Mental Health Associate - Electroconvulsive Therapy - Full time - Day Shift

Meritus Health

5h•Onsite

About The Position

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment for serious mental health conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, and some forms of psychosis—especially when other treatments haven’t been effective. Patients are given short-acting anesthesia and a muscle relaxant, and a small, carefully monitored electrical stimulus is delivered to the brain to produce a brief therapeutic seizure. This process helps improve brain function and can significantly reduce severe symptoms. The procedure is safe, closely monitored, and evidence-based, and most patients wake up within minutes and recover in a supervised area before returning to their unit or going home the same day. Mental Health Associates assist patients in ECT before, during, and after treatment. The Mental Health Associate provides direct care and therapeutic support to patients of all ages in a psychiatric setting. This role involves observing and documenting patient behavior, maintaining a safe and structured environment, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to promote patient well-being. The associate plays a key role in fostering a therapeutic milieu and supporting program activities. MHA's are cross trained in the Adult and Child/ Adolescent Units.

Requirements

High school diploma required
Ability to follow written and oral instructions using sound judgment
Legally licensed to operate hospital vehicles
Basic to moderate computer skills
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Current BLS (CPR) certification in compliance with policy
Annual submission of certified driving record required on date of birth
Signed acknowledgment of “Attestation A” of Meritus Vehicle Management Use and Control policy

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a social science preferred
Prior mental health experience preferred
Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record preferred (no moving violations in the past three years)

Responsibilities

Escort patients to ECT
Verify patient identity and treatment schedule
Take and document vital signs
Ensure NPO status (nothing by mouth) is followed
Assisting with safe patient positioning and transfers
Helping manage patient flow in pre-op and recovery areas
Observing patients for anxiety, agitation, or confusion
Supporting nurses, psychiatrists, and anesthesia staff as needed
Monitor patients for post-anesthesia confusion, disorientation, or agitation
Recheck and document vital signs
Ensure patient safety (fall precautions)
Escort patients back to inpatient units or discharge areas
Maintain confidentiality in all patient interactions and documentation
Provide direct patient care with attention to safety, comfort, and therapeutic engagement
Observe and report patient behavior to clinical staff; document in progress notes
Respond appropriately to patient needs and behavioral interventions
Build cooperative relationships with staff, patients, and families
Demonstrate leadership and empathy in daily interactions
Implement structured programming using the Theme of the Day concept
Support and maintain a therapeutic environment on psychiatric units
Assist in training and orienting new employees
Modify interventions to be age-appropriate for each patient and family situation
Enforce unit rules and organizational policies assertively and respectfully
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor