Position Title:Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

Program/Dept:Family & Children Services – A Division of Caminar - Psychiatric Services

Reports to:Clinic Manager

Classification:Regular, Full Time, Non-Exempt

Salary Range:$41 an hour + Full Benefits Package

Agency Description:Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar’s thriving programs and services serve more than 14,000 individuals annually across San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, and Butte Counties. Our nonprofit organization’s portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. And we are expanding our capacity to address the increasingly complex needs of individuals and families.

Position Description:Under supervision and direction of the regional Clinic Manager (Registered Nurse), the Licensed Vocational Nurse is responsible for assisting clients in the Medication Clinic with their psychiatric care needs. Care is provided primarily in the Caminar Medication Clinics and/or in the community. Services are intended to provide stabilization and increased independence for clients with serious mental illness leading to positive clinical outcomes.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Comply with all policies and procedures of Caminar and the medication clinic to ensure optimal pharmaceutical and client care services.
• Attend and actively participate in team and interdisciplinary agency meetings, communicating observations of client medication compliance and response to medications.
• Attend trainings as assigned, as well as medication update in-service trainings
• Active communication with interdisciplinary teams (e.g. administrative assistants, therapists) in support of client needs.
• Triage communication from clients to appropriate parties (e.g. treating Psychiatrist), utilizing clinical knowledge within scope of practice to resolve client concern.
• Communicate in a timely manner changes of client medication orders to the pharmacy and treatment team.
• Maintain accurate clinical records including uploading important clinical documents to the medical record (electronic medical record).
• Maintain client and records confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA standards.
• Meet documentation and billing standards set by county standards, MediCal, and Caminar.
• Communicate with retail pharmacies about client medication needs, medication clarification, billing questions, etc.
• Communicate with insurance plans if client prescription requires Treatment Authorization based on prescription.
• Assist Psychiatrists with submitting necessary treatment authorization records to insurance and follow up with progress by contacting insurance company.
• Perform all job functions in cooperation with the supervisor, other staff on the team, and other service providers involved in the treatment effort, including sharing information regarding all important interventions.

• Administer medications as ordered by psychiatrists, including long-lasting injections, and assist clients scheduling medication related appointments.
• Complete focused assessments in monitoring response to psychiatric (and other) medications.
• Support and assist maintenance of client personal health, including attainment of and follow through with medical, psychiatric, and dental care.
• Provide individual clients with medication education, as necessary.
• Facilitate and monitor client compliance with labs/blood work ordered by psychiatrists and community physicians.
• Participate in treatment planning and implementation of services to provide support for client medication compliance.
• Drive own or agency vehicle to main office, meetings, and other venues, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times.
• Provide nursing assessments and care in the community, including medication adherence assistance and liaison with community care providers as per department policies and procedures and Nurse Practice Act, as needed (frequency to be determined by Supervisor).
• Promote within the agency and with the general public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.
• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Requirements, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• California license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Psychiatric Technician.
• Minimum one year of demonstrated work experience with SMI/DD is preferred; Knowledge of social rehabilitation is preferred.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Human Service Information Systems strongly preferred. Experience with web based time and attendance and staff training and development system strongly preferred.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.
• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
• Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.

• Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects.

Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements:

• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs, and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
• This position requires occasional driving. A valid California driver license, reliable personal vehicle, current personal auto insurance as required by law, and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.
• Must be able to pass post-offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.

We've Got You Covered

Medical, Dental, and Vision
Health coverage choices to fit you and your family’s needs. A zero-cost option for employee only and generous contributions to employee and dependent premiums.

Flexible Spending Account
Receive tax savings on out-of-pocket health care costs.

Employee Wellness Program
We’ll reimburse you for a portion of your gym/fitness dues.

Life, Long-term Disability, and AD&D Insurance
Provided at no cost to our full-time employees. Includes an option to purchase additional life coverage for both employees and dependents.

Paid Time Off
We offer twelve paid holidays and a generous sick and vacation benefit.

401(K) Retirement Savings Plan
We offer options for both pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) contributions. 
 The plan also offers an employer match on eligible employee deferrals at one year of service.

Commuter Benefits
Commuting to work each day can be expensive. Receive tax savings on your commuting costs!

Employee Assistance Program
 For whatever issue you might face, our Life Assistance Program offers free, confidential assistance at no cost to you.

Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services. We are an equal opportunity employer. Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org