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.
