Experience

[cmtruman]

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Hi all-first post 🙂 I'm currently working on my MS in Psych with plans to obtain my PhD. I have had plenty of volunteer experience with difference populations, but I'm looking for a job and have two options open. Previously, I spent a year doing Case Management in a substance abuse treatment center and also worked as a CM with MMR clients. Currently, I have a second interview at a children's acute psychiatric center working as a therapy aide working with kids and parents to keep the child out of the hospital or placed outside the home. I haven't really had a lot of crisis experience, so I think this would be a great experience and help prepare me for future jobs. Anyone worked in this capacity before? Pros/Cons? My other option is to be a CM for MMR people again. I know how to do it, and it will probably be easier.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[pingouin]

I always advocate getting crisis experience somehow, somewhere, when someone is starting out in mental health. Among other things, it teaches you how to deal with the unexpected, de-escalation skills, how to complete a thorough safety assessment, and the resources in your area. All of these -and more- will be invaluable for the rest of your career.

 

[PsyKardinal]

I second pingouin, get the crisis experience. It will go a long way towards making you a more effective provider. Congrats on having two job oppurtunities at the same time.

Jeff

 

[cmtruman]

Actually, when I first moved here my degree got me nowhere. It wasn't until I got some Case Management experience under my belt my resume stopped getting thrown away. I went to my 2nd interview for the acute psychiatric position, and if I am offered it (I'll know by Wednesday!) I will definitely take it. There is on-call involved, but I think learning to deal with the crisis situations will prepare for for more than CM, even if I do have to run to a crisis situation in the middle of the night. Thanks for the words of advice 🙂

 

[pingouin]

If it helps..

The crisis line I worked for also staffed a mobile outreach team. I picked up on-call hours part-time for that starting about 6 months after I started working full-time on the line. Since I was 3p-11p on the phones, my on-call hours that first year were M-Thurs midnight- 6am. 😱 I cannot begin to tell you how much I learned......

(Among the non-clinical learning experiences is that 1) there are as many people heading to Harrah's at 3am as there are leaving, 2) on the floor is State Highway Patrol jurisdiction, but all restaurants, shops, and common areas fall under the municipality, and 3) high-stakes gamblers do not appreciate an incredibly ill schizophrenic man, who had stopped his medications weeks prior, looking at their cards and telling the rest of the table what they were holding.)

 

[cmtruman]

So I was offered the position working with the acute psychiatric children's unit...they just need to get in contact with my last reference. I am scared of working with a brand-new population, but I know I will gain a lot of experience, especially the crisis situations. I bought " Skills Training for Children with Behavior Problems" to get an idea of what I'll be working with...so thanks for the advice everyone 🙂! I think this will give me a better experience rather than going the same type of work I was doing before.