Rakesh Chand

To find a challenging position to meet my competencies, capabilities, skills, education and experience.

Registered Nurse - Department of State Hospital

(2023-05)

Provide high-quality, patient-centered nursing care to adults with co-occurring medical and psychiatric needs on a fast-paced acute psychiatric hospital medical-surgical floor. Integrate clinical expertise, therapeutic communication, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to promote safety, stabilization, recovery, and discharge planning.

• Assess physical and mental health status, document findings, and develop individualized care plans.
• Monitor vital signs, administer medications (including psychotropic and PRN meds), manage IVs, wounds, and catheters.
• Identify and respond to changes in condition, execute crisis intervention, and implement detoxification or medical stabilization protocols as ordered.
• Perform med administration reconciliation, ensure proper storage, and monitor for adverse drug reactions.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments, risk assessments (self-harm, aggression, suicidality), and milieu management.
• Employ de-escalation techniques, therapeutic communication, and specialized de-arrest strategies in collaboration with security and psychiatry.
• Implement evidence-based psychiatric care plans, behavioral interventions, and trauma-informed care approaches.
• Develop and implement safety plans, seclusion/restraint precautions per policy, and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
• Adhere to infection control procedures, safe lift/transfer techniques, and accurate documentation to support accreditation standards.
• Monitor for evolving medical emergencies (stroke, MI, sepsis) and initiate rapid response as needed.
• Review orders, calculate dosages, verify allergies, and educate patients and families about medications.
• Administer psychotropic and somatic medications, monitor for adverse effects, and ensure timely PRN dosing.
• Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, and case managers to coordinate care.
• Develop and implement discharge plans, coordinate follow-up appointments, community resources, and caregiver education.
• Facilitate transitions to inpatient psychiatry, inpatient medical units, or alternative levels of care as clinically indicated.
• Document assessments, care plans, interventions, and outcomes in electronic health records (EHR) accurately and promptly.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, privacy standards, and facility policies; participate in audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Complete incident reports, root-cause analyses, and safety drills as required.
• Educate patients and families about diagnosis, treatment plans, symptom management, and post-discharge resources.
• Provide health promotion, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and stress-management guidance tailored to psychiatric and medical needs.
• Participate in daily huddles, unit rounds, and interdisciplinary care planning meetings.
• Mentor and educate newly hired staff, students, and peers; engage in continuing education to maintain licensure and specialty competencies.
• Participate in research or evidence-based practice initiatives to improve patient outcomes.

Forensic Psychologist - Madera County Behavioral Health - Madera, CA

(2021-05 - 2023-03)

• Assess the physical, functional, social, psychological, environmental, learning and financial needs of patients.
• Identify problems, goals and interventions designed to meet patient's needs, including prioritized goals that consider the patient/caregivers goals, preferences and desired level of involvement in the case management plan.
• Create a care plan including objectives, goals and actions designed to meet patient's needs.
• Provide appropriate interventions which demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity toward cultural diversity and religious, developmental, health literacy, and educational backgrounds of the population served.
• Utilize interpreter services per policy.
• Assess the patient's formal and informal support systems, including caregiver resources and involvement as well as available benefits and/or community resources.
• Implement and monitor the care plan to ensure the effectiveness and appropriateness of services.
• Evaluate patient's progress toward goal achievement, including identification and evaluation of barriers to meeting or complying with case management plan of care, and systematically reassess for changes in goals and/or health status.
• Research alternative treatment options and selecting and locating appropriate providers which can include facilitation of referrals.
• Communicate with primary care physicians and members of the comprehensive care team regarding status of patient.
• Utilize motivational interviewing skills to build patient engagement in case management plan of care.
• Provide education, information, direction, and support related to care goals of patients.
• Act as a patient advocate and assist with problem solving and addressing any barriers to care or compliance with care plan.
• Coordinate care and develop treatment plans.
• Provide referrals to appropriate community resources; facilitate access and communication when multiple services are involved; monitor activities to ensure that services are being delivered and meet the needs of the patient, coordinate services to avoid duplication.
• Maintain accurate patient records and patient confidentiality.
• Measure outcomes and effectiveness of case management including clinical, financial, quality of life and patient/family satisfaction.
• Engage in professional development activities to keep abreast of case management practices and patient engagement strategies.
• Facilitate disease prevention and health promotion with patients and families.
• Identify risk factors and teach patients a clear pathway of response to identified triggers.
• Promote patient and family responsibility and self-management.
• Document all relevant information following department policy guidelines.
• Maintain knowledge of operational procedures and case management program components.
• Promote chronic disease management concepts, health screening and preventive health initiatives for targeted patients.

Psychologist - California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation - California State Prison - Corcoran, CA

(2016-04 - 2021-01)

• Program development of both in and outpatients.
• Treatment Planning.
• Quality Management.
• Multidisciplinary Training.
• Conduct assessments and Suicide Risk Assessment training.
• Provide individual psychotherapy sessions for clients (Psychodynamic/Gestalt/Cognitive & Behavioral Orientations).
• Provide crisis intervention (e.g., for maladaptive behaviors, suicide attempts, and/or homicide attempts).
• Case Management load of 100+ clients (Maximum security inmates with mental illness).
• Conduct assessments and write psychological evaluations for courts.
• Provide expert witness testimony for judicial system.
• Provide individual psychotherapy sessions for clients.

Program Director - La Casa Adult Day Health Care Center - Salinas, CA

(2013-01 - 2015-12)

• Provide staff with training and development for their better understanding of the challenges that they face while working with the developmentally disabled individuals and adults with dementia and mental illness.
• Responsible for delivering the best quality of patient care.
• Leadership while creating a positive and productive culture.
• Setting and following standards for operational excellence.
• Implement clinical procedure and policy.
• Safeguard required compliance with State, Federal and CMS regulations as well as health care policies.
• Develop a relationship with outside organizations, including the medical community, referring physicians, and the media.
• Deliver strong financial performance.
• Responsible for developing training programs for professional employees.

Program Director - Monterey Peninsula Wisdom Adult Day Care Health Center - Salinas, CA

(2010-05 - 2012-12)

• Provide a program of services and support to impaired adult clients and their caregivers.
• Coordinate the development, implementation, marketing and quality assurance processes of the health care programs.
• Responsible for the recruitment, training and retention of qualified personnel to provide the services required by Adult Day Health Care.
• Interview and assess prospective clients to determine if their specific needs can be met by program services.
• Make admission decisions based upon client assessment.

Master of Science - Nursing - PMHNP - Walden University (2026-04)

Doctor of Psychology - Clinical Psychology - Walden University (2013-05)

Master of Business Administration - Executive MBA - New York Institute of Technology (2007-08)

Bachelor of Science - Nursing - Fiji National University (1995-04)