Mental Health Worker I/II

Humboldt County; Eureka (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Humboldt County's Department of Health and Human Services seeks a Mental Health Worker I/II – Behavioral Health to work overnight at 720 Wood St, Eureka. The role provides non-professional nursing support and patient care for mentally disabled individuals, under supervision of a health professional.

Responsibilities include trauma-informed care, group facilitation, crisis intervention, and coordination with treatment staff to support individualized care plans and patient safety.

Qualifications

• Two years of patient care services or related experience (health care/mental health setting) is desirable.
• Some college level coursework in psychology or related subject is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assists patients with personal hygiene activities.
• Observes and charts vital signs, collects samples for routine lab tests, and ensures treatment rooms are set up for examinations and treatment.
• Assists in managing assaultive behavior and places difficult patients in seclusion/restraints as required by staff.
• Provides supportive services in psychiatric facilities or day treatment centers, including groups and activities such as exercise and art; monitors patient progress.
• Performs crisis intervention, in person and over the phone, and coordinates provision of needed services.
• Documents behavior in patient charts.
• Confers with treatment staff on patient needs and ways to improve care.
• Performs driving, house cleaning, cooking, and other household tasks for patients.
• Coordinates food ordering and recordkeeping for patients.
• May serve as case coordinator for assigned patients/clients.

Skills

Group facilitation

Mental health concepts

Medical/nursing terminology

Recordkeeping principles

Household management and personal care

Patient support

Crisis response

Violence prevention

Behavior observation

Interpersonal skills

Group activities

Light housekeeping

Education

Some college coursework in psychology

Job description

Mental Health Worker I/II - Behavioral Health

Department of Health and Human Services

Please Note:

This recruitment is open until filled. County Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time. Applications will be screened on a weekly basis.

Job Highlights:

• Model and reinforce approaches that promote trauma informed care.
• Communicate with staff of adjoining shifts to gather/exchange information and communicate observations about patients/clients to professional staff.
• May participate in daily treatment team meetings to communicate changes in patient presentation and implement therapeutic strategies to support individualized care plans.

Work Location

720 Wood St, Eureka, CA 95501

Work Schedule

Overnight shifts; Three 12-hour shifts (7:00pm - 7:30am) and one 4-hour shift (7:00pm - 11:00pm)

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, provides non-professional nursing care and out- or in-patient support for mentally disabled patients; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Mental Health Worker I is the entry level class in this specialist support class. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn departmental and treatment policies and procedures. This class is alternately staffed with Mental Health Worker II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher level class.

Mental Health Worker II is an experienced class responsible for providing services to mental health patients in an out- or inpatient setting under the direction of a mental health professional. Responsibilities include extensive contact with mentally ill patients and effective follow-up. This class is distinguished from Mental Health Clinician and Psychiatric Technician classes in that the latter are licensed classes providing professional clinical patient care and treatment.

• Assists patients with personal hygiene activities.
• Observes and charts vital signs, collects samples for routine lab tests, and ensures that treatment rooms are set up for examinations and treatment.
• Assists in managing assaultive behavior of patients and assists with placing difficult patients in seclusion and/or restraints, as required by treatment staff.
• Provides supportive services in a psychiatric health facility or a day treatment center including facilitating various groups and activities such as exercise and art; monitors patient adjustment and progress.
• Performs crisis intervention, in person and over the phone, to provide support and assistance in problem resolution and coordinates or arranges for the provision of needed services.
• Documents behavior in patient charts.
• Confers with treatment staff regarding patient needs and ways of improving staff's ability to impact on patient.
• Performs driving, facility or house cleaning, cooking and other household living tasks for mental health patients.
• Coordinates food ordering and recordkeeping for patients.
• May serve as case coordinator for assigned patients or clients.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques related to facilitating groups and activities and care of the mentally ill.
• Basic concepts of mental and emotional disturbances and mental deficiencies.
• Basic medical and nursing terminology and concepts related to basic mental health care. Community resources providing assistance to the mentally ill.
• Business arithmetic.
• Recordkeeping principles and practices.
• Household management and personal care activities.

Skill in:

• Providing support for the mentally disabled in out- or inpatient settings.
• Assisting in managing assaultive behavior, and responding promptly to patient emergency situations.
• Taking effective action to control potentially violent incidents, as directed by treatment staff.
• Observing and accurately describing patient behavior and activities.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials under direction of treatment staff.
• Exercising sound judgment within established guidelines.
• Establishing an maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Leading and facilitating group and recreational activities.
• Performing light housekeeping, household management, and personal care.

Other Requirements:

Must possess a valid California driver's license. Some positions may require possession of a valid Class B California driver's license.

Desirable Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:

Mental Health Worker I: Two years of patient care services or related experience preferably in a health care or mental health setting. Some college level coursework in psychology or a related subject is desirable.

Mental Health Worker II: In addition to the above, two years of experience in providing direct patient care in a mental health setting in a position comparable to Mental Health Worker I.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The County Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, LGBTQIA+ community members, etc.) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access and opportunities in its programs, activities, and employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disabilities. The Human Resources Department is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance on 4th Street. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. If invited to an examination and you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please contact Human Resources immediately at [phone] so arrangements can be made.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The county is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws or ordinances.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.

OTHER EXAMINATIONS

Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.

LICENSES

Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six (6) months but could be up to one (1) year. All designated safety employees serve a one-year probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

It is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment, you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All County of Humboldt 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.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.