Have interview for mobile med worker for behavioral health center

[iwanna]

Tomorrow, I have an interview for a mobile med worker for a behavioral health center. Although, a nursing license is not required, I am still applying. My reasoning is that if I get my foot in the door, perhaps there will be a nursing position in the future.

I am an LPN. I worked in behavioral health for about 5 1/2 years. I have not worked in that area since 2004. Actually, I have not worked in much of nursing field at all. I was/am on disability. I worked a couple of very brief jobs that I didn't mention on my resume. Except for the immunization clinics which were only seasonal.

Anyways, I am looking for some quick review of meds. I do have members in my immediate family with mental illness. I know of many clients that will quit taking their meds.(my immediate family members) Do I mention that I am passionate about mental health field because of mental illness in my own family?

Also, I am over 50. Any tips?

[Davey Do]

iwanna:

Getting your "foot in the door" is always a good approach to a new area of employment. This type of action gives both you and your employer a chance to ascertain each other's potentialities.

Since you are already an LPN with experience with medications, you stand a better-than-the-average-bear chance of attaining your goal. Some review coupled with association of the newer psychotropics will be to your benefit.

5 1/2 years experience working in Mental Health is some good, solid grounding. To my recollection, no major new psychotropic medications have been developed or utilized. Abilify, as an antipsychotic, came into widespread use in the early 'aughts. Getcherself some sort of Psychiatric Medication Information. Then, "Recall and Associate".

Your point of clients not taking their medications is a valid one: Non-med compliance is one of the most common causes of inpatient hospital recidivism. Having both professional and personal experience with this type of occurrence could be interpretted as beneficial to a prospective employer.

Good luck in your endeavor, iwanna. Keep us posted on your progress.

Dave

[iwanna]

Thanks. It turns out the job was very per diem, meaning I may have work for awhile, then not get called for two or three months. It is just to make some extra money. Also, I found out that it was highly unlikely that I would get perm. hours out of it, as I would be last on the totem pole. I would be nurse number four on call. I am giving it some consideration. I won't be able to pay the rent with it; however, I am only looking for part-time work. It may work out as an addition to supplement my income.