About API

Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is San Diego's leading provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse care. As a part of our Behavioral Healthcare system, API operates a free-standing 66 bed psychiatric hospital in La Mesa, California with three Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Programs. These programs emphasize symptom management, community integration, and prevention of hospitalization or re-hospitalization.

Alvarado Parkway Institute is currently seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Mental Health Worker.  Mental Health Workers provide direct patient care to adults with psychiatric disorders, report and document observations to the Registered Nurses, and complete safety checks/patient rounds 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

*Position requires availability for variable shifts and days including weekends.*

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.
• Assist patients with all ADL care (Activities of Daily Living)
• Assist patients in escalation situations and where special precaution is required such as (one-on-one-, and line of sight, seclusion, and restraints).
• Use of Electronic Health Record and Paper Chart Record in documentation of Patient information 
• Assist Nurses with patient admissions, discharges, and transfers. 
• Monitor safety of the patients by performing Q10 Rounds, Environmental Safety Checks, Behavioral changes, and report change in medical condition of patients to Nurses. 
• Perform Daily Routine Tasks to provide Patient Care such as Vitals, Weight checks, Input & Output monitoring, and meal percentage intake. 
• Respond to requests for information and/or assistance from patients, families, and caregivers.
• Communicate appropriately and clearly pertinent patient information as necessary by oral and/or written communication skills. 
• Perform routine assignments independently, seeking direction when required for unusual or non-routine duties. Recognize and respond appropriately to priorities in assignments.
• Responds to “Emergency 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.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Nurses within scope of practice.
• Encourage patients to attend recreational, community and/or program groups.
• Use of proper medical equipment to help with patient care such as wheelchair, Geri-chair, walker, mobilized bed, bedside commode, and transfer equipment. 

Mental Health Worker Required Education & Licenses

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers issued by the American Heart Association
• Must be able to multi-task and have great communication/observation skills.

Mental Health Worker Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Evident knowledge 
• One year of experience in related field and/or CNA.

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). 
• Lift up to fifteen (15) pounds.
• Exerting up to twenty (20) pounds.

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.