Mental Health Associate, Adult Psychiatric Unit (Inpatient) - Harrington, Webster Campus - 24 hours, Nights

UMass Memorial Health•Webster, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position functions as a member of the mental health team on an inpatient behavioral health unit. The role involves providing direct patient care, including treatment planning, implementing care plans, documentation, and maintaining milieu safety through various assessments and activities such as group sessions. The Mental Health Associate serves both internal and external customers, including patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues who support the delivery of care and services. Key responsibilities include clear and timely communication with licensed nurses regarding patient observations and changes, recording behavioral data, ensuring patient safety through checks and rounds, utilizing de-escalation and calming strategies, adhering to restraint policy standards, and contributing to a safe and therapeutic environment. The associate will also lead or co-lead group activities and manage routine situations, seeking assistance when needed.

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.