Behavioral Health Nurse/Psych Tech

For exact salary information please refer to the current salary schedule, County website. 

DEFINITION

Under direction, to provide Behavioral Health nursing/client care services, instruction, counseling and assessments in clinics and community facilities; to assist with prevention and alleviation of mental illness and promote Behavioral Health; to assist and participate in a variety of Behavioral Health nursing/client care assessments, direct patient care, assist with group and individual counseling, and health education services; and to do related work as required. This classification is a for cause, non-exempt position.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry and first working level clinical classification in the Behavioral Health medical unit.  Incumbents must have requisite California State license nursing/psychiatric certification, but may have limited behavioral health nursing/client care work experience. Performance of responsibilities, under supervision, requires gaining the specialized knowledge of physical and psychiatric conditions of Behavioral Health clients and their relationship to psychotropic and other drugs and medications.

REPORTS TO

Senior Staff Psychiatrist, Senior Behavioral Health Nurse

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

None. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Assists in the planning, organizing and providing of Behavioral Health nursing/client care services; provides health and behavioral health counseling, under supervision, to individuals and their families regarding mental illness, health conditions, health maintenance, and rehabilitation in clinic, day treatment, or community settings; implements clients medical care plans as developed and prescribed within Behavioral Health Department guidelines and policies; serves as team member in the development, implementation, and evaluation of direct client care; interviews, educates, counsels, and refers clients regarding a variety of health conditions; observes and evaluates clients= signs, symptoms, and therapy progress; identifies client findings or changes requiring attention or notification of other professional staff; and assists with special treatment, tests, makes  adjustments in patient care commensurate with a patient=s condition and progress; provides health education regarding personal hygiene, nutrition, and care and treatment of health problems; teaches and demonstrates client care to family members and others; consults with other Behav­ioral Health staff regarding health care issues and client treatment plans; maintains a variety of client health and medication records; refers individuals and families to appropri­ate agencies and clinics, as necessary; conducts health appraisals and follows-up on findings; confers with physicians, other professionals, and concerned parties regarding the needs of clients with mental disabilities; prepares reports and maintains records for treatment, client appraisals, and development of treatment plans. 

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, methods, and practices of general and psychiatric nursing/client care.
•  Medical terminology.
• Community resources available for support of individuals in various levels of care.
• Normal and abnormal growth and development patterns.          
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing  communicable diseases, mental disabilities, and other disabling conditions.      
• Causes, means of transmission, and methods of controlling communicable diseases.

 DESIRED SKILLS:

• Learn the principles, techniques and methods used in counseling and psycho­therapy, including a wide range of treatment modalities.
• Provide a variety of general and psychiatric nursing/client care services under supervi­sion.
• Develop and maintain cooperative, constructive relationships with families of clients, members of other professional disciplines, social agencies, and other staff.
• Prepare case work records and make sound recommendations regarding client progress and care.
• Provide individual and group therapy.
• Assess the physical condition of patients.
• Interview patients and families to gather medical history data and determine their needs.
• Recognize potential crises and provide crisis intervention services.
• Counsel clients and make referrals to community resource agencies.
• Effectively represent the Behavioral Health Department in contacts with the public, community organizations, and other governmental agencies.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. 

Completion of nursing or psychiatric studies and curriculum to possess requisite license(s) from the state of California.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Two years of providing nursing services, social services, or counseling in a public or certified private welfare or health agency.  Psychiatric experience desired.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or Psychiatric Technician issued by the appropriate California state board. 

Salary : $65,062 - $83,075