We have some exciting news! The department of Behavioral Health is now offering a $10,000 hiring bonus! CLICK HERE for more information.FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION
Under general direction, coordinates, leads, and participates in the work of staff providing professional nursing and psychiatric care to individuals striving to overcome behavioral health challenges; collaborates with other medical staff and interdisciplinary health treatment teams to evaluate and prepare treatment plans; provides direction and oversight of nursing activities as assigned. Non-traditional working hours/shifts (weekends, nights and holidays) may be required depending on specific assignment and performs related work as assigned.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey and lead-level classification in the Behavioral Health Emergency and Forensic Psychiatric Nurse series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform assigned duties and ensure efficient and effective servicing function of the assigned program area. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines and methods to deliver services. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. This class is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Emergency and Forensic Psychiatric Nurse Supervisor in that the latter is the full supervisory classification with responsibilities for the supervision and evaluation of assigned staff.
 EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Perform Behavioral Health Emergency and Forensic Senior Psychiatric Nurse duties in a locked facility with constant and direct patient interaction.
• Daily and ongoing exposure to volatile, acting out, verbally aggressive and physically violent clients, including clients who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or with a history of criminal violence.
• May evaluate patients in a variety of in-and out-patient settings, such as Juvenile Hall, County Jail, County Behavioral Health offices, hospital emergency, Crisis Response, and other settings; obtains a patient history and conducts behavioral health status exam.
• Primarily responds to community-based environments (upon referral and acute need), with less access to other in-person behavioral health resources, including but not limited to: homeless encampments, homeless shelters, personal homes, and sober living environments.
• Required to physically intervene and/or restrain clients.
• Required to assist with client’s personal care needs (toileting, showering etc.).
• Required to give emergency medications (against client’s will, resisting person).
• Provide regular/ongoing redirection of inappropriate behaviors.
• Ongoing management of minor/chronic medical needs (wound care, diabetes management etc.).
• Transport and monitor involuntary clients within community.
• Management of medication room (ordering, stocking, destruction, etc.).
• Laboratory work (blood draws, UA’s, PPD etc.).
• Performs complex forensic, mental health, or substance use related evaluations.
• Attends court proceedings and is expected to interact with Judges, District Attorneys, Probation, Public Defenders, County Counsel, and other agency officials.
• Advises Court personnel of department regulations and guidelines for the performance of emergency and forensic evaluations.
• Attends emergency and forensic stakeholder meetings as required.
• Respond as needed to cover shifts to meet mandatory staffing requirements (weekends, holidays and afterhours included).
• Facilitate and participate in Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS) related certification hearings, LPS conservatorship hearings, Mental Health Diversion proceedings, and other court proceedings as required.
• Offer/provide rehabilitative and recreational opportunities and physical activity to patients.
• Provides lead direction, training, and work review to staff providing direct medical and psychiatric nursing services to behavioral health patients; organizes and assigns work, sets priorities and follows up to ensure coordination and timely completion of assigned work; provides input into employee selection and other personnel decisions.
• Reviews psychiatric nursing work practices, procedures, and service delivery methods for compliance and recommends improvements.
• Assesses patients upon admission to unit and makes presentation of physical and mental condition findings to attending physicians.
• Provides professional nursing care to patients; observes and charts vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.
• Provides equipment and supplies required for patient examination or treatment; observes and records patient reactions and behaviors and explains procedures.
• Administers oral and hypodermic medications and observes and records their effects; obtains and records all orders from physician to facilitate patient treatment.
• Participates in the preparation of the nursing component of patient treatment plans, including physical assessments on new patients; as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, oversees and participates in evaluation and therapeutic activities.
• Performs crisis intervention, in person and on the phone, management of assaultive behavior, and general supportive counseling; coordinates or arranges for the provision of needed services including emergency detention when patient is a danger to self or others.
• Provides supportive services including individual, group or family counseling, and various group activities such as exercise and art.
• Confers with medical, mental health and inter-agency staff regarding client needs and ways of improving staff's ability to impact on clients.
• May serve as case coordinator for assigned patients or clients.
• Participates in case conferences and provides input regarding mental health cases and problems.
• Maintains prescribed standards of mental health treatment and ensures services are rendered in conformance with policy and procedural guidelines.
• Adheres to the confidentiality standards of the Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. § 552a), as amended.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Understanding of Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS) requirements and ability to manage conservatorship referrals and treatment recommendations.
• Understanding of criminogenic thinking and behavior and ability to therapeutically intervene with these populations and characteristics.
• Principles and practices of general psychiatric nursing care, as defined by the State of California licensing requirements.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and practices of planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the quality of work of assigned staff.
• Training principles and practice.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances related to the work.
• Principles and practices of general psychiatric nursing care, as defined by the State of California licensing requirements.
• Techniques for working with individuals with significant behavioral health challenges.
• Medical and psychiatric terminology and first aid methods and procedures.
• Psychiatric medicines, including narcotics, and their effects on patients.
• Standard medical recordkeeping, including patient charting and the processing and maintenance of required documentation.
• Principles, practices and methods of community mental health treatment including interviewing, assessment and family and group counseling.
• Knowledge of social, psychological and physical factors or mental and emotional disorders.
• Requirements for utilization review and infectious disease and control.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Basic business mathematics and basic statistical techniques.
• Record keeping principles and practices.
• Medi-Cal documentation standards.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards. 
• Conduct psychiatric assessments and evaluations and report physical and mental condition findings to medical staff.
• Assign, direct, review and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
• Train staff in work procedures.
• Assess behavioral and/or emotional health status and develop effective patient treatment plans.
• Perform crisis intervention, manage assaultive behavior, respond promptly to patient emergency situations and take effective action to control potentially violent incidents.
• Prepare clear and complete reports, patient document and other written correspondence.
• Perform utilization review and infection control functions for compliance with standards.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of psychiatric disorders in children, adults and families.
• Use clinical judgment to determine if an action needs to be taken.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Understand client rights as they related to treatment options.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
 
Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution with major coursework in nursing, psychology, or a related field; and
 
three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in psychiatric nursing, including experience as a charge or lead nurse.
 
Certifications and Licenses:
 

• Possession of a valid Registered Nursing license issued by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing.
• Possession of a valid CPR/AED certification. 
• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting, or clinical setting, and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and medical equipment; standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required, and travel to visit outpatient and rural clinics may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 45 pounds or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to assess emergency situations, including medical incidents and to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office and medical equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Employees work in an office, out-patient, clinic, jail, juvenile facility or locked psychiatric facility environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Employees may work outdoors and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels and cold and/or hot temperatures.
• Employees provide services in controlled environment, including a jail-based setting with long wait times, non-traditional service locations and lack of access to internet or computer materials.
• Employees interact with clients with behavioral disorders/erratic and assaultive behavior, including those which require emergency crisis intervention.
• Incumbents may be exposed to blood and body fluids in performing their assigned duties.
• Employees may be exposed to communicable diseases and blood borne pathogens.
• Employees may interact with upset staff, clients, and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
• Must be willing to work after hours, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
• Employees may be at risk for secondary trauma and long hours and schedules.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes a motor vehicle, medical equipment utilized in the course of work (ex. stethoscope, blood pressure monitoring equipment, injection supplies), personal protective clothing, personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment.

Disaster Service Worker
All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.