Mental Health Worker - Outpatient Services

Are you interested in working in a fast-paced, challenging behavioral healthcare organization? Are you interested in a position that is rewarding and makes a difference in the lives of others? Do you like to be challenged and work in a setting that allows you to grow? Then Alvarado Parkway Institute wants to hear from you! 

Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is a free-standing psychiatric hospital in La Mesa, California with three Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Programs. Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) provides comprehensive adult inpatient behavioral health and addictive disorders services in a 66-bed hospital setting located in La Mesa, California. At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we are committed to improving the mental health and well-being of our community. Alvarado Parkway Institute in La Mesa is San Diego County's leading provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse care. API offers a variety of Outpatient Services designed to assist patients in functioning at the highest level. API provides Partial Hospitalization services and Intensive Outpatient services. These programs emphasize symptom management, community integration, and prevention of hospitalization or re-hospitalization. Value-added services enhance the patient's treatment experience. 

Alvarado Parkway Institute is currently seeking a qualified individual to join our outpatient team as a Mental Health Worker.   

The Mental Health Worker for the Outpatient Service Program in La Mesa provides direct patient care to adults with psychiatric disorders; to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and support the maintenance of therapeutic milieu.

You must complete an application online at our website to be considered for possible employment: https://apibhs.com/careers

Mental Health Worker Responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain good rapport and working relationships to foster intra and inter departmental communications necessary for the delivery of quality patient care.
• Responds to request from patients, families, and caregiver; and provides directions as necessary.
• Assist patients with all ADL care (Activities of Daily Living) when congruent.
• Documentation into Electronic Health Record as well as paper documentation.
• Maintain the confidentiality of patient (current and former) and organization information.
• Communicate pertinent information as necessary by telephone and/or writing.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to priorities in assignments.
• Perform routine assignments independently, seeking direction when required for unusual or non-routine duties.
• Help identify patients’ problems, needs, and strength.
• Responds to “Codes” in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Maintain equipment in safe working order. Reporting facility or equipment problems to supervisor(s) and/or Plant Operations staff.
• Participates in activities that enhance professional growth and development; attend all mandatory training as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by charge nurse within scope of practice.

Required Skills and Experience:

Knowledge of:

• Basic computer knowledge.
• Good understanding of the English language.
• Basic knowledge using audio-visual equipment.

Skills:

• High school level reading and writing skills.
• Have good oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent observation skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.

Ability to:

• Must be able to multi-task and prioritize work.
• Maintain highly confidential information.
• Ability to exercise self-control in potentially volatile situations, such as verbally or being physically confronted in a threatening or aggressive manner.
• Must be able to work and concentrate amidst distractions such as noise, conversations, and foot traffic.
• Ability to handle frequent interruptions.
• Must be flexible and not easily frustrated in dealing with differences of opinions.

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• One year of experience in related field and/or CNA.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for healthcare Providers issued by the American Heart Association.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• Experience working a behavioral health environment.
• Associate degree

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
• Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision sees details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Walk and/or stand for long periods of time (3/4 of the workday). 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Accident Insurance, Hospital plan & Critical Illness Plan
• Dental & Vision
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Referral Bonus Plan
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Legal Assistance Plan
• Life insurance
• Medical (Employee and dependent contributions)
• PDO (Paid Days Off)
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Sick time

Conditions of Employment

In compliance with API’s policies and guidelines, all API employees are required to adhere to the following:

Background/Reference Check & Licensure/Certification

• Completion of a satisfactory background and reference checks.
• Employee signed employment non-compete/confidentiality agreement
• Individuals whose position may require licensure, registration or certification must maintain such as current and valid. It is the employee's responsibility to send updated copies to Human Resources before the expiration date. It is the employee's responsibility to notify Human Resources of any changes or proposed changes in status to licensure, registration, or certification. Failure to do so could result in employee suspension.

Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations; Medical

• Provide a copy of COVID-19 Vaccination OR have an Exemption Request (Deferred Pregnancy, Medical, or Religious) approved by the API HR Director; and those who have an approved Exemption must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and observe all other infection control requirements, including face coverings.
• Annual Flu vaccination is required as a condition of hire and ongoing employment. Only those who are allergic to the vaccine or meet contraindications as indicated on the current CDC Vaccine Information Statement shall be exempt from this condition of hire and ongoing employment but are required to wear a mask while inside an API owned or operated building or vehicle during influenza season, Employees must provide physician documentation to support any reported allergy or contraindication. Flu season typically runs between November and March.
• Pass drug and alcohol test performed by Concentra.
• Clear TB skin test or Chest X-Ray at Concentra.
• Complete a satisfactory physical examination at Concentra designed solely to determine your ability to perform the duties of the position being offered. 

EEO Statement

API provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.