medical assistant

case manager

mental health technician

mental health case manager

life skills trainer

Oaklawn Psychiatric Center

I did not have a good experience working at Oaklawn. My direct supervisor was very vindictive and never had a kind word to say. We worked with teenagers who had mental health issues. Occasionally they would attack staff or other clients and company policy was to have multiple staff place the client in a hold until proper medications could be administered. My supervisor would could the hands of staff that were not performing the hold to her standard, well and above the actual. Beyond that she would manipulate the schedule to allow her to not need to use her vacation time as much as if she hadn't manipulated it. She was also constantly late. This was a position that required 24 hour coverage, so this would impede on the schedules of her subordinates.

I watched staff be abused by clients that should have been at a higher echelon of care. One employee was sent to the hospital with multiple concussions without the client being removed. This employee was then expected to continue working with said client.

I watched as staff neglected clients with one incident nearly resulting in the death of a client. The client was prescribed constant oxygen. The client was going through a psychotic episode was was consistently taking the oxygen off. This led to the client's O2 levels dropping dangerously low and requiring intervention from the local hospital.

The higher ups had absolutely no concern for their employees. My position required me to notify the higher ups when certain situations occurred. For example, if there was a break in, I would need to report this to the president and do necessary paperwork, as per the president's signed SOP. Incidents that required me notifying said higher ups were always greeted with dismissal comments and questions as to why I was "bothering" them at home, despite following the SOP to the letter.

This culminated in me leaving the organization when multiple employees inquired about new safety precautions when 3/4 of the staff were leaving. This would result in less support in situations where clients would need to be placed in a hold for the safety of staff and other clients. This was met with dismissal comments. For my own safety I took it upon myself to leave the position.

This was not a safe work environment whatsoever. It upset me to see that this was how people with mental health issues were receiving help.

Beyond that, I was hired in at 40%, meaning I would work 40% of a normal 40 hour work week, or 16 hours. I was regularly scheduled for 24 hours, which I had no problem with and sought out. After working at 60% for multiple months, my requests of being officially moved to 60% was met with literal laughing from my supervisor. I also only received one raise while performing above and beyond my job description of $0.07. This was not because of anything I did, but a company wide raise, based on percentage of working hours and job position.

Working with the clients is almost always rewarding for me but this has not always been true. Over the recent years there have been a lot of conduct clients making an unsafe, unpredictable and stressful work environment. Most recently most of those types of clients have left, no more have been admitted, leaving the remainder of them needing a more therapeutic approach. I read a lot of negative reviews but the thing to know when applying for this position is, everyone who works at Oaklawn, sacrifices something whether small or large. This job is definitely for those who are dedicated with respectable principles and who work hard. The ability to work as a team or as a leader and communication skills are a must and you’ll find that most employees posses these qualities. To some it may seem too demanding, they are treated unfairly or it’s too stressful but that is partly because the employees needed are in short supply. Unfortunately, due to family members and friends working together, they are shown favoritism and made exceptions to rules. Those who come to work here without inside connections are not treated the same and it makes an impact that is stressful and feelings that they lack value. This is not a job but a lifestyle in which the clients safety and well-being needs to be priority. The pay is not great but if you are dedicated to the service of helping the clients improve their lives, the rewards can make up for the lack in pay. But if you posses these qualities I mentioned and can be relied upon to come to work when expected and meet the requirements of every other holiday and every other weekend then you will be treated fairly and will be paid accordingly. 

I worked as a PATH Outreach Specialist for a little under a year in Elkhart. I had to leave due to relocating out of state. Had I not moved, I would still be working there. 

My supervisor was very employee focused, checking in with us bi-weekly and monitoring our caseload to ensure we were avoiding burn-out/compassion fatigue. Our team was close, meeting weekly to bounce ideas and how to handle different clients/situations off each other. All of us are different, and our supervisor gave us full autonomy and encouraged us to be true to ourselves and lean on and learn from each other. When we did have a difficult day or became emotionally drained, we were encouraged to reach out to our supervisor and given the time off we required to re-charge. Oaklawn gives all employees 8 free counseling sessions a year at an outside mental health provider and encourages employees take advantage of the program to help with the compassion fatigue that comes with this kind of role. 

The pay was not great, but never is in this field. Oaklawn is aware of that, so they try to make up for it by providing additional non-monetary benefits (PTO that accrues from day one of employment, team-building opportunities, employee recognition). 

My case-load was high, and the PATH team could use another part-time position in Elkhart, but financially that wasn't doable. There is a PSP (recovery coach) position on the PATH team that I do not feel was necessary, and could have been replaced with an additional PATH Outreach Specialist. 

Overall, I enjoyed working for Oaklawn and loved the PATH team and position. The supportive and trusting leadership made the work load and pay tolerable. 

A typical day at work includes checking emails and reading shift notes from the previous day/weekend. I then typically meet individually with one or two youth in the morning for about 1.5 hours each. I then have meetings during mid-morning hours that involve reviewing the youth on the units in which I have clients. After lunch I usually see 2-3 more youth for about an hour each. The end of the day consists of catching up on documentation notes and building rapport with coworkers.
I have honestly learned lots from this position. I learned how to work as a team and provide therapeutic care for youth with mental health needs. I learned how to approach difficult situations mindfully and productively. 
Management is laid back for the most part. While there are responsibilities each person is held accountable toward, management is typically willing to help when asked. 
Workplace culture is also quite laid back. Everyone is pretty welcoming and willing to lend a hand when needed. I feel like I can hold a relevant, mature conversation with most of my coworkers.
The hardest part of the job is how mentally draining it is. Each youth responds differently to each person and knowing how to approach each youth in a mindful, nonjudgmental way is difficult.
The most enjoyable part of the job is knowing that I am doing good work for a good cause. When a youth successfully discharges, I know that I helped prepare them for their future.

The management will throw you under the bus whenever they so please. You also have no way of defending yourself. If a client says you did anything wrong, even if you didn't, then you will be reprimanded and watched like a hawk. You're expected to have a certain amount of productivity, which means amount of time you spent helping clients. This also includes billing medicaid for literally looking up an after school program online. It is all about profit for this place, they don't care about their employees or the clients. I had clients that had been "getting services" for years, and kept on the schedule just to make money from medicaid. The kids didn't need any more services from care facilitation or skills training, but was still enrolled, even if the parents declined wanting services. Your coworkers are burnt out and could care less about their jobs. Of course there are a few that still have a soul, but I'm sure it has been sucked out of them by now. The most enjoyable part of the job was when I clocked out and went home. The training was poor, you were paid the same as someone that worked at Taco Bell, even though you have a college degree. No shade against Taco Bell, but come on. We are constantly trying to help kids from committing suicide, and can barely make ends meet financially. I knew fellow coworkers who were on medicaid themselves because of the salary at Oaklawn. Just don't work here. Seriously. Find something else for your own sanity.

I’ve been working here during the day shift for years (PRN) and I love what I do. There are lots of cons though. 

Pros
-the kids are the best part of the job and being their support is very rewarding
-when the children’s behavior is positive, the day is very easy and fun
-we get free food during kid’s meals 
-the night shift is usually veryyy low stress (if you are autistic or antisocial, the night shift is a good option)!  
-being PRN instead of full time is a way easier job

Cons
-we are so underpaid. it’s insane. 
-FT staff have a harder job because they handle the same children and mostly the same staff day in and day out. they lead the minor decisions of the day and thus the children get mad at them more
-you must be attentive to the kids to do this job right
-high turnover, usually short staffed
-it is a very stressful job on bad days. you must be able to handle crises, pay attention to the youth’s dynamics, and prevent/intervene in arguments
-some staff can be cliquey if that bothers you **

**Most regular staff are friends with one another and friends with the higher ups, and they talk about ppl. I am kind to my coworkers but I don’t care to be friends w them or involved in private stuff, and I’ve been here years happily although a bit stressed. 

I've had multiple jobs with this company and have seen genuine attempts to increase wages, to improve work culture, and to  improve equity and inclusion. 

However, I've seen management intentionally keep staff from being promoted solely because of staffing issues and choose to hire external candidates instead of providing opportunity for advancement to current loyal employees.

The work culture is a major selling point of this organization and is why so many of our staff have worked here for 5+ years, some up to 25+ years. 

The hardest part of this job regardless of your role is the high risk of burnout. Being a CCBHC means that many staff are paid below livable wages but are still overworked because of the high need for services in our area and staffing shortage.

The most enjoyable part of the job is the culture and the people. There are so many great people working for this organization that make it worth it

What is the best part of working at the company?
You could get overtime, could eat with the youth. Helped youth who were in crisis and needed support. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Not much consistent support from staff or administration.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Critical, judgemental, gossip oriented, very negative environment in residential. Staff refuse to follow rules and get away with it. Staff  have been treating different ethnicities differently and are not dealt with.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Wake kids up get hygien done, give interventions when behavior dictates, take to cafeteria then attend school and support youth when needed. Respond to campus emergencies with youth. Give youth positive encouragement, take to individual therapy, give or support group therapy. Keep track of where youth are or who they leave with (family, Case manager, therapist, CASA), identify who is allowed to call and talk to youth and have visits.

I have worked at Oaklawn for several years across a couple teams. Some managers were excellent, and some are just okay. I have heard horror stories about a couple supervisors, but I never worked with them so I don't really know.
The pay is not the best, but I'd rather take lower pay and have a good supervisor and work environment than get paid more and be constantly stressed and overworked. Management was always receptive to my needs in workload, and there is a significant focus on teamwork and collaboration. 
Overall, it's a good company to work for, but if you interview there, be sure to ask questions to get to know the supervisor a little before you join their team. If you like the company but don't get along with your supervisor, it's fairly simple to transfer to another team. If you want to advance, you have to have a master's, but there are always opportunities as people shift roles and new teams are developed.

Oaklawn is a great place to gain experience. It offers flexibility that you would not get at other agencies. The staff (non-management) are all really great people. The clients make the job worthwhile. Management will keep toxic people in management as long as they nod in agreement with whatever they are told. Turnover is insane, and when your team is short staffed, no one seems to care too much anymore about your work life balance. There is such a HUGE emphasis on productivity that you will probably have dreams about it at night. If you struggle with anything at all, you will be told you need to see a counselor and to utilize your EAP.  If you have a great sense of boundaries and you really just want good experience it can be a good experience. Benefits historically have been great, but at this point they are almost unaffordable. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Medical assistant 3 salaries reported	$19.49 per hour
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Mental health technician 3 salaries reported	$16.62 per hour
Mental health case manager 2 salaries reported	$16.97 per hour
Life skills trainer 2 salaries reported	$16.97 per hour

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