MENTAL HEALTH LVN jobs in SoCal

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Specializes in school/home health/behavioral/prison.

My questions are concerning two subjects..

1)Where I can find a mental health job and

2)How much money to expect per hour as an LVN with 4 years exp.

I'm in the process of trxing my license to California and wondered when this is all said and done- about 8wks or so...where would someone suggest I look for mental health jobs as an LVN? And do I need to get another degree or something to pursue this? I have 4 years experience as a Behavioral health nurse and that is working with adults and adolescence as well as the geriatric populations.

I am confused a bit on that subject bc someone stated to me once that I need to be a Psych Tech? What is that all about? Here in ID. psych techs are CNA's and -not all of them have their CNA here. I do have 1 year of home health experience as well as 1 year of correctional experience. These other two positions were second jobs that I held while working at the psych/behavioral health facility.

Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated....I really want to continue to work in the mental health field.

Thank you!

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

I know Glendale Adventist is hiring LVNs right now for their psych unit. I applied and interviewed but they don't want new grads. Since you have experience in mental health I'm sure you'll have a better shot.

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I'm a Psych Tech in the State of California, we are not CNA's. Psych techs in the state of california can actually be Supervisors over LVN's in the Mental health field. My suggestion is Check out all of the state hospitals and the Prisons. I know as a Psych Tech are base pay is 4800 at the prisons and the state hospital is a couple hundred less than that. LVN's make a little bit less than a Psych tech, because we have more psych education.

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Specializes in school/home health/behavioral/prison.

Wow! That blows me away. Thank you for the info. I was really unaware of how things are out that way..

I thought my experience might actually be worth something like 25 an hour or more..especially for behavioral health but that was a rude awakening.;)

Anyway, I hope I can find at least 23 an hour somewhere out that way. What does it take I wonder, to become a psych tech? I wonder about the education difference.

Thank you so much...I'll have to look into this..I am very curious ..since here the extent of education required to be a psych tech is to be a CNA..and in a lot of cases here they don't require the CNA..and still make 13 to 14 an hour...a few dollars less than the typical LPN.

Once again,

Thanks so much for the info.

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Well as a Psych tech we take Fundamentals of Nursing, Developmental Disabilities, and Psychiatric Nursing. So the big difference is LVN's have the OB/PEDS class that Psych techs aren't required to take. You will definitely make 25 at least. But FYI the State hospitals and Prisons are always in desperate need of nurses so you will not have a hard time finding a job. Also the Registries pay pretty good too.

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Specializes in school/home health/behavioral/prison.

Nice!

Thank you ...

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Ibknow its been many years but can you yell me roughly what Glendale pays LVNs?

Thanks

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I'm an LVN who has 6 years psych tech in NC. Can I get licensed as a psych tech if I have a bachelor's in psychology?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I'm an LVN who has 6 years psych tech in NC. Can I get licensed as a psych tech if I have a bachelor's in psychology?

Check with the BVNPT:

Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians

Or specifically:

Psychiatric Technician Licensure Application Forms - Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians

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Thank you for the advice. I am a LVN who just moved back to CA. I also have degree in psych and a master's in counseling. I was a psych tech in NC working under a CNA and LVN license. I am hoping that they will grant me a psych tech license. Hopefully they can find something in all my education that would apply. I really enjoy psych. Again, I appreciate you telling me which courses would be needed.

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Does anyone know roughly how much Glendale Adventist pays? Looking for a 12 hour position in mental health.

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