Medication Support at Transitions Mental Health Association

Description

POSITION TITLE:  MEDICATION SUPPORT – LICENSED PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN OR LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

POSITION SUMMARY:

Lompoc FSP is designed to engage adults with severe and persistent mental illness and provide treatment, rehabilitation and social services in the community where they live, instead of a hospital or clinical setting. The Lompoc FSP team provides psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation services directly with a “whatever it takes” approach. For all Lompoc FSP clients, functioning in major life domains presents significant personal difficulties. These domains include affordable and safe housing; meaningful daily pursuits, including employment; and satisfying interpersonal relationships. Addressing the rehabilitation needs of clients in these key domains will be the team’s essential purpose. Lompoc FSP provides a full range of services including assessment, individualized treatment planning, personal service coordination, integrated co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder treatment, medication services and access to support services on a 24/7, 365 day basis. The Medication Support person is a member of the Lompoc FSP  multidisciplinary team and is responsible for conducting trauma informed psychiatric assessments; assessing physical health needs; making appropriate referrals to community physicians; providing management and administration of medication in conjunction with the psychiatrist; providing a range of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services; and sharing shift-management responsibility with other staff. 

HOURS/ SALARY:

Part-time, non-exempt position. 21-28 hours per week. Anticipated hiring range is $33.00-$34.50. Includes a generous individual benefits package that includes critical illness benefits, accident benefits, 403b retirement (with up to a 5% employer match) paid sick time and a variety of helpful employee perks as well. (*Full Salary Schedule $33.00-$41.00 per hour). 

Employee Perks/ Work Culture:

A few of our helpful employee benefits include membership discounts to various local fitness centers, as well as a voucher to Sycamore Mineral Springs for discounts. We offer years of service gift cards to businesses of your choice. We offer gift cards for walking, biking, or carpooling to work as well as 20% discount for shopping at our Growing Grounds Downtown Store/Nursey/ Farm. We host two employee appreciation events for employees and their families yearly. We practice Trauma Informed Care Principles, Guidelines for Collaborative Conversations, and encourage the use of pronouns. We mindfully promote equality, respect and diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the fascinating characteristics that make us different! TMHA is also a pet friendly workplace (upon approval)!

Mission Statement:

Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community and family support services. 

Organization Description:

Transitions – Mental Health Association is a leading non-profit agency committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals and families by inspiring hope, growth, recovery and wellness in our communities.  TMHA has decades of experience with teams of compassionate staff. TMHA is a driving force in improving mental health and wellness in our communities and a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and individual contributions. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Participate in and conduct parts of the client-centered comprehensive assessment of psychiatric history (e.g., onset, course and effect of illness, past treatment and responses, and risk behaviors.), mental status, and diagnosis; physical health and dental health; use of drugs or alcohol; education and employment; social development and functioning; activities of daily living (e.g., self-care, living situation, nutrition, money management) and family structure and relationships. 

2. Under the direction of the team MD/DO/NP/PA/RN and in collaboration with other medical staff on the team, develop, revise, maintain, and supervise team psychopharmacologic and medical treatment and medication policies and procedures including transcribing, administering, evaluating, and recording psychotropic medication prescribed by the team psychiatrist; evaluate and chart psychotropic medication effectiveness, complications, and side effects, and arrange for required lab work according to protocol. 

3. Participate in daily staff organizational meetings and treatment planning review meetings.

4. Be proficient with computer systems such as outlook, Microsoft word and excel and teams. Expected to check emails and teams daily and provide daily updates.

5. Document all contact with clients daily.

6. Complete program documentation within the guidelines of Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness requirements.  Expected to learn SmartCare and become proficient in a timely manner,

7. All direct service staff are expected to spend at least 50% of their work time in direct service and support of clients, unless otherwise assigned by your supervisor.

8. Medi-Cal billing provides a critical portion of funding for this program. You are expected to reach documentation and billing goals as set by Team Leader and Director.

9. Ensure all program policies and procedures are followed specifically medication room policies

10. Complete timesheets and other program paperwork as required in a timely manner.

11. Under the direction of the team medication provider and the supervising RN and in collaboration with other med support staff, organize and manage pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. 

12. Provide direct clinical services to clients on an individual, group, and family basis in the office and in community settings to teach behavioral symptom-management techniques to alleviate and manage symptoms not reduced by medication and to promote personal growth and development by assisting clients to adapt and cope with internal and external stresses. 

13. Assist clients in learning more about substance abuse and treatment options open to them such as A.A. and other support groups.  Work with clients in identifying possible precursors that could lead to alcohol or drug abuse.

14. Act as agency liaison by consulting, collaborating, and communicating with the Team Leader, medication provider, Behavioral Wellness, and other treatment agencies to meet client and program objectives. This duty may include coordinating referrals and/or providing information to other agencies or treatment programs.

15. The Medication Support person will provide practical help and supports, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, problem solving, direct assistance, training, and supervision to help clients obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care.

16. Promote, encourage and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities. Practice and promote, both individually and in team meetings, TMHA’s Collaborative Communication Guidelines in order to facilitate clear, empathetic and person-centered communication. 

17. All other duties as assigned by Lompoc FSP Team Leader and Directors.

Job Environment:

1. Daily and frequent documentation of client services on the computer.

2. Services are delivered to clients during a Monday through Sunday workweek; schedules will be developed in collaboration with all teammates and management staff to ensure maximum support for clients.

3. Moderate, physical activity and frequent driving that will include the transportation of TMHA clients; may include moving or lifting up to 50 lbs.

4. Involves moderate risks that require safety precautions and the risk of exposure to potentially intense situations.  

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

1. Must be a Licensed Psychiatric Technician/Licensed Vocational Nurse in the state of California and must provide the Human Resources office with a copy of that license. 

2. Must have experience working with persons with severe and persistent mental illness.

3. Must have experience working with persons who are chronically homeless, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.

4. Must have a strong commitment in clients’ rights to self-govern and create their own choices. 

5. Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral/written and communication skills.  

6. Well defined organizational and time management skills. 

7. Ability to work independently and flexibly

8. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure. 

9. Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level

10. Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.  

11. Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace.

12. Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction. 

13. Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.

14. Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

15. Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services

16. Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity. 

17. Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business. 

18. Conditions of employment include: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience, reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements.  May be required to utilize personal vehicle and auto insurance.  

• Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.  

• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

Physical Demands:

1. Seeing

2. Hearing

3. Speaking

4. Stooping/Bending

5. Moving around office

6. Moving between offices/clients

7. Driving

8. Climbing

9. Lifting/carrying heavy items

10. Computer use

11. Pushing/pulling/dragging items

12. Standing for long periods

13. Working outside

14. Using hands/fingers