SHELLA THORSON
Calipatria
Summary
Compassionate Licensed Psychiatric Technician with over thirty years of experience in the substance abuse and mental health treatment industry. Offering counseling, rapport-building and communication skills with clients and from di verse backgrounds. Known for having a positive attitude and consistently exceeding performance standards. Licensed Psychiatric Technician with over thirty years of experience in the substance abuse and mental health treatment industry. Offering excellent counseling, rapport-building and communication skills with clients from diverse backgrounds. Known for having a positive attitude and consistently exceeding performance standards.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Licensed Psychiatric Technician
Telecare Corporation
05.2023 - Current
- Conducting nurse to nurse calls within contracted hospitals for patients that meet criteria for admission or notifying Physician for medical clearance/denial when indicated.
- Interviewing patients upon arrival to obtain information to be relayed to provider.
- Gathering collateral information from family/friends when release of information was obtained to aid in effective avenues of treatment.
- Interviewed clients that walk up for mental health evaluations for voluntary or 5150 holds.
- Delivers compassionate patient care, focusing on safety, comfort and emotional support.
- Supported patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Participated in patient education, helping to reinforce concepts and treatment plans.
- Assessed patient progress and reported changes to supervising physician.
- Conducted medication administration and counting and pouring medications.
- Conducts nightly audits of charts for medication orders and medication administration documentation.
- Administers medication as ordered.
Psychiatric Technician/Senior Psychiatric Technician
Calipatria State Prison, CAL
06.2009 - 06.2021
- Completed initial intake interviews for inmates being moved to Administrative Segregation and checked records to identify anyone who had a history of mental health issues.
- Initiated referrals to mental health for inmates at risk for mental health issues while in segregated housing.
- Interacted with inmates assisting with building healthy coping skills.
- Educated inmate/patients on medication and side effects
- Counseled and mentored clients on substance use and life choices.
- Monitored Inmate patients during daily rounds for any changes in baseline behaviors and/or need for mental health referrals.
- Administered medication in accordance with applicable standards and policies.
- Audits of both medication administration and charting for Psychiatric Technicians working in ASU.
Senior Psychiatric Technician
Patton State Hospital
01.2007 - 06.2009
- Conducted interviews with new patients that were admitted due to a PC1370 commitment
- Orientated them to the unit as to unit rules and routines, yard times, group times, introducing them to staff and showing them to their dorm and personal area
- Assisted psychiatrists/clinical staff in working with patients to stabilize and be able to return to court competent to stand trial
- Monitored patients for any changes in mental status or changes of behavior including differences of behavior/attitude of patient when he was not with clinical staff
- Provided psychiatric or personal care to emotionally disturbed or cognitively impaired patients
- Collaborated with doctors, psychologists or therapists in working with patient treatments
- Monitored patients' well-being and reported changes or unusual behavior or physical illness to medical staff
- Led individual counseling and teaching of court officials and their role in court to assist patient in becoming competent to stand trial
- Initiated staff schedules and lunches, audited documents, ensured that rules and regulations were adhered to
- Instructed new employees on protocols to use when interacting with psychiatric patients.
- Treated clients and families with respect and dignity.
Psychiatric Technician
Patton State Hospital
02.1996 - 05.2007
- Conducted rounds of floor and dorms monitoring patients on a unit that housed court ordered 1026 (Guilty by reason of insanity)as well as CONREP revocations and reporting and documenting any changes in behaviors
- Monitored patients' well-being and reported changes or unusual behavior or physical illness to medical staff
- Verbally Interacted with patients who could be escalating into a crisis situation and using proper verbal de escalation techniques to prevent further escalation that could result in a self abusive or assaultive behavior
- When required restrained violent, self abusive, and or suicidal patients physically using approved physical techniques
- Influenced patients' behavior with interaction, counseling or instruction
- Collaborated with doctors, psychologists or therapists in working with patient treatments
- Instructed new employees on protocols to use when interacting with psychiatric patients
- Aided patients in performing activities of daily living
- Encouraged patients to develop interpersonal skills and engage in social interactions or other therapeutic activities
- Cultivated relationships with patients, discussing ways to help improve overall health while alleviating self-harm practices
- Restrained violent or suicidal patients using approved verbal or physical techniques
- Developed basic strategies to promote patient safety, wellness and independence
- Led individual and group therapy supporting prescribed procedures
- Recorded patients' health metrics using thermometers or blood pressure gauges
- Accompanied patients to medical and counseling appointments
- Assisted patients improve social relationships and engagement
- Conducted hypodermic injections following hospital procedures
- Administered oral medications following physician's prescriptions and instructions
- Assisted psychiatrists in working with patients to rehabilitate for community reintegration
- Handled vital sign monitoring, medication administration and patient behavior assessments
- Provided psychiatric or personal care to emotionally disturbed or cognitively impaired patients
- Scheduled, led, and documented regular scheduled, semi annual and annual conferences with Patient, Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Recreation Therapist, Registered Nurse, and assigned Psychiatric Technicial for all patients of Unit 30
- Participated in DBT training and assisted in the initiating and running program on Unit 30
- Acted as shift lead when needed
- Duties were making staff assignments, making lunch schedules, ensuring that schedules were followed and that patients made it to appointments/groups as assigned and behavioral plans were followed.
- Auditing Psych Tech weekly and RN monthly documentation in charts
Psychiatric Technician
Camarillo State Hospital
10.1990 - 02.1996
- Monitored patients' well-being and reported changes or unusual behavior or physical illness to medical staff
- Influenced patients' behavior with interaction, counseling or instruction
- Collaborated with doctors, psychologists or therapists in working with patient treatments
- Communicated with clients and families effectively building lasting relationships
- Instructed new employees on protocols to use when interacting with psychiatric patients
- Aided patients in performing activities of daily living
- Encouraged patients to develop interpersonal skills and engage in social interactions or other therapeutic activities
- Cultivated relationships with patients, discussing ways to help improve overall health while alleviating self-harm practices
- Restrained violent or suicidal patients using approved verbal or physical techniques
- Developed basic strategies to promote patient safety, wellness and independence
- Recorded patients' health metrics using thermometers or blood pressure gauges
- Accompanied patients to medical and counseling appointments
- Assisted patients improve social relationships and engagement
- Conducted hypodermic injections following hospital procedures
- Administered oral medications following physician's prescriptions and instructions.
Psychiatric Technician Student
Camarillo State Hospital
08.1989 - 08.1990
- While attending Ventura College Psychiatric Technology Program I:
- Aided patients in performing activities of daily living
- Collaborated with doctors, psychologists or therapists in working with patient treatments
- Monitored patients' well-being and reported changes or unusual behavior or physical illness to medical staff
- Assisted in developing basic strategies to promote patient safety, wellness and independence
- Accompanied patients to medical and counseling appointments
- Influenced patients' behavior with interaction, counseling or instruction.
Education
Certificate of Completion Psychiatric Technology - Psychiatric Technology
Ventura College
Camarillo, CA08.1990
Skills
- Mental Health Support
- Patient Rapport
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Emotional Support
- Suicide Intervention
- Treatment Options
- Self-harm prevention
- Active listening
- Clinical documentation
- Crisis intervention
- Medication administration
- Empathy and compassion
Timeline
Licensed Psychiatric Technician
Telecare Corporation
05.2023 - Current
Psychiatric Technician/Senior Psychiatric Technician
Calipatria State Prison, CAL
06.2009 - 06.2021
Senior Psychiatric Technician
Patton State Hospital
01.2007 - 06.2009
Psychiatric Technician
Patton State Hospital
02.1996 - 05.2007
Psychiatric Technician
Camarillo State Hospital
10.1990 - 02.1996
Psychiatric Technician Student
Camarillo State Hospital
08.1989 - 08.1990
Certificate of Completion Psychiatric Technology - Psychiatric Technology
Ventura College
Similar Profiles
JOSE TRISTAN CELEDIOJOSE TRISTAN CELEDIO
Mental Health Assistant at Telecare CorporationMental Health Assistant at Telecare Corporation
Julia PearsonJulia Pearson
Peer Recovery Coach at Telecare CorporationPeer Recovery Coach at Telecare Corporation
Adriene OliverAdriene Oliver
Staffing & Scheduling TimeKeeper at Telecare CorporationStaffing & Scheduling TimeKeeper at Telecare Corporation