Lead Mental Health Specialist, Emergency Care Center, Jackson Main, FT, Days

Jackson Health•Miami, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Mental Health Specialist (LMHS) is a hands-on team member who provides clinical support and guidance for mental health specialists, and performs advanced job duties related to clinical work in a treatment program for mentally ill patients in the behavioral health treatment facility. The LMHS is a member of the care team whose job duties support the delivery of a single standard of care, under the supervision of a registered nurse or psychologist. The LMHS will provide resources and mentoring to new team members, while exhibiting enhanced growth, accountability, and superior clinical skills.

Requirements

Generally requires 1 to 5 years of related experience.
High School diploma is required.
Advanced knowledge of psychiatric, psychological and medical terminologies and their clinical implications for treatment of patients.
Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines.
Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with critical thinking and professional composure.
Ability to understand and follow instructions.
Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment.
Knowledge and skill in use of job appropriate technology and software applications.
Must meet and maintain current all unit specific and organizational skills/competencies, certifications/licensures, as required by the nursing area.

Nice To Haves

Valid Florida Behavioral Health Technician Certification (CBHT) required within 12 months of hiring.
Employees who test for the CBHT on or before the 12-month deadline and fail will be allotted one 30-day extension due to the required waiting period for retesting mandated by the Florida Certification Board.
American Heart Association and any additional applicable life support certification for Healthcare Providers may be required at the unit level upon hire with at least 6 months validity and maintenance at JHS for the duration of employment.
AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) with 6 months validity

Responsibilities

Guide, mentor, and coach Mental Health Specialists in providing exemplary clinical support care in the behavioral health inpatient setting.
Assist with developing orientation programming for new mental health specialists, including evaluating effectiveness, suggesting improvements, and monitoring staff for competency achievement.
Foster a safe, cooperative, and harmonious work environment to promote maximum employee morale and productivity.
Facilitate proper staff development and training under the guidance of the Director of Nursing Operations or designee.
Provide input for employee evaluations to the overseeing manager or director.
Perform patient care observations and duties as directed by the RN and outlined in the hospital's policies and procedures.
Manage patient activities and provide patient education.
Assist with maintaining a therapeutic milieu in accordance with policy.
Supervise patient activities in the milieu and respond/intervene per protocol.
Utilize verbal de-escalation techniques and coping strategies to help reduce the risk of patients' disruptive and aggressive behavior.
Identify behaviors that may require seclusion, restraint, or other clinical intervention, and escalate to the primary nurse or nurse leader.
Participate in the restraint and seclusion of patients according to hospital policy and procedures.
Escort and monitor patients during fresh air breaks.
Perform a variety of tasks associated with generalized patient care including, vital signs, feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, bed making/linen changes, assists the health care team with preparing supplies, and sets up/or remove equipment.
Utilize specialized equipment as needed when providing patient care (glucometer, restraints etc.).
Prepare and clean rooms and patient treatment areas between patient use (seclusion room, quiet room), etc.
Perform ongoing observations of patients and document their status in the electronic observation record.
Report unusual findings to the primary nurse or the nurse leader.
Maintain accurate precautionary monitoring (suicidal, violence, and elopement) q. 15 minutes; report and record patient's physical and emotional whereabouts, activity, and behavior.
Responsibly monitor patients in recreational therapies, psychotherapy, and education programs; and document significant behaviors.
Engage patients in daily activities, including group facilitation.
Assume responsibility for proper handling of patient's clothing and property at the time of admission, transfer, and discharge; and complete necessary documentation.
Assist in the fabrication of adaptive and assistive equipment, i.e. washing mitts, wheelchair gloves, safety belts, straps, etc.
Maintain the storage closet and ensure therapeutic activity materials are available.
Follow up on patient care responsibilities and assignments left from previous shifts and report any incomplete assignments to ensure continuity of procedures.
Assist with orientation of new employees.
Engage in culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate interventions in order to work with patients from a variety of backgrounds and diverse populations.
Demonstrate behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise).
Perform all other related job duties as assigned.