Mental Health Nurse I

SAN-Benito-Count; Hollister (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

San Benito County is seeking a licensed Mental Health Nurse to provide nursing services, counseling and assessments in clinics and community settings. You will coordinate care, deliver group and individual therapy, educate clients on health and medications, and support prevention of mental illness.

The role requires RN licensure, solid knowledge of psychiatric conditions, and the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Board-approved Registered Nursing curriculum.
• Possession of an active, unencumbered RN license in California.
• Desirable qualifications include CNA/Medical Assistant/ Psychiatric Technician/ Counselor experience and BLS certification.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and provides mental health nursing services.
• Provides health and mental health counseling to individuals and families.
• Implements medical care plans within department guidelines.
• Interviews, counsels, and refers clients to resources.
• Administers injections and oversees clinic care.
• Maintains client health and medication records.
• Coordinates with physicians and other staff on treatment plans.

Skills

Nursing

Psychiatric care

Counseling

Medical terminology

Communication

Education

RN license

Job description

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, to provide mental health nursing services, instruction, counseling and assessments in clinics and community facilities; to assist with prevention and alleviation of mental illness and promote mental health; to coordinate and participate in a variety of mental health nursing assessments, direct patient care, group and individual counseling, and health education services; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a first level in the Mental Health Nurse classification series. Performance of responsibilities requires specialized knowledge of physical and psychiatric conditions of mental health clients and their relationship to psychotropic and other drugs and medications. Due to the size of the County and the Department, it is a journey-level position and requires the ability to function independently. Upon successful completion of one year at level I, incumbents may be promoted to level II. Incumbents report to the Assistant Director of Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Director or designee.

• Plans, organizes and provides mental health nursing services
• Provides health and mental health counseling 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 Mental 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
• Develops regular and special treatments and procedures
• Observes and evaluates clients' signs, symptoms, and therapy progress
• Identifies and interprets client findings or changes requiring attention or notification of other professional staff
• Assists with special treatment, tests, and administration of prescribed medications
• Makes adjustments in patient care, commensurate with a patient's condition and progress
• Provides basic assessments and counseling to clients
• Counsels and educates clients regarding mental health status, treatment plans, psychoactive medications, benefits and side effects of medications, disease prevention, and basic living skills
• 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 mental health staff regarding health care issues and client treatment plans
• Administers injections
• Oversees client clinic care
• Orders medications and stores them in a secure area
• 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
• Other duties, as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Completion of a Board-approved Registered Nursing curriculum.

Special Requirements:

1. Possession of an active, unencumbered license from the California Board of Registered Nursing.
2. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Desirable Qualifications:

1. Professional experience in healthcare or social services, such as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant, Psychiatric Technician, Mental Health Worker, Case Manager, Counselor, or closely related field.
2. A current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from a recognized provider is preferred but may be obtained after hire.

Knowledge of:

Principles, techniques and methods used in counseling and psychotherapy; principles, methods, and practices of general and psychiatric nursing; 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.

Ability to:

Provide a variety of general and mental health nursing services; 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; integrate a number of clinical approaches in the development of treatment plans; recognize potential crises and provide crisis intervention services; counsel clients and make referrals to community resource agencies; effectively represent the Mental Health Department in contacts with the public, community organizations, and other governmental agencies; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; some positions may require sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to physically restrain disturbed clients; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of medical and office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX. Work is performed in office, clinic, and community facility environments; exposure to communicable diseases; continuous contact with other staff and the public.

Disaster Service Workers:

All San Benito County employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 S 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster.