Mental Health Associate

BMC Software•Boston, MA

10d•$18 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for participating in the patient admission and discharge process, including obtaining vital signs, documenting patient belongings, and orienting patients to the unit. The associate will also implement the interdisciplinary treatment plan by monitoring vital signs, intake/output, assisting with basic nursing care and activities of daily living, and supporting patient adherence to protocols. Responsibilities include patient safety checks, 1:1 observations, de-escalation techniques, assisting in medical emergencies, and communicating patient status to the Patient Care Director or Registered Nurse. The role also involves preparing patient information sheets, participating in treatment planning meetings, and potentially co-leading therapeutic groups. Maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, professional demeanor, and adherence to AVADE principles are key. Non-essential functions include orienting staff and visitors, answering the unit phone, and performing related duties. Reporting requirements include immediate notification of unusual occurrences, changes in patient condition, breaches in quality of care or civil rights, and safety/environmental concerns. Accountability includes maintaining confidentiality, adhering to policies and procedures, keeping informed of patient status, proper patient identification, fiscal control awareness, and continuous skill development through in-service education and clinical supervision.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
One to two years nursing assistant, er tech, mental health worker experience required.
Basic Life Support Required
AVADE Training with the first six months required

Nice To Haves

Enrolled in a Bachelor of Psychology, social work or human service-related bachelor program

Responsibilities

Accurately obtains and records admission vital signs, height and weight, and documents these on the Nursing Assessment Form.
Records and processes patient belongings and valuables on admission and at discharge.
Orients patients to the physical layout of the unit, milieu staff, unit rules, schedules and Patient’s rights, and documents this on the Nursing Assessment form.
Accurately monitors, reports, and documents routine vital signs as assigned.
Accurately monitors, reports and documents patient intake and output as assigned.
Assists with the collection of routine specimens.
Assists in all aspects of basic nursing care utilizing, i.e., bed-making, patient transfers with knowledge of proper body mechanics.
Assists patients as needed with activities of daily living (ADLs) including eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, ambulating and all aspects of personal hygiene and care.
Assists and monitors patients' adherence to pre and post-test protocols and ECT procedures as determined by the Registered Nurse.
Escorts patients to and from unit for tests and activities as needed.
Performs and documents patient safety checks at scheduled intervals per assignment.
Performs 1:1 observation for high risk patients as assigned.
Participates in limit setting with patients and other de-escalation techniques.
Assists in a team approach to provide physical control of patients in a crisis situation.
Assists with implementation of restraints and/or seclusion.
Assists in medical emergencies as directed.
Monitors and promptly communicates all observations or information relative to patient's safety or clinical status or treatment to Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee and documents information as needed in Progress Notes.
Prepares daily patient-related information sheets as assigned.
Participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings and patient conferences by sharing patient related observations/information.
May co-lead community meeting and therapeutic groups for patients as designated by the Patient Care Director.
Monitors the overall milieu per assignment and reports any patient or environmental issues which might impact on patient care or patient/staff safety.
Maintains proper professional demeanor with patients, families, visitors, and co-workers.
Utilizes principles of AVADE in managing high risk situations.
Assists in maintaining cleanliness, sanitation and orderliness of unit.
Is dependable and punctual in reporting to work.
Functions as a resource person for orienting staff, students, visitors and families.
Assists with answering unit phone and monitoring access to the unit when needed.
Performs related duties as needed.
Reports immediately to the Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee, any unusual occurrence related to patients, staff, self, or visitor.
Reports immediately to the Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee, any change or question of change in a patient's clinical condition.
Reports immediately to the Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee, incidents and/or breaches in quality of care.
Reports immediately to the Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee, incidents and/or breaches in patient's civil rights.
Reports immediately to the Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee, observations related to environmental safety or equipment maintenance or development of a potential crisis situation.
Maintains the confidentiality and security of all Medical Center-related, staff-related, and patient-related data and information.
Abides by all Nursing and Department of Psychiatry policies and procedures.
Abides by all relevant Medical Center policies and procedures, including infection control.
Keeps informed of each patient's physical, mental, legal status, assigned observation and privilege level and daily nursing care plan.
Keeps proper patient identification by requesting patient name and checking ID bands.
Facilitates fiscal control by an awareness of cost control efforts.
Continues maintenance and develops skill level in patient care through attendance at In-service education and clinical supervision.