It’s National Nurse Appreciation Week!
Nurses play an important role in society each and every day. And the Camino a Casa program is no exception. Our team of nurses and other health care providers provide quality medical care to youth in our Camino a Casa programs. Our on-site Medical Clinic is a licensed Community Care Clinic through the California Department of Public Health. The staff is comprised of Psychiatric providers, Supervising Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Certified Medical Assistants.
Youth in our residential and partial hospitalization programs are scheduled for weekly medication management appointments with a psychiatric provider. The psychiatric provider works closely with parent/legal guardian(s) to manage current medications and/or make any medication changes. Youth in Camino a Casa’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) continue to see their outpatient psychiatric provider, while Camino a Casa staff collaborate with this provider to support the youth.
There is always an on-call psychiatric and medical provider available for any questions or concerns. All Camino a Casa direct care staff are trained in First Aid and CPR.
Upon Admission, youth will receive:
- Comprehensive Clinical Assessment: Each youth and their parents or guardians will participate in a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment and a preliminary risk and health screening conducted by a clinician and the health services department. Psychological testing may be included as indicated. An individualized treatment plan will be created based on the results of the biopsychosocial assessment and the preliminary risk and health screening.
- Medication Management Plan: Each youth admitted to Camino a Casa is evaluated by a Psychiatrist or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides medication evaluation and management. Youth are provided psychiatric services weekly, and the psychiatric provider is involved in treatment planning and ongoing case consultation.
- Psychological Testing: Youth identified as not having recent psychological testing, who need to have their diagnosis confirmed, or have questions that may be answered by testing may be referred to have a psychological screener administered. This testing battery will examine emotional and cognitive functioning. The assessment clinician presents the results of the testing to the direct care staff at the weekly meeting with recommendations on the best ways to interact with the specific youth. In a separate meeting, the parent/legal guardian(s) will be given feedback on the testing results. The treatment plan may be adjusted at any time based on these results and recommendations of the testing or changing needs.
The entire Camino a Casa Health Clinic Team, including our nurses, play a vital role in providing comprehensive and quality mental health care to youth and their families. Each piece of the healing process integrates our medical team, from intake to daily treatment, to a strategic discharge plan – they work alongside clinicians and direct care staff to ensure the best outcome and long-term success.
For more information about Camino a Casa, please contact our admissions team at (805) 366-4000.
