ASSOC ACUTE CARE II - LPT/LVN

Dignity Health Medical Foundation, established in 1993, is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation with care centers throughout California. Dignity Health Medical Foundation is an affiliate of Dignity Health, one of the largest health systems in the nation, with hospitals and care centers in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Today, Dignity Health Medical Foundation works hand-in-hand with physicians and providers throughout California to provide comprehensive health care services to the many communities we serve. As Dignity Health Medical Foundation continues to grow and establish new premier care centers, we provide increasing support and investment in the latest technologies, finest physicians, and state-of-the-art medical facilities. We strive to create purposeful work settings where staff can provide great care, while advancing in knowledge and experience, through challenging work assignments and stimulating relationships. Our staff is well-trained and highly skilled -- qualities that are vital to maintaining excellence in care and service.

This position supports the psychiatrists providing a basic level of medication triage and support services to behaviorally disordered adults and children who are patients of the Private Side of the Behavioral Health Department.

Under the supervision of the Supervisor Private Side and in consultation with the Physician Manager and independent contractor psychiatrists, the LPT or LVN will:

• utilize excellent customer service skills to provide triage and initial screening by telephone
• evaluate and respond to medication refill requests under the direction of licensed providers
• participate in the development of treatment plans
• observe/listen to patient interactions
• record interventions in the medical record
• request prior authorization for medications
• refer patients or initiate charitable care special assistance applications
• write correspondence addressing medication/treatment related concerns
• administer injections
• manage the psychiatrists cancellation lists schedule and cancel patient appointments
• attend and participate in staff and in-service training meetings.

This position is an integral member of the care management team supporting quality medication management and clinical problem solving functions in concert with the other medical staff and psychiatrists. Depending upon the current staffing mix the LPT may supervise an MA or trainee if the Supervisor is not on site. This position will use independent judgment to gather needed information and provide support to the MDs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Able to perform representative duties of the Acute Care Specialist, Licensed Acute Care Specialist, and BH Administrative Support Representative job descriptions.
• Respond to patient pharmacy or MD requests for information that come by electronically by phone or fax.
• Answer and clear phone messages to accurately record patients voice mail messages and determine appropriate triage response.
• Check electronic task bucket and fax machine regularly for pharmacy refills and triage appropriately.
• Maintain effective communication with patients.
• If necessary call patient back to complete information needed prior to LPT/MD intervention.
• Prepare all information necessary for requests requiring LPT/MD intervention.
  • This includes: Gather/import relevant chart information for each patient requiring intervention.
  • Check and log appointment status prescription refill status frequency of refills of controlled substances and missed appointment history.
  • Pull/request any lab data or other relevant loose paperwork to be considered.
  • Prioritize cases for handling.
  • Develop initial treatment handling recommendation using independent judgment and considering patients appointment and cancellation history medications and problems past behavior risk for deterioration and other factors.
  • For uncomplicated refill requests, get MD sign-off or verbal order and phone/fax refill request to the pharmacy.
  • Fax MD special assistance requests to pharmacies.
  • Monitor and report patient response to medication treatment for high-risk or other designated categories of patients.
  • Make appropriate referrals for inpatient hospitalization when needed for patient safety.
  • Monitor and report patient response to medication treatment for high-risk or other designated categories of patients.
  • Make appropriate referrals for inpatient hospitalization when needed for patient safety.
  • After MD completes service or when specified new medications are initiated at MDs direction, call patient to confirm requested service has been completed.
  • Keep medication records and progress reports.
  • Record all key interactions in patient chart adhering to documentation standards and policies.
  • Initiate patient assistance applications for pharmaceutical company courtesy prescriptions.
  • Write jury duty and other letters using templates and office procedures and secure appropriate sign-offs.
  • Collaborate with front office staff to assure back up is available if LPT or other staff is away for scheduled or unscheduled absence.
  • Perform patient education that may include facilitating medication support groups orientation of patients to system policies and practices and developing and disseminating relevant patient education and instruction sheets.

This position may have access to third party credit card information and transnational systems (cash registers point of sale devices applications supporting credit card transactions and reports or other documents containing credit card information) from single transactions or a single card at a time.

Driving is required for this position.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• LPT - Minimum of one year experience with care of psychiatric patients. OR LVN - Minimum of 3 years experience and demonstrated ability to engage with patients with behavioral problems.
• High School Diploma or equivalent. Successful completion of an accredited LPT or LVN program.
• Current unrestricted California licensure as a Psychiatric Technician or LVN.
• Current BLS through American Heart Association
• CA Driver License
• Ability to identify signs and symptoms of toxic and extra pyramidal reactions.
• Ability to evaluate and participate in decisions regarding consequences and boundaries for maladaptive behaviors.
• Ability to administer injections.
• Ability to work effectively with the public and colleagues, including being customer service- and detail-oriented and desiring to work closely with team members to ensure quality patient care.
• Ability to use the computer to support scheduling and word processing functions as needed.
• Ability to give and follow oral and written instructions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to write effectively, both for patient record and patient education functions.
• Ability to efficiently plan and organize own work and that of any supervisee to effectively support 3-6 full and part-time psychiatrists.

***This position is represented by SEIU-UHW