Peds Psych Registered Nurse

Santa Cruz, CA

📍 Location: Santa Cruz, CA

📅 Schedule: Full-Time | Non-Exempt

💼 Department: Behavioral Health/Residential

📈 Reports to: Mental Health Division Director

💰 Hourly Range: $70.00– $80.00

Up to $5K Relocation OR Hiring and Retention Bonus ($2,500)

✨ Make a Meaningful Impact

Aspiranet is seeking a compassionate and skilled Peds Psych Registered Nurse (RN) to support youth and adolescents receiving care in our residential and outpatient behavioral health programs. As a critical member of a multidisciplinary team, the RN provides direct nursing care, health education, crisis support, and medication management in a trauma-informed environment. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on youth facing emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric challenges while promoting wellness and resilience. You’ll work a consistent 4x10 schedule, helping young people experiencing severe mental health challenges get the care, safety, and stability they need.

This position supports a brand-new location as we continue expanding our impact across Santa Cruz County, bringing much-needed crisis services closer to the youth and families who need them most. If you’re passionate about helping youth navigate moments of crisis with dignity, empathy, and expert support, we invite you to join our mission of healing, resilience, and hope.

❤️ About Aspiranet

Aspiranet is a mission-driven social services agency with a proud legacy of supporting California communities since 1975. We are committed to ensuring that every child is loved, every family is supported, and every individual has the tools to succeed. Our services span the state and are delivered through six dedicated divisions: Foster Care and Adoption, providing support for children and families throughout the foster and adoption journey; Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), offering programs that guide young adults as they transition from foster care to independent living; Residential, delivering therapeutic care in structured, supportive environments to help youth thrive; Intensive Home-Based Services, focused on meeting individualized needs within the home, school, and community; Behavioral Health, delivering short-term, intensive mental health services for youth at risk; and Family and Community, emphasizing early intervention and family-strengthening supports. At Aspiranet, every role contributes to something greater—helping to create a future where opportunity, hope, and healing are within everyone’s reach.

📝️ Position Summary

Aspiranet is seeking a compassionate and skilled Peds Psych Registered Nurse (RN to support youth and adolescents in our residential and outpatient behavioral health programs. These youth often experience acute emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric challenges, and may be at risk of harming themselves or others. As a key member of a multidisciplinary team, the RN provides direct care, conducts health and risk assessments, administers medications, and responds to crisis situations in a trauma-informed, youth-centered environment. This role requires strong clinical judgment, a calm demeanor under pressure, and a deep commitment to the safety and well-being of vulnerable youth.

🔍 Key Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment, Risk Monitoring & Crisis Response

• Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments, including evaluation for self-harm, suicidal ideation, aggression, and other behavioral health risks.
• Monitor youth for changes in physical or mental health, and intervene early to prevent escalation of risk.
• Provide immediate care during medical or psychiatric emergencies, including administering emergency medications and supporting crisis protocols.
• Maintain constant awareness of youth presenting with high-risk behaviors and collaborate to implement individualized safety plans.

Integrated Care & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Work closely with therapists, psychiatrists, physicians, and program staff to coordinate individualized care plans for youth with complex needs.
• Support intake and discharge processes, ensuring accurate review of medical histories, immunizations, and risk factors.
• Participate in care team meetings to advocate for youth health needs and to communicate changes in condition or treatment response.
• Provide medical updates and clinical insights to caregivers, case managers, and external providers as appropriate.

Medication Administration & Health Education

• Administer prescribed medications safely and document accurately, following agency and licensing guidelines.
• Educate youth on medication compliance, potential side effects, and the importance of self-care.
• Ensure secure handling, storage, and tracking of medications in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Promote youth understanding of wellness, hygiene, nutrition, reproductive health, and other age-appropriate health topics.

Supportive Environment & Youth Empowerment

• Build positive, trust-based relationships with youth through trauma-informed engagement and consistent support.
• Encourage youth to develop self-advocacy and health awareness skills as part of their healing and recovery.
• Provide youth-centered, culturally sensitive care that honors their lived experience and mental health journey.
• Participate in ongoing professional development in areas such as trauma-informed care, youth resilience, and de-escalation strategies.

✅ Qualifications

• Current and valid Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of employment.
• Minimum of 2 years of nursing experience, preferably in pediatric, adolescent, behavioral health, or residential care settings.
• Experience working with youth and teens in mental health or developmental disability programs strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of psychiatric medications, adolescent development, and trauma-informed care principles.
• Ability to perform comprehensive health assessments and manage nursing interventions independently.
• Strong clinical judgment and decision-making skills in fast-paced or crisis situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with youth, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required; Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to professional and ethical standards.
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, including evenings, weekends, and on-call as needed.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation may be required for some outpatient or community-based roles.

💻 Work Environment & Schedule

This position is based in Santa Cruz, CA, with an expectation of on-site presence, including oversight of evening and weekend coverage schedules as needed.

❤️ Why Aspiranet?

• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits package, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Access to the free Aspiranet Employee Perks Program. Enjoy exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, wellness, pet care, gym memberships, theme parks, and more
• Flexible paid time off including 11 paid holidays, 10 vacation days, 10 sick leave days, two diversity days, and paid birthday time off.
• Access to our employee assistance program including 24/7 crisis line; up to 6 counseling sessions per issue.
• Training opportunities are available to support your ongoing development and career aspirations.
• Collaborate in a supportive, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture.
• Opportunity to lead meaningful initiatives that support employee wellbeing.

🏋️Physical Demands: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA’s established safety levels at all times.

⚖️ Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole.  Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.

📝  How to Apply

Join us in building brighter futures.

👉 Ready to Apply?

Join us in building brighter futures.

Apply today through our career portal:

✨ Click here to apply: www.aspiranet.org/careers

✨ Pro Tip: Once you’re in the portal, be sure to create an account to get started on your application! It’s quick, easy, and the first step to making a difference.