, waived testing (urine pregnancy, blood glucose, UA drug screen, breath alcohol, fentanyl screen), and infection precautions
Care Continuum Pre-admission triage through ongoing monitoring and emergency response within the treatment setting

Role Highlights

This position is structured as an entry-level RN I role with a defined night-shift schedule in a specialized behavioral health treatment environment and a clear advancement path.

  • Designated RN I level for newly graduated or early-career nurses with minimal behavioral health experience
  • Clear pathway for advancement to RN II
  • Night-shift structure (7:30 PM–8:00 AM) in a specialty substance use and mental health treatment setting
  • Direct collaboration with RN Charge Nurse and active participation on the treatment care planning team

About Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc.

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. is a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization founded in 1972 that delivers integrated substance use, mental health, and primary medical care services across multiple sites in Los Angeles County. Facilities are licensed and certified by the State of California and the County of Los Angeles and accredited by The Joint Commission.

Organization Type Nonprofit corporation
Founded 1972
Primary Services Substance use and mental health treatment, psychiatric hospital, residential and outpatient programs, family medical clinics
Geographic Footprint Multiple locations across Los Angeles County, including Tarzana, Reseda, Northridge, Long Beach, Lancaster, Palmdale, and Woodland Hills
Accreditation The Joint Commission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is prior behavioral health experience required for the RN I level?
No. The RN I designation specifically includes newly graduated nurses and those with minimal to no experience in behavioral health-related nursing care.
What equipment will I be expected to use?
Nurses must be competent with equipment including glucometer, defibrillator, EKG machine, intermittent suction, bag/mask, oxygen, and restraints/seclusions.
Does the role include waived laboratory testing?
Yes. The nurse administers waived tests such as urine pregnancy test, blood glucose test, UA drug screen, breath alcohol tester, and fentanyl urine screen, and maintains annual waived testing requirements.
How does documentation work in this setting?
Documentation occurs in both electronic and manual patient records. Nurses must be able to input notes and take and transcribe provider orders in the electronic medical record or the patient’s record.
Is there an opportunity for advancement?
Yes. The RN I level includes the opportunity for advancement to RN II.
Who does the nurse report to?
The position reports to the Director of Nursing and works collaboratively with the RN Charge Nurse.

Registered Nurse I in Los Angeles, CA

This Registered Nurse I position at Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. in Los Angeles supports direct patient care within a nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization specializing in substance use and mental health treatment. The role is structured as an entry-level nursing opportunity suitable for newly graduated or early-career RNs and follows a consistent night shift from 7:30 PM to 8:00 AM. Clinical work centers on medication administration, nursing assessments related to psychiatric diagnoses, health maintenance, wound care, waived testing, and emergency response for a diverse population that includes adolescents and geriatric patients. Candidates must hold an active California RN license and CPR certification; two years of recent acute care experience is preferred but not required. Compensation falls in the $48–$59 per hour range, accompanied by medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, 401(k), and continuing education support. The nurse documents in both electronic and paper records, collaborates with the Charge Nurse and treatment team, and has a defined pathway to advance to the RN II level. The employer has provided integrated behavioral health services across Los Angeles County since 1972 and maintains Joint Commission accreditation.

Submit Application

Apply for This Position Submit your application through MedCareerHub USA