LVNs & LPTs in children / youth Psychiatric Assessment and Stabilization Center

Seeking licensed psychiatric technicians (LPTs) & licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) for the Children/Youth Psychiatric Assessment and Stabilization Center.

New Alternatives, Inc. – San Diego, CA

Pay: $28.00-30.00 per hour, based on shift, experience, language skills, and education

-Are you looking for rewarding work helping children and youth?

-Are you interested in working with a passionate, dynamic, supportive, dedicated team of mental health aids, clinicians, nurses, and psychiatrists?

-12 hour shifts, FT and PT available (full benefits available for 30 hours a week!!)

-No travel!

-No shift work-children /youth are generally discharged within 24-48 hours

Here is what we offer our LPTs & LVNs!!

-Excellent Health Insurance for employees, partners, and dependents with low co-payments

-Dental Insurance (PPO available) for employees, partners, and dependents with low co-payments

-Paid time off

-403B plan

-Flexible schedules

-Training

-Upward mobility

-Discounted gym memberships

Pay: $28.00-30.00 per hour, based on shift, experience, language skills, and education

New Alternatives, Inc. (NAI) is a large non-profit agency in San Diego and Orange County providing mental health services to the most vulnerable youth in the county. NAI operates residential programs, outpatient/crisis/behavioral programs, emergency/crisis programs, THP-TAY programs and foster family programs.

The Emergency Screening Unit (ESU) is an outpatient clinic with a CSU (Crisis

Stabilization Unit) designation. ESU has been the only screening and assessment LPS facility for youth in an acute psychiatric crisis in the county since 1995. Our psychiatric nurses work with youth in crisis by providing mental health care to children who are experiencing a mental health crisis, such as suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or psychosis. This program is a county-contracted program and is a 12-bed crisis stabilization unit centrally located in Hillcrest, CA. Our team of MDs, RNs, LVNs/LPTs, Clinicians, and Mental Health Aids serve youth and families in crisis while working to stabilize the crisis and discharge them to the lowest level of care possible.

LPT/ LVN duties:

1. Assessing Patients: The LPT/LVN will conduct an initial assessment of the child, including an evaluation of their mental and physical health, medical history, and any medication they are taking. They will also assess the child's current mental state and identify any symptoms of a mental health crisis.

2. Developing Discharge Plans: Based on the assessment, the LPT/LVN will work with ESU MDs, the child, and their family to develop a plan that addresses the child's mental health needs. The plan may include medication, therapy, and other referrals for outpatient services that will address the mental health needs post-discharge. This discharge plan may also be coordinating a transfer to an inpatient bed for higher-level treatment

3. Monitoring Medications: If the child is prescribed medication, the team will monitor their medication regimen. They will also monitor the child for any side effects or adverse reactions to the medication as well as assess for any emergency meds necessary

4. Collaborating with Other Healthcare Professionals: The LPT/LVN will work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists, to ensure that the child receives comprehensive and coordinated care.

5. Crisis Intervention: The LPT/LVN may also provide crisis intervention services, such as responding to suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors.

6. Education: The LPT/LVN will educate the child and their family about mental health

conditions, treatment options, and coping strategies.

7. Documentation: The LPT/LVN will maintain detailed records of the child's treatment and progress, including assessments, treatment plans, and interventions.

8. Other duties as assigned

-Candidates must be licensed in California as a LVN or LPT. Experience with youth in-crisis preferred.

- As a 24/7 program, the days/hours vary. The available shifts may include 10 or 12-hour workdays to achieve full time benefits. Weekend and overnight shifts available!!

- Per diem LVNs/LPTs are required to work at least 1 shift every 4 weeks to remain on-staff but we prefer a consistent weekly shift as we do not utilize a rotating schedule.

Here is what some ESU team members have said about working at ESU:

“For me, the thing that I value the most in working at ESU and made me stay all these years is the feeling that you are not just an employee, you are part of the family, you are a partner!”

~ESU RN since 2015

“I’ve worked other places and ESU is so organized and has so much built-in support from Admin.” ~ESU RN since 2018