My Latest Gig

Since I don't have enough drama in my day job... I think I'm going to start doing something else. The emergency rooms in all Brazos County hospitals have a contract with MHMR Brazos Valley. If anyone with a mental health crisis [is homicidal or suicidal] gets brought into the ER, then a qualified Mental Health Professional from MHMR gets sent out to assess him and decide if he needs to be admitted to a Psych Hospital. Fun, huh?

So, really, I just want to earn some extra money. And I won't deny it does provide a little adrenaline rush :)

Thursday night, I went out on my first call [along with someone who'd done this before] to learn the steps involved. And there are many. Lots of paperwork and lots of phone calls. You have to assess them and then consult with the attending ER MD to decide if they should be committed. And you might have to place them against their will - especially if they're psychotic [which we had to do Thursday night]. You have to check their medical clearance [all of their labs and drug screenings] and then find an open bed somewhere in the state of Texas to place them. Apparently, this is easier said than done. If you decide not to commit them, then you do a "safety plan" with them, detailing ways they are going to stay out of crisis.

It's all really interesting and new to me. The ER is exciting for sure. I'm a little nervous about it still. It seems really intense, and I'm afraid of messing the process up. I'll let you know how it goes after my first "solo" trip to the ER. No doubt I'll have MANY interesting stories to share.