County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction of the Medical Director or Pharmacy Director, assists in the planning, organizing, operation and monitoring of the delivery of medical support programs for Behavioral Health Care Services; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

An incumbent in the class of Medical Support Coordinator coordinates a variety of medical support services within Behavioral Health Care Services. In contrast to incumbents in the classification of Clinical Nurse or Clinical Nurse Specialist, the incumbent in this classification is a Registered Nurse who performs primarily an administrative, teaching and coordinating role in a number of different areas.

Incumbents in this class are distinguished from the clinical nurse series by the fact that their work is administrative in nature and involves minimal, if any, direct patient care. It is further distinguished from Clinical Nurse Specialist in that the former does not require in-depth, specialized knowledge, expertise and training required of the Clinical Nurse Specialist.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

WHEN EMPLOYED AS THE:

Psychotropic Medication Coordinator:

1. Identifies potential medication interventions and initiates physician dialogue regarding findings.

2. Coordinates all atypical anti-psychotic medication activity, as directed, within Behavioral Health Care Services (contracted and County operated, inpatient and outpatient).

3. Maintains the clozapine database for pharmacy services, Conservator’s Office and Clozapine Monitoring Committee on a quarterly basis.

4. Assists the Pharmacy Director in development and coordination of continuing medical education accredited activities.

5. Assists the Pharmacy Director in the provision of medication education under the auspices of the system-wide Med Ed program.

6. Under the direction of the Pharmacy Director, coordinates the medically indigent application process, database maintenance and medication distribution.

7. Under the direction of the Pharmacy Director, provides support for medication distribution and maintenance throughout BHCS programs, network pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefits Manager.

Depot Anti-Psychotic Medication Coordinator:


1. As directed, identifies BHCS patients whose clinical history and total system-wide cost appear to be related to oral medication non-compliance.

2. Develops and coordinates a program that recommends and monitors the use of depot medication for the purpose of improving patient compliance and clinical stability while lowering system-wide costs.

3. Works directly with ACCESS to facilitate service team assignments for patients either already receiving depot medication or identified as potentially benefiting from it.

4. Works directly with inpatient and criminal justice facilities to identify patients whose history indicates a potential benefit from depot medication use.

5. Works directly with inpatient and outpatient medical staff and patients to educate and encourage greater awareness of the benefits of depot medication.

Nursing Support Services Coordinator:

1. Develops, implements and clinically monitors a coordinated program of nursing support services at service team sites.

2. Monitors the quality of nursing support services being provided at service team sites.

3. Provides an ongoing analysis of the nursing support needs of the various service teams with recommendations, as indicated, to the Medical Director.

4. Provides assistance to service team nurses, as indicated, to ensure the continuity of patient medical needs provision as they are admitted from or discharged to 24-hour facilities.

5. Develops, coordinates and as needed, participates in a system of service team nursing coverage/backup.

6. Represents both nursing support personnel and the Office of the Medical Director on various BHCS committees

Physical Health/Behavioral Health Coordinator:

1. Assists the Medical Director in enhancing already existing primary care resources and in developing new ones for BHCS patients with physical health needs.

2. Assists the Medical Director in enhancing already existing primary care resources and in developing new ones for BHCS patients whose psychotropic medication regimens no longer require specialty care and may be prescribed and monitored by primary care physicians.

3. Works with service team medical personnel to identify patients well stabilized on psychotropic medications and capable of being treated in other settings, assisting with transfers as indicated.

4. Monitors level and quality of BHCS/Primary Care contacts, assisting BHCS medical personnel in streamlining referral procedures and resolving problems as they develop.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full-time paid experience in the field of outpatient mental health.

AND
License:

Possession of a license to practice in the State of California as a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Modern office practices including computer applications such as Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint and familiarity with Internet use.
• Nursing principles and practices, with particular emphasis on psychiatric nursing.
• Psychiatric medications.
• Outpatient and inpatient medical practices.


Ability to:

• Organize and prioritize work.
• Work well with others.
• Solve problems and make decisions.
• Prepare written reports.
• Analyze problems and make independent decisions.
• Follow written and verbal instructions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BG:pf 12/22/00
Newspec: 5082.doc
Csc date: 1/31/01

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.