Assistant Mental Health Counselor, Rn/Emergency Appointments Homelessness
About The Position
The Department of Mental Health is hiring Assistant Mental Health Counselors, RN, to provide mental health nursing services to individuals, families, and groups in a range of mental health care settings, in connection with the County’s emergency response to homelessness. Under the emergency order, qualified applicants may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Performance during the initial work period is assessed and weighed at 100%; candidates who pass may be considered for permanent appointment. The role involves assessing clients’ mental and physical health and functioning, coordinating care and recovery services, administering and monitoring psychotropic medication, and working with clients, families, community resources, and multidisciplinary teams. The position also participates in ongoing training and team meetings.
Requirements
- Meet one of the following education and experience options: graduate from an accredited Registered Nursing program and have five years of full-time post-licensure experience as a Registered Nurse in a psychiatric setting; or hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university with specialty coursework in psychiatric nursing.
- Hold an active California Registered Nurse license without limitations or restrictions.
- Hold a valid California Class C Driver License or be able to use an alternative method of transportation when needed for essential job functions.
- Applicants must meet the minimum requirements when filing; out-of-class experience is not accepted.
Responsibilities
- Conduct initial and ongoing assessments of clients’ presenting problems, including mental status, functioning, developmental status, social and employment skills, co-occurring substance use problems, and mental and physical health education needs.
- Develop a Client Care Coordination Plan with client participation, including measurable objectives addressing behavioral responses to mental illness.
- Provide targeted case management to coordinate comprehensive mental and physical health services and maintain continuity of care.
- Use interventions to teach symptom management and relapse prevention, encourage recreational activities, and develop independent living skills.
- Educate clients on integrating physical health care management into mental health care management.
- Administer psychotropic medication, monitor effectiveness and side effects, and provide medication education to clients and their families.
- Reassess clients’ mental and physical health status, nutritional status, and progress toward recovery; evaluate outcomes and modify care plans as needed.
- Identify community agencies and resources that support rehabilitation and recovery, and consult with medical facilities, courts, and government agencies to coordinate treatment options.
- Provide multidisciplinary teams with expertise on diagnoses affected by physical health problems and educate clients about those health problems.
- Assess suicidal or homicidal tendencies, risk of violence toward self or others, and grave disability; consult supervisors and/or multidisciplinary teams when considering involuntary treatment.
- Participate in team meetings to discuss caseloads, shift activities, and program policy and procedure changes.
- Participate in continuing education and training to maintain mental health nursing skills.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
