Mental Health Associate, Adult Psychiatric Unit (Inpatient) - Harrington Hospital, Webster Campus Per Diem

UMass Memorial Health•Webster, MA

50d•$15 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a member of the mental health team on an inpatient and/or outpatient mental health unit. The role involves providing direct patient care, including treatment planning, implementing plans, documentation, and milieu safety assessments and activities such as group activities. The Mental Health Associate is responsible for clear, timely communication with licensed nurses regarding patient observations and changes, recording behavioral data, and maintaining patient safety through checks and rounds. The role also involves utilizing de-escalation and calming strategies, following restraint policy standards, and participating in the development and maintenance of a safe and therapeutic environment. Additionally, the associate may lead or co-lead group activities, assist in medical emergencies, obtain vital signs, perform procedures like EKGs and phlebotomy, document progress notes, and assist with medical and psychiatric interventions as directed. Personal care, optimizing patient's independent functioning, and implementing treatment plans are also key aspects of the role. The position requires attending staff meetings, staying current with hospital and unit changes, participating in quality improvement initiatives, and complying with health, safety, and HIPAA requirements.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
American Heart Association certification for health care provider CPR required upon hire or during orientation and every two years thereafter.
Avade 2 (restraint) training completion required within 30 days of hire.
Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and concise manner.
Must have effective interpersonal skills to provide respectful, culturally and age-appropriate communication with patients, staff, visitors and others.
Must demonstrate effective problem-solving abilities for routine situations.
Must have ability to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and concise manner.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree preferred
Medical terminology and computer skills preferred
Two year’s experience in a health-related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the Mental Health Team and serves both internal and external customers including patients, families, nurses, physicians and other colleagues who support the delivery of care and services.
Provides clear, timely communication to the units licensed nurses regarding observations and changes seen in the patient. Records behavioral data on appropriate data sheets and the electronic medical record.
Maintains patient safety by performing patient safety checks, environmental safety rounds, utilizing fall prevention alternative devices/strategies as directed.
Effectively utilizes de-escalation and calming tools and strategies and follows the Restraint Policy standards when caring for a restrained patient.
Participates and shares responsibility for the development and maintenance of a safe and therapeutic environment.
Serves as a leader or co-leader for group activities such as goal setting group, dual diagnosis groups, various activity groups, and structuring and supervising recreational activities. Handles routine situations and must request assistance from identified resources when more direction is needed.
Assists in medical emergencies as directed by the licensed nurse. Utilizes proper safety techniques and body mechanic in all work-related activities.
Obtains and records vital signs, measures and records patients’ height and weight.
Performs a variety of procedures which may include but not limited to EKGs, phlebotomy, and measuring intake and output as assigned by the licensed nurse.
Documents daily progress notes and group notes as assigned by the licensed nurse.
Assists the licensed nurse in other medical and psychiatric interventions as directed.
Provides personal care as appropriate, working to optimize patient’s independent functioning in performance of daily routines.
Works to utilize interventions to de-escalate patients and if unsuccessful participates in restraints in accordance with training and education as directed.
Performs safety checks on patients and monitors unit safety as directed. Documents findings.
Reviews and follows treatment plan with patient. Provides feedback to clinical team regarding implementation of the plan. Implements special treatment strategies as indicated in the plan.
Maintains logs, organizes patient care charts for admission/discharge/transfer and maintains medical records as instructed.
Attends staff meetings and in-service programs as required or directed. Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards, emails, bulletin boards, posted notices and reads and responds to UMMHC emails on a regular basis.
Participates in unit-based quality improvement initiatives.
Compiles with required health, safety and HIPAA requirements.
Complies with established departmental policies, procedures and objectives.
Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.