Mental Health Counselor, R.N./Emergency Appointments Homelessness

County of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health is recruiting experienced Mental Health Counselor, R.N. candidates to fill emergency vacancies related to the homelessness crisis. Under the emergency order, qualifying applicants may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with the opportunity for permanent County employment. Performance during the initial work period is assessed and constitutes 100% of the evaluation; candidates who pass may be considered for permanent appointment. This experienced-level role provides primary mental health nursing services to individuals, families, and groups in a range of mental health care settings. The position includes counseling and assessment, care coordination, psychotropic medication administration and education, crisis response, referral and coordination with community resources, and participation in multidisciplinary treatment and quality-of-care activities.

Requirements

Meet one of the following experience and education options: Option I: One year as an Assistant Mental Health Counselor, RN in the service of Los Angeles County; Option II: A bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university, completion of specialty coursework in psychiatric nursing, and two years of full-time post-baccalaureate experience as a licensed registered nurse in psychiatric nursing; or Option III: A master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing from an accredited college or university and one year of full-time post-graduate experience as a licensed registered nurse in psychiatric nursing.
Meet the applicable minimum requirements at the time of filing.
Hold an active California Board of Registered Nursing 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 to carry out job-related essential functions.
For degree credit, provide a legible copy of an official diploma, official transcript, or official letter from the accredited institution showing the degree has been conferred and the area of specialization, with the application or within seven calendar days after submission.
For foreign degrees, obtain an equivalency evaluation from an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by NACES or AICE.

Responsibilities

Provide individual counseling to an assigned caseload of patients in a regional Mental Health Clinic.
Conduct initial interviews and ongoing assessments of clients’ presenting problems, mental status, functioning, developmental status, social and employment skills, co-occurring substance use problems, and mental and physical health education needs.
Obtain clients’ social and medical histories and integrate assessments of physical health issues that affect mental illness.
Provide the multidisciplinary team with input about diagnoses as affected by clients’ physical health problems.
Develop and conduct Client Care Coordination Plans with clients and appropriate others, collaborating with the treatment team on counseling duration, priorities, methods, and whether individual or group counseling is appropriate.
Administer psychotropic medication, monitor its effectiveness and side effects, and provide medication education to clients and their families.
Reassess changes in clients’ mental and physical health, nutritional status, and progress toward recovery.
Plan and conduct conferences with family members, significant others, and caregivers to gain insight into clients’ mental illness and family interactions.
Evaluate client outcomes and consult periodically with psychiatrists about possible adjustments to Client Care Coordination Plans.
Facilitate individual and group therapy activities to support communication, insight into emotional problems, and development of coping strategies.
Identify community agencies and resources that support clients’ rehabilitation and recovery, and coordinate or link services with medical facilities, courts, and government agencies as needed.
Participate in team meetings about client needs and progress, shift activity, and compliance with program policies, documentation, and timely services or treatment.
Serve on a Psychiatric Mobile Response Team or similar crisis response team to evaluate people who may be dangerous to themselves or others, or gravely disabled due to mental illness.
Assess suicidal or homicidal tendencies, potential violence, and grave disability; independently determine the need for involuntary treatment and, when appropriate, sign an application for immediate 72-hour hospital detention or schedule an evaluation and treatment appointment at a mental health clinic.
As acting Officer of the Day, provide triage, information, and referrals, and assess incoming clients for assignment within the unit or department.
Conduct site reviews and investigate client complaints or grievances by reviewing clinical records for quality of care, medication appropriateness, and the overall treatment plan; write corrective action plans and conduct follow-up visits as needed.