Lead Licensed Vocational Nurse

Position Title: Licensed Vocational Nurse, Lead

Program/Dept: Psychiatric Services

Reports to: Chief Clinical Officer

Classification: Regular, Full time, non-exempt

Salary: $43+ & Benefits

Monday - Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

About Us: Caminar is a leading behavioral health organization that supports youth and adults across multiple counties in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Caminar builds strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment, and wrap-around services delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care. Founded in 1964, Caminar's vision is to be a beacon of safety, compassion, and fulfillment, supporting all those in our communities who need it most. Our mission is to build strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care.

Caminar values diversity. People of all races, ethnicities, countries of origin, faiths, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome here. To learn more, please visit

Position Summary: Under supervision and direction of the agency Medical Director, the Lead Licensed Vocational Nurse (Lead LVN) is responsible for assisting clients with their psychiatric care needs. This leader is a key member of the outpatient psychiatric teams that support clients in the following Caminar mental health programs: 1) case management programs for clients living with serious mental illness (SMI) based out a clinic in Redwood City, CA; and 2) outpatient programs for clients living with mild to moderate mental health issues based out of a clinic in San Jose, CA. This role includes supervision of clinic LVN staff, coordination of care workflows, and partnership with case managers, psychiatrists, and therapists to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care for clients. Care is provided primarily in the medication clinics in Redwood City and San Jose and/or in the community.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Act as the point of contact for day-to-day nursing team operations, providing guidance, coaching, and scheduling support.
• Oversee medication management processes, including proper medication storage, medication ordering, inventory control, and compliance with all safety protocols.
• Provide leadership in onboarding new nurse team members and training new LVN staff.
• Serve as a liaison between the administrative and nursing teams to address clinical workflow, compliance, safety, and client care concerns.
• Comply with all policies and procedures of Caminar and the medication clinics to ensure optimal pharmaceutical and client care services.
• Attend and actively participate in team and interdisciplinary agency meetings, communicating observations of client medication compliance and response to medications.
• Attend trainings as assigned, as well as medication update in-service trainings
• Actively communicate and effectively partner with interdisciplinary teams (e.g. administrative assistants, therapists, psychiatrists, case managers) in support of client needs.
• Triage communication from clients to appropriate parties (e.g. treating Psychiatrist), utilizing clinical knowledge within scope of practice to resolve client concern.
• Communicate in a timely manner changes of client medication orders to the pharmacy and treatment team.
• Maintain accurate clinical records including uploading important clinical documents to the medical record (electronic medical record).
• Maintain client and records confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA standards.
• Meet documentation and billing standards set by county standards, Medi-Cal, and Caminar.
• Provide oversight of each LVN's service documentation and billing practices; helping them to submit services correctly and correcting performance when needed.
• Communicate with retail pharmacies about client medication needs, medication clarification, billing questions, etc.
• Communicate with insurance plans if client prescription requires Treatment Authorization based on prescription.
• Assist Psychiatrists with submitting necessary treatment authorization records to insurance and follow up with progress by contacting insurance company.
• Perform all job functions in cooperation with the supervisor, other staff on the team, and other service providers involved in the treatment effort, including sharing information regarding all important interventions.
• Administer medications as ordered by psychiatrists, including long-lasting injections, and assist clients in scheduling medication related appointments.
• Complete focused assessments in monitoring response to psychiatric (and other) medications.
• Support and assist maintenance of client personal health, including attainment of and follow through with medical, psychiatric, and dental care.
• Provide individual clients with medication education, as necessary.
• Facilitate and monitor client compliance with labs/blood work ordered by psychiatrists and community physicians.
• Participate in treatment planning and implementation of services to provide support for client medication compliance.
• Drive own or agency vehicle to main office, meetings, and other venues, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times.
• Provide nursing assessments and care in the community, including medication adherence assistance and liaison with community care providers as outlined in department policies and procedures and the Nurse Practice Act, as needed (frequency to be determined by Supervisor).
• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.
• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency's own Health & Safety Program.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission
• Active California LVN license in good standing
• Must reside in the San Francisco Bay area in a location commutable to both Redwood City and San Jose, CA.
• Minimum of 5 years demonstrated work experience in a behavioral health or outpatient setting
• Direct experience treating clients with SMI preferred; Knowledge of social rehabilitation is preferred.
• At least 3 years of experience directing supervising LVNs and nursing functions in an outpatient or community health setting
• Strong understanding of psychiatric medications and mental health diagnoses
• Proficiency with electronic health records
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a cross-functional team.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Human Service Information Systems is strongly preferred. Experience with web-based time and attendance and staff training and development system strongly preferred.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and always represent the organization in a positive manner.
• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
• Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Oral and written communication — speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.
• Quality management — looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Planning/organizing — prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Adaptability — adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events.
• Dependability — is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security — actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects.

Position Requirements:

• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs., and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.

Essential Requirements:

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
• This position may require limited, occasional, or frequent driving. If required, a valid California driver's license, a reliable personal vehicle, and current personal auto insurance is required by law. In addition, an MVR sufficient to obtain and maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.
• Must be able to pass post-offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• If applicable, a personal cell phone with reliable service and a data plan to use for business purposes.
• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.

We've Got You Covered

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Health coverage choices to fit you and your family's needs. A zero-cost option for employee only and generous contributions to employee and dependent premiums.

Flexible Spending Account

Receive tax savings on out-of-pocket health care costs.

Employee Wellness Program

We'll reimburse you for a portion of your gym/fitness dues.

Life, Long-term Disability, and AD&D Insurance

Provided at no cost to our full-time employees. Includes an option to purchase additional life coverage for both employees and dependents. \

Paid Time Off

We offer thirteen paid holidays and a generous sick and vacation benefit.

401(K) Retirement Savings Plan

We offer options for both pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) contributions.

The plan also offers an employer match on eligible employee deferrals at one year of service.

Commuter Benefits

Commuting to work each day can be expensive. Receive tax savings on your commuting costs

Employee Assistance Program

For whatever issue you might face, our Life Assistance Program offers free, confidential assistance at no cost to you.

Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented behavioral health services and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our team. Please visit our web site at
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