Mental Health Nurse I/II

Description

DEFINITION
I
Under general supervision, to provide mental health nursing services, instruction, counseling and assessments in clinics and community facilities; to assist with prevention and alleviation of mental illness and promote mental health; to coordinate and participate in a variety of mental health nursing assessments, direct patient care, group and individual counseling, and health education services; and to do related work as required.

II
Under general supervision, to provide mental health nursing services, instruction, counseling and assessments in clinics and community facilities; to assist with prevention and alleviation of mental illness and promote mental health; to coordinate and participate in a variety of mental health nursing assessments, direct patient care, group and individual counseling, and health education services; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
I
This is a first level in the Mental Health Nurse classification series. Performance of responsibilities requires specialized knowledge of physical and psychiatric conditions of mental health clients and their relationship to psychotropic and other drugs and medications. Due to the size of the County and the Department, it is a journey-level position and requires the ability to function independently. Upon successful completion of one year at level I, incumbents may be promoted to level II.

II
This is the advanced- level in the Mental Health Nurse classification series. Performance of responsibilities requires specialized knowledge of physical and psychiatric conditions of mental health clients and their relationship to psychotropic and other drugs and medications.

REPORTS TO

Assistant Director of Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Director, Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or designee

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

This is not a supervisory classification.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; some positions may require sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to physically restrain disturbed clients; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of medical and office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in office, clinic, and community facility environments; exposure to communicable diseases; continuous contact with other staff and the public.

Example of Duties

(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)
I
Plans, organizes and provides mental health nursing services
Provides health and mental health counseling to individuals and their families regarding mental illness, health conditions, health maintenance, and rehabilitation in clinic, day treatment, or community settings
Implements clients medical care plans as developed and prescribed within Mental Health Department guidelines and policies
Serves as team member in the development, implementation, and evaluation of direct client care
Interviews, educates, counsels, and refers clients regarding a variety of health conditions
Develops regular and special treatments and procedures
Observes and evaluates clients' signs, symptoms, and therapy progress
Identifies and interprets client findings or changes requiring attention or notification of other professional staff
Assists with special treatment, tests, and administration of prescribed medications
Makes adjustments in patient care, commensurate with a patient's condition and progress
Provides basic assessments and counseling to clients
Counsels and educates clients regarding mental health status, treatment plans, psychoactive medications, benefits and side effects of medications, disease prevention, and basic living skills
Provides health education regarding personal hygiene, nutrition, and care and treatment of health problems
Teaches and demonstrates client care to family members and others
Consults with other mental health staff regarding health care issues and client treatment plans
Administers injections
Oversees client clinic care
Orders medications and stores them in a secure area
Maintains a variety of client health and medication records
Refers individuals and families to appropriate agencies and clinics, as necessary
Conducts health appraisals and follows-up on findings
Confers with physicians, other professionals, and concerned parties regarding the needs of clients with mental disabilities
Prepares reports and maintains records for treatment, client appraisals, and development of treatment plans
Other duties, as assigned.
II
Plans, organizes and provides mental health nursing services;
Provides health and mental health counseling to individuals and their families regarding mental illness, health conditions, health maintenance, and rehabilitation in clinic, day treatment, or community settings
Implements clients medical care plans as developed and prescribed within Mental Health Department guidelines and policies
Serves as team member in the development, implementation, and evaluation of direct client care
Interviews, educates, counsels, and refers clients regarding a variety of health conditions
Develops regular and special treatments and procedures
Observes and evaluates clients' signs, symptoms, and therapy progress
Identifies and interprets client findings or changes requiring attention or notification of other professional staff
Assists with special treatment, tests, and administration of prescribed medications
Makes adjustments in patient care, commensurate with a patient's condition and progress
Provides basic assessments and counseling to clients
Counsels and educates clients regarding mental health status, treatment plans, psychoactive medications, benefits and side effects of medications, disease prevention, and basic living skillsProvides health education regarding personal hygiene, nutrition, and care and treatment of health problems
Teaches and demonstrates client care to family members and others
Consults with other mental health staff regarding health care issues and client treatment plans
Administers injections
Oversees client clinic care
Orders medications and stores them in a secure area
Maintains a variety of client health and medication records
Refers individuals and families to appropriate agencies and clinics, as necessary
Conducts health appraisals and follows-up on findings
Confers with physicians, other professionals, and concerned parties regarding the needs of clients with mental disabilities
Prepares reports and maintains records for treatment, client appraisals, and development of treatment plans
Other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

I
Education: Completion of nursing studies and curriculum sufficient to obtain requisite licenses from the State of California.

AND

Experience: One year of psychiatric nursing experience, providing nursing services, social services, or counseling in a public or certified private welfare or health agency.

Special Requirements:
Possession of a license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License

II
Education: Completion of nursing studies and curriculum sufficient to obtain requisite licenses from the State of California.
AND
Experience: One year as a Mental Health Nurse I with San Benito County

OR
Three years of psychiatric nursing experience, providing nursing services, social services, or counseling in a public or certified private welfare or health agency.

Special Requirements:
Possession of a license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge Of/Ability To

Knowledge of:
I
Principles, techniques and methods used in counseling and psychotherapy.
Principles, methods, and practices of general and psychiatric nursing.
Medical terminology.
Community resources available for support of individuals in various levels of care.
Normal and abnormal growth and development patterns.
Federal, State, and local laws and regulations governing communicable diseases, mental disabilities, and other disabling conditions.
Causes, means of transmission, and methods of controlling communicable diseases.

II
Principles, techniques and methods used in counseling and psychotherapy.
Principles, methods, and practices of general and psychiatric nursing.
Medical terminology.
Community resources available for support of individuals in various levels of care.
Normal and abnormal growth and development patterns.
Federal, State, and local laws and regulations governing communicable diseases, mental disabilities, and other disabling conditions.
Causes, means of transmission, and methods of controlling communicable diseases.

Ability to:
I
Provide a variety of general and mental health nursing services.
Develop and maintain cooperative, constructive relationships with families of clients, members of other professional disciplines, social agencies, and other staff.
Prepare case work records and make sound recommendations regarding client progress and care.
Provide individual and group therapy.
Assess the physical condition of patients.
Interview patients and families to gather medical history data and determine their needs.
Integrate a number of clinical approaches in the development of treatment plans.
Recognize potential crises and provide crisis intervention services.
Counsel clients and make referrals to community resource agencies.
Effectively represent the Mental Health Department in contacts with the public, community organizations, and other governmental agencies.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
II
Provide a variety of general and mental health nursing services.
Develop and maintain cooperative, constructive relationships with families of clients, members of other professional disciplines, social agencies, and other staff.
Prepare case work records and make sound recommendations regarding client progress and care.
Provide individual and group therapy.
Assess the physical condition of patients.
Interview patients and families to gather medical history data and determine their needs.
Integrate a number of clinical approaches in the development of treatment plans.
Recognize potential crises and provide crisis intervention services.
Counsel clients and make referrals to community resource agencies.
Effectively represent the Mental Health Department in contacts with the public, community organizations, and other governmental agencies.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Selection Process: All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all County of San Benito employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.

SAN BENITO COUNTY BENEFITS

Employees in regular, full-time positions will be eligible to participate in the following employee benefits:

Pay Day: Employees are paid bi-weekly.
Insurance Deductions: The insurance and benefits deductions will take place bi-monthly, normally the first two pay periods of the month. Bank/Credit union and 457 Retirement Deferrals deductions will take place bi-weekly.

Vacation: Based on continued years of service. Maximum accruals may apply depending on the bargaining unit.

• 5 to 9 years of service = 15 days per year
• 10 to 14 years of service = 18 days per year
• 15 + years of service = 20 days per year

Holidays: 13.5 holidays (including 3 floating) for most employees.

Sick Leave: 15 days per year. Maximum accruals apply.

Health Plan: Comprehensive medical and dental plans available for full-time employees. Employees appointed to a regular position at a time base of 50% or higher are also eligible to participate.

Vision Plan: MES Vision Plan offered which offers exams, frames and lenses on a 12-24-24 basis. The County pays for employee coverage and the employee can pay for dependent coverage. This benefit is available to FULL-TIME employees only.

Employee Assistance Program: The County provides confidential short-term counseling services to employees and dependents. Any regular employee is eligible for up to a total of three (3) hours of counseling sessions within any six (6) month period per County employee. Up to a maximum of six (6) sessions per calendar year are allowed per family

Life Insurance/AD&D: County pays for a $20,000 BASIC life insurance policy for each employee. Two other VOLUNTARY life insurance plans available, including AD&D.

Disability Insurance: General, Confidential and Management groups participate in the State Disability Insurance.

Credit Union: Membership to the Santa Clara Federal Credit Union is available to San Benito County employees.

Deferred Compensation: Employees may participate in tax-deferred retirement savings. Three 457 plans are available. Employees may rollover funds from prior 401k or 457 accounts. IRS limits apply.

Retirement: Regular employees will be enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system in accordance with the Public Employees' Retirement Law. Employee contributions vary according to bargaining unit.

All New Miscellaneous (non-Safety) employees enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system participate in the full formula of 2% at 62. Miscellaneous employees participate in Social Security in addition to CalPERS.

New Safety employees are covered by the safety full formula 2.7% at 57. Safety employees contribute 9% of the employee contribution. Safety employees do not participate in Social Security.

Supplemental Insurance: Employees may participate in various AFLAC plans such as accident, disability, and cancer insurances.

Additionaly, employees can enroll into a pre-tax cafeteria plan and flexible spending accounts including Unreimbursed Medical ($2500) and Dependent Care ($5000).

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Retirement Formula Local MISC 2% @ 62 for New PERS Members

Social Security (non-safety)

Vacation Based on Continued Years of Service

Sick Leave 15 Days Annually

Floating Holiday

457 Deferred Compensation

Credit Union

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program

Group Life Insurance

Additional Optional Life Insurances & AD&D

Tuition Reimbursement

01

I understand all County employees will be required to take an Oath of Office and will be called upon to act as Disaster Service Workers, when needed.

• Yes

02

Please be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. Your responses to the questions must be supported by both the work experience listed on your application as well as your resume. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on the eligible list. Answers such as "see resume" or "see above" will remove you from consideration. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental questionnaire responses.

• Yes
• No

03

What level of nursing education have you completed?

• Associates Degree in Nursing
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
• Master's Degree in Nursing
• Doctoral Degree in Nursing

04

How many years of experience do you have as a Mental Health Nurse I with San Benito County?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• More than 1 year

05

If you do not have experience with San Benito County, how many years of psychiatric nursing experience do you have in a public or certified private welfare or health agency?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years or more

06

In which of the following areas do you have experience? (Select all that apply.)

• None
• Social Services
• Counseling
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Emergency Medical Services

07

What is the current status of your Registered Nurse license issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing?

• I hold a valid and active RN license.
• I hold a valid RN license, but it is pending renewal.
• I am in the process of obtaining my RN license.
• I do not plan to obtain a Registered Nurse license.

08

Please provide the following information about your Registered Nurse license issued by the California State Board of Registered Nursing: • License Number: • Expiration Date:

Required Question

Closing Date/Time: 10/4/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• County of San Benito

• (831) 636-4000

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