MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, R.N./EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS HOMELESSNESS

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

EXAM NUMBER: b5278J-EA The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you. The Department of Mental Health is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Mental Health Counselor, RN. vacancies related to the homelessness crisis. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighed 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Mental Health Counselor, RN. About this position: Provides individual counseling to a caseload of assigned patients in the regional Mental Health Clinic. Conducts initial interview and ongoing assessment of client's presenting problems, including mental status, level of functioning, developmental status, social and employment skills, co-occurring substance abuse problems, and mental and physical health educational needs. Obtains client's social and medical history, and integrates assessment of physical health problems that impact the client's mental illness. Provides input to the multidisciplinary team with respect to the client's diagnosis as impacted by physical health problems. With the participation of the client and appropriate others, plans and conducts the Client Care Coordination Plan; and in collaboration with the treatment team, determines whether the client requires long- or short-term counseling, the priorities in which the problems will be addressed, the counseling methods to be used, and the advisability of using individual or group counseling. Administers psychotropic medication; monitors drug effectiveness and side effects; and provides drug education to clients and clients' families. Provides periodic and ongoing re-assessment of changes in client's mental and physical health status, nutritional status, and progress toward recovery. Plans and conducts conferences with family members, significant others, and caregivers in order to gain insight into the client’s mental illness by observing how the client reacts to the family and the family to the client. Evaluates client outcomes and periodically consults with the psychiatrist to determine the need for adjustments in the Client Care Coordination Plan. Guides individual and group therapy activities by facilitating communication, clarifying questions, explaining behavior characteristics, and encouraging interaction within the group in order to assist clients in gaining insight into their emotional problems and in developing new coping strategies. Identifies community agencies and resources to assist clients with rehabilitation and recovery while living in the community; and may interact with private medical facilities, courts, and governmental agencies to link or coordinate services. Participates in team meetings to discuss ongoing client needs and progress, shift activity, and adherence to program policies and procedures such as documentation and timeliness of services and/or treatments provided. Serves as a member of the Psychiatric Mobile Response Team or similar crisis response team in reply to urgent requests to evaluate the mental status of persons who appear dangerous to themselves or others, or who appear to be gravely disabled due to mental illness. Assesses client's suicidal or homicidal tendencies, potential for violence towards self or others, and grave disability; makes independent judgment with respect to client's need for involuntary treatment; and, where appropriate, signs application for immediate 72-hour detention at a hospital facility or schedules an appointment for evaluation and treatment at mental health clinic. As acting Officer of the Day, provides triage, information and referral when appropriate, and may assess incoming clients for assignment within the unit or department. Conducts site reviews and investigates client complaints or grievances by reviewing clinical records to ensure quality of care, appropriateness of medications administered based on diagnosis, and overall mental health treatment plan; writes plan of corrective action as appropriate and conducts follow-up visits as necessary to ensure that compliance standards are met. Minimum Requirements: OPTION I: One year as an Assistant Mental Health Counselor, RN* in the service of Los Angeles County. OPTION II: A Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited**college or university withcompletion of specialty coursework inpsychiatric nursing --AND-- two years of full-time post baccalaureate experience as a licensed registered nurse in psychiatric nursing. OPTION III: A Master's degree in Psychiatric Nursingfrom an accredited**college or university--AND-- one year of full-time post-graduate experience as a licensed registered nurse in psychiatric nursing. License Requirement: An active license (without limitations or restrictions) to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing. A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. Physical Class: II – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit and some bending, stooping or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved. Payroll Status Requirements: Option I: *To qualify, applicants must have County status in the class as evidence by holding or having held such payroll title in the service of Los Angeles County for the required amount of time to qualify. Option II & Option III: see **accreditation information below. Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion: The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices. Social Security Number Language: Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number. Computer and Internet Access at Libraries: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. No Sharing User ID and Password: All applicants must file their applications online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record. Important Notes: Applications may be rejected at any stage of the examination and selection process. FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION or RESCISSION OF APPOINTMENT. Utilizing VERBIAGE from the Class Specification, Minimum Requirements, and/or Special Requirement Information serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. In doing so, your application will be REJECTED as INCOMPLETE. Department Contact: HR Examinations Unit: View phone number on click.appcast.io HR Examinations Unit Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Analyst Contact Phone: Irene San, View phone number on click.appcast.io Analyst Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io ADA Coordinator Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io Teletype Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io California Relay Services Phones: View phone number on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr County of Los Angeles