Psychiatric Staff Nurse I/II - Extra-Help Psychiatric Staff Nurse I/II

Job Title

This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both full time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay is $35.28 - $39.50 per hour. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Implement patient medical care plans as developed and prescribed within Mental Health Department guidelines and policies.
• Provide direct care for regular and individual special treatments or procedures.
• Observe and evaluate patients' signs, symptoms, and reactions to therapy in efforts to identify or interpret significant findings or changes requiring attention or notification of other professional staff.
• Assists with special treatments, tests, and administering prescribed medications, making constant adjustments commensurate with a patient's condition.
• Maintain control of drugs and medications.
• Instruct and interact with patients and/or relatives concerning home care.
• Initiate appropriate emergency measures, requiring independent judgment to sustain life, as necessary.
• Assist with evaluating services of an assigned unit or program.
• Consults with experienced Psychiatric Staff Nurses when patient's problems are not within the scope of practice.
• Assists with the development of procedures and methods to improve in-patient and/or outpatient services.

Minimum Qualifications

LEVEL I Experience: None. Prior nursing experience is desirable. Education: Graduation from an accredited school of nursing. License: Possess and maintain a valid license as a Registered Nurse or Interim Permit issued by the State of California. Incumbents appointed while holding an Interim Permit must obtain Licensure within 6 months of appointment or be removed from this classification. LEVEL II Experience: One (1) year of responsible professional nursing experience in providing nursing services. Education: Graduation from an accredited school of nursing. License: Possess and maintain a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California. Some positions in this classification will be subject to criminal history background checks pursuant to the Human Resources Rules and Regulations, Section 2, B.

Essential Functions

• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations, develop appropriate conclusions, and prepare reports.
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
• Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
• Complete multiple priority projects with conflicting deadlines.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Lift and move with help objects weighing over 50 pounds.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and move with help objects weighing over 100 pounds.
• The employee shall be physically able to handle a "take down" procedure (restrain hostile/violent clients in a crisis situation) as warranted during the course of performing their assigned duties.
• Duties require exposure to patients who may be hostile, violent, mentally ill, and/or who may have infectious diseases.
• Positions assigned to the Marie Green In-Patient Unit and Crisis Stabilization Unit work shifts and holidays.
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Sit, stand or walk for long periods of time.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Modern methods, techniques, and procedures of general psychiatric professional nursing.
• Psychiatric terminology and medical terminology.
• Procedures, equipment, and methods used for in-patient and out-patient medical care.
• Rehabilitation methods and programs.
• Counseling and treatment methods for patients with mental health and alcohol and drug problems.
• Serious Mental Disorders and use of/Psychiatric medications and potential side effects.

Ability to:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate nursing plans to meet psychiatric in-patients' needs.
• Analyze facts and conditions, apply sound psychiatric principles in making decisions.
• Serves as a team member and leader in the development of nursing and psychiatric treatment services for patients.
• Use patience and understanding when dealing with patients with mental problems.
• Develop and use community resources in psychiatric nursing work.
• Provide counseling and assistance for family members of patients.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, physicians, co-workers and those contacted during the course of work.

Benefits

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES VACATION 10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours). SICK LEAVE 0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria. HOLIDAYS Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays. BEREAVEMENT LEAVE Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays. INSURANCE HEALTH INSURANCE Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums. Dental Insurance - Delta Dental County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s) Vision Insurance - VSP County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s) DISABILITY INSURANCE State Disability Insurance (SDI) Merced County non-management employees are enrolled in the State Disability Insurance Program (SDI). Premiums for this insurance are paid by the employee. This insurance is administered solely by the State, who determines eligibility and payments. Benefit amounts are based on the quarter with the highest wages earned within the base period. LIFE INSURANCE County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance Represented Employees $10,000 Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee RETIREMENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable. MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount. EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS. EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services. EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more. THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY. For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Merced County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services