CNA Lead/Mental Health Assistant

About the position

This is a full-time position with the Department of Social Services at the South Dakota Human Services Center, Yankton, SD. The Mental Health Assistant provides direct care services, assists with unit management duties, provides an atmosphere conducive to treatment and supports patients with mental health and chemical dependency issues in an effort to meet the patients' needs. Multiple shifts available, including holidays and weekends. Spruce 1 PM, Willow 1 PM. Shift differential: $2.00 pm and night shift, $1.50 weekend shift, $1.00 Geriatric pay. The Human Services Center provides a comprehensive employee orientation including completion of the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certification. Previous CNA experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care services to patients.
• Assist with unit management duties.
• Support patients with mental health and chemical dependency issues.
• Create an atmosphere conducive to treatment.
• Carry out individual program plans for treatment of patients.
• Document patient behavior and progress.
• Monitor and report physical symptoms and significant behavioral characteristics of patients.

Requirements

• Previous CNA experience required.
• Knowledge of unit routine and the physical and psychological needs of the mentally ill.
• Knowledge of patient safety procedures.
• Knowledge of standard treatment programs for the mentally ill.
• Ability to provide work direction.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and procedures.
• Ability to accurately observe, recognize, report, and record physical symptoms and significant behavioral characteristics of patients.
• Ability to lift 75 lbs. and assist in lifting and moving patients.
• Ability to deal with aggressive behavior.
• Ability to communicate information clearly and concisely.

Nice-to-haves

• Possession of a National Career Readiness Certificate.

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual.
• Dental and vision insurance options.
• Retirement benefits under Class A retirement plan.