NEEDED: HEALTH TECHNICIANS

LOCATION: 795 Willow Road, Building 347, Menlo Park, California 94025

HOURS: 40 hours per week,

SCHEDULE: Usually evenings (3:30 PM – Midnight) and/or nights, different hours and weekend hours may be needed to accommodate program needs

QUALIFICATION:

• Shall meet or exceed recognized National Standards as established by the Joint Commission and shall perform the services in accordance with the ethical, professional, and technical standards of the VA.
• Shall perform services in accordance with ethical, professional, and technical standards of the healthcare industry consistent with VA policy, regulations, procedures and protocol.
• Be technically proficient in the skills necessary to fulfill the requirements stated herein including the ability to understand, speak, read and write the English language.

EDUCATION: Certification in Addiction Studies and/or Certification in Drug and Alcohol Counseling strongly desired but not required.

EXPERIENCE: At least 1-year experience working with homeless individuals and/or individuals with substance use disorders (SUD).

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: Shall have or possess:

• Knowledge of behavior patterns common to persons who have experienced homelessness and/or to persons diagnosed with a SUD.
• Ability to work with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing individual, group, and family counseling skills.
• Knowledge of patients' rights particularly in the area of confidentiality and release of information.
• Knowledge of counseling techniques and their application in rehabilitation.
• Must have knowledge and understanding of problems common to SUDs and/or homelessness.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, and
• representatives of community agencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
• Basic skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking.
• Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VA (e.g. Computerized Patient Record
• System, Mental Health Suite, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Vista, Excel, etc.)
• Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other
• governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
• Meets the needs of customers while supporting the VA mission.
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the consumer constructively and appropriately.

PATIENTS: Ages of 18-80 years of age.

• Ability to possess or develop an understanding of the particular needs of these types of patients.
• Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age, developmental requirements,
• and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved.
• Takes into consideration age-related differences of the various Veteran populations served.
• Young adults (20-40), in general, have normal physical functions and lifestyles. They will establish relationships with significant others and are competent to relate to others.
• Middle-age people (40-65) are those who may have physical problems and may have changes in lifestyles because children have left home or there is a change in occupation goals.
• Older adults (65-75) are those who may be adapting to retirement and changing physical abilities. Chronic illnesses may also develop.
• Middle-older adults (75-85) are those who may be adapting to the decline in speed of movement,
• reaction time and sensory abilities. Also, these individuals may have an increased need to depend on others.
• Old Adults (85 and over) are those with increasing physical problems.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Will be oriented to the program and Domiciliary Service by reviewing program information, shadowing existing program staff, reviewing Domiciliary Service Policies and Procedures, and through participation on the interdisciplinary treatment teams.
• Direct Client Care.: HTs will facilitate or co-facilitate the daily community meeting and/or evening community meeting depending on work schedule.
• Will facilitate or co-facilitate clinical groups and classes, using the existing class format, on topics such as communication skills, problem solving, relapse prevention, 12-step facilitation, process groups, and emotion regulation.
• Will be assigned group(s) to co-facilitate based on program need and clinical expertise
• Will carry a caseload of Veterans or assist clinical staff with case management at the
• discretion of the program manager.
• Treatment Team Participation: HTs will attend all required staff meetings, including daily staff meetings, case manager meetings, and monthly service meetings.
• Documentation: HTs will complete all required clinical documentation. Typical documentation includes treatment progress notes, treatment plans, notes indicating treatment plan change, and other clinical notes as needed.
• Will complete daily pass down log for his/her shifts. This includes the pertinent medical and clinical information from a particular shift.
• Program Evaluation/Program Development: May assist with data entry and data collection in support of compliance with all accrediting bodies (e.g. Joint Commission, CARF) and VA policy and procedures.
• Other Program Responsibilities/Shift Specific Responsibilities: HTs will complete all other duties required of Domiciliary Residential Staff.
• Specific duties include but are not limited to: Completing building rounds per program policy, conducting observed urine drug screens, transporting urine drug screens to the lab for processing, conducting room searches for contraband per program policy, conducting safety drills for community residents and staff per program policy, and submitting work orders to address building maintenance issues.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive hourly pay rate
• Accrued vacation
• Accrued sick leave
• 11 paid Federal holidays
• 401K opportunity
• Healthcare Benefits contribution

SERIOUS CANDIDATES SHOULD SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

• Professional Resume
• Professional License or Certification
• Basic Life Support (BLS / CPR) certification