LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE/LICENSED PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN I/II MCR

Momentum for Health • San Jose, CA

21h • Onsite

About The Position

This position involves providing medical treatment, crisis intervention, medication support, and rehabilitation services within an inpatient/outpatient milieu setting for individuals with mental illness. The role requires serving as a member of the treatment team, evaluating clients, assisting in various therapy techniques, and conducting assessments for psychiatric detentions or hospitalizations. The position also entails participating in crisis intervention, administering medications, coordinating medical care, providing crisis consultation, completing clinical records, and potentially providing transportation. Other duties include ensuring facility cleanliness, monitoring supplies, attending meetings, and participating in resource management.

Requirements

• Completion of an accredited Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Psychiatric Technician program and at least one year of full-time paid human services experience.
• One year of experience in a mental health setting when in Social Rehabilitation Certified Facilities.
• Experience in implementing medication support systems.
• Current registration with the State of California as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician or Licensed Vocational Nurse or a temporary certificate issued to practice by the Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technician Examiners of the State of California.
• Current First Aid Certification or successful completion of First Aid Certification within 30 days of hire.
• Certification in writing 5150 holds or obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Meet government and/or regulatory standards for continuing education credits and recertification, including a minimum of 20 hours of directly related professional training, if assigned to a residential facility.
• Effective utilization of computer technology for communication, information tracking, and accessing of online resources; proven proficiency in typing/keyboarding—minimum 40 net wpm—and a basic proficiency level in Microsoft Office applications and Windows-based databases.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a small team environment; be resourceful, initiate own work, and follow through.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and communicate effectively with others in both verbal and written English; carry out written and verbal instructions in English.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor and support developmental growth and the recovery process.
• Demonstrated ability to implement, monitor and support treatment processes; develop physical health portions of individual treatment plans.
• Demonstrated ability to assess general health conditions, reactions to medications or other treatment, and the need for medical intervention.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain clear, accurate, and complete medical charts and client records and prepare reports.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and demands; effectively manage time and meet required timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to employ tact and diplomacy, exercise good judgment, and act calmly in emergency situations; make appropriate interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to work from a strengths-based, harm-reduction, social rehabilitation model.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with persons of different value systems, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities and disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals identified as those with serious mental illness who meet the following criteria: histories of hospitalization, institutionalization, including with the criminal justice system, substance abuse, low engagement in medication treatment, and difficulty in participating in structured activities and living independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work with populations identified as high risk and/or considered underrepresented in the County Mental Health system with multiple barriers.
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit exemplary customer service, compassion, and care in the execution of all duties and interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may also have histories of assaultive behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have resided in long term care facilities for extended periods.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have patterns of service that relied almost exclusively on emergency and institutional care.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have cognitive difficulties and medical co-morbidities and are considered medically fragile and may also be developmentally disabled.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have long-term patterns of homelessness and criminal justice involvement.
• Knowledge of practical nursing theory and best practices in psychiatric nursing procedures in clinics, residential settings, and/or hospitals.
• Knowledge of clinical techniques for assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of people with mental illness; problem resolution and conflict resolution techniques.
• Knowledge of community resources, including those required to meet the non-mental health needs of the target population.
• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Momentum practices.
• A valid California Driver License, with access to a reliable vehicle/for driving a company vehicle, current proof of auto liability insurance, and a clean DMV record.
• Hearing and talking on telephone and in person; standing, walking, sitting, pinching and finger flexion are required constantly (over 2/3 of the workday).
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, and kneeling are required occasionally (under 1/3 of the workday).
• Must be physically able to assist clients and/or staff in the evacuation of program facilities in emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working with the target population.
• Familiarity with UNIX-based databases.
• Proficiency in a second language.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

Responsibilities

• Provide medical treatment, crisis intervention, medication support and rehabilitation services, within scope of practice, in an inpatient/outpatient milieu setting for individuals with mental illness.
• Serve as a member of the treatment team.
• Provide treatment services, training, and support to clients, both individually and within groups, to help improve skills related to physical and mental health care needs.
• Evaluate clients for symptoms of illness, responses to treatment, general behaviors and general physical condition; observe condition of clients and report unusual conditions; initiate therapeutic interventions.
• Assist in providing a variety of therapy techniques, such as primary process and life skills groups.
• Interview and assess patients and other appropriate persons to determine if patient is in need of voluntary or involuntary psychiatric detentions (5150 holds) or hospitalization; follow up on high risk cases; identify appropriate treatment services.
• Participate in crisis intervention; in the case of client’s being a danger to self or others, determine the extent of the threat; de-escalate that threat.
• Note physician orders and follow through, as needed.
• Implement client medication support systems, including maintenance of medicine supply and upkeep of medical equipment, and ensure compliance with applicable health and safety or other regulatory requirements.
• Administer subcutaneous and intra-muscular medications under the direction of a physician.
• Assist clients in seeking and/or receiving medical care, such as coordinating and scheduling client visits with physicians.
• Provide crisis consultation to families and public and law enforcement agencies; maintain effective relations with hospitals, outside case managers, and other community agencies.
• Complete clinical records and other required documentation, in accordance with Agency, payor and regulatory requirements, utilizing paper or computer technology.
• Provide transportation in personal or Agency vehicle, including but not limited to the transportation of clients and/or program supplies for Agency business.
• Administer First Aid in emergency situations.
• Ensure program facilities are clean and well kept, encouraging clients and/or staff in necessary tasks.
• Implement systems to monitor First Aid supplies and disaster plans.
• Attend and participate in staff, program, Agency and community meetings and training, as required.
• Participate in management of team/program discretionary resources available to meet client needs.

Benefits

• Defined contribution amount of up to $15,433.08 per year (prorated for part-time employees working less than 40 hours per week) to purchase benefits of choice on a cafeteria plan basis.
• Retirement plan with a generous employer match starting at 4% after one year of employment.
• Vacation time accruing up to 25 days per year.
• 6 days of sick time per year.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Medical benefits – Kaiser (ranging from $0 Deductible Plan with $15 Copay to $3400 Deductible Plan with Health Savings Account).
• Sutter Health plans (from $0 Deductible Plan to $2,500 Deductible Plan).
• Dental benefits – Guardian: 1 dental HMO and 2 PPOs.
• Vision benefits – 2 options from Guardian VSP: a standard vision plan and an enhanced vision plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees