INTRODUCTORY PERIOD:
All regular appointees serve a six (6) month introductory period.

CITIZENSHIP/IMMIGRATION STATUS:
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Neighborhood House Association hires only U.S. citizens and others lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. 

This Job Announcement is not an offer of employment. The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any of the provisions contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked without notice. Any person who is hired may voluntarily leave their employment upon giving proper notice and may be terminated by the Agency at any time and for any reason.  Any oral or written statements to the contrary are hereby expressly disavowed and should not be relied upon by any prospective or existing employee.

Please note that offers of employment are only valid if they are made by the Human Resources Department

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Department Program: Healing Oaks Clinic 286 S Euclid Avenue Suite 102 San Diego, CA 92114

POSITION TITLE: BSPR PSYCHIATRIC LICENSED VOCATION NURSE

Psychiatric Licensed Vocation Nurse 1.0 Direct FTE; Psychiatric Licensed Vocation Nurse, Bilingual 1.0 Direct FTE

POSITION PURPOSE: The BPSR Psychiatric LVNs provides comprehensive on-site nursing services to a severally mentally ill adult population and provide professional nursing care to individuals living with severe mental illness in a field of specialized competence, which includes health screening, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals living with severe mental illness.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: BPSR Psychiatric Licensed Vocational Nurse reports to Lead Registered Charge Nurse.

PROGRAM SUMMARY FOR HEALING OAKS HYBRID OUTPATIENT CLINIC INCLUDING URGENT WALK-IN, ADMINISTRATION, AND MOBILE OUTREACH

The Healing Oaks Hybrid Outpatient Clinic (HOC), a Short-Doyle Medi-Cal certified (SD/MC) and Drug Medi-Cal (DMC-ODS) Program, that will provide outpatient psychiatric and behavioral health services to individuals ages 18+ with severe mental illnesses (SMI), including co-occurring disorders (COD), in the Central Region of San Diego of zip-code 92114. As a hybrid outpatient and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), HOC will provide evidence-based services to include psycho-social rehabilitation practices with a strengths-based emphasis that include psychosocial rehabilitation, psychiatric medication management, individual and group counseling, employment support, peer support, urgent walk-in and assessment, mobile outreach, case management, MAT, ambulatory withdrawal management (WM), recovery services, and both outpatient (ODT) and intensive outpatient (IOT) substance use treatment. These services have been designed to help residents in San Diego County with specialized care for transitional-aged youth (TAY), perinatal and parenting women and their children, justice involved individuals, and individuals with co-occurring disorder to include severe mental illness. Through these services, HOC will help residents of the community increase their functionality, live more fulfilling lives, and transition into lower levels of care and ultimately achieve a sustained recovery from substance use and mental illness. HOC’s services also include specialized programs for TAY, Older Adults, and individuals with COD that are person-centered, individualized, clinically effective, outcomes-driven, culturally responsive, gender-specific, trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive of Evidence base (EB) treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery service approaches.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Professional nursing principles, procedures and techniques used in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients; Social, psychological, and physical factors of mental and emotional disorders including co-occurring disorders; Medical and psychological terminology; Control, preparation and administration of medications; State of California laws and regulations for the nursing profession; Regulations pertaining to psychiatric nursing and the treatment of the mentally and emotionally disturbed patient; Organization and procedures of mental health treatment facilities and the use of multi-disciplinary treatment teams; Symptoms and behavior patterns of emotionally disturbed and individuals with severe mental illness; Medical and psychiatric emergency procedures; Community resources; Evidence-based practices and issues pertaining to psychosocial treatments for SUD, Motivational Interviewing, and Relapse Prevention. Experience working with a culturally diverse population and knowledge of cultural issues, values, & beliefs of the target population of adults w/ SMI, homelessness, co-occurring disorders, and criminogenic risks and needs, relevant to providing appropriate BPSR program services; Clinical assessment of clients with severe mental illness, counseling theory, and clinical care coordination principles, and best practices, cultural and socio-economic issues relevant to providing appropriate rehabilitation and recovery services to special population groups, including Latino, African American, and LGBTQIA+ communities, human behavior and the social environment; Exercise sound, expert independent judgment within general policy guidelines; Communicate clearly and concisely; operate a computer using word processing, spreadsheet, and database software applications; Operate standard office equipment.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Program completion of vocational, trade, or private nursing school and at least two years of full-time nursing experience in a psychiatric facility or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have a valid and active Licensed Vocational Nurse license issued by the state of California. One Psychiatric LVN must be Bilingual in Spanish. A Valid Driver’s License with current California automobile insurance; A Valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification; A Valid Tuberculosis Blood (TB) test; Proof of Completed Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccination is required upon hire. Some positions require transportation of clients in personal vehicle.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: Provides professional nursing care to mentally ill outpatients including those with co-occurring disorders; Performs intake psychiatric interview and assessment; Consults with psychiatrists and other mental health staff in designing appropriate treatment plans for clients and in ongoing treatment of patients; initiates and continues treatment plans; Ensures that all lab tests are completed; administers, monitors the use of and notes reactions to psychotropic drugs and other medications; Assesses clients in crisis situations and facilitates prompt resolution (administering medication, counseling, etc.) with physician authorization; Orders medications and refills as appropriate; Assists patients in obtaining and makes appropriate referrals for necessary or requested services (e.g., housing, food, etc.); Informs and/or instructs patients and/or family members about the nature of the illness, any preventive measures, the medications prescribed and possible side effects, etc.; Assists the patient to understand and accept the need for treatment. Collaborates with other nurses and program team members, family members, and, in some cases, hospitals, board and care facilities, pharmacists, conservators, etc.; Attends, participates in and provides information about assigned patients in daily meetings of nurses, weekly staff conferences and other case consultations; Requests assistance and guidance from management and professional staff when necessary to address patient issues and problems; Works with family members, conservators, etc. to ensure medication compliance by providing information and instruction; Communicates and/or follows-up with pharmacists and hospitals; Performs various administrative functions involved in patient care; Updates appropriate components of client charts; Completes admittance and other necessary paperwork; Enters necessary data and information; Obtains and reviews medical records; Completes all other duties as assigned.