Mental Health Associate, Adult Psychiatric Unit (Inpatient) - Harrington, Webster Campus - 24 hours, 2:45p-11:15p

UMass Memorial Health•Webster, MA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Associate participates as a member of the mental health team on an inpatient adult psychiatric unit. The role provides direct patient care, supports treatment planning and implementation, documents patient care, and contributes to milieu safety and therapeutic activities. The associate serves patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues, communicating observations and changes in patients’ conditions to licensed nurses. This position is based at the Harrington Webster Campus and is scheduled for 24 hours per week on an evening shift, 2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m., including every other weekend and every other holiday. The role includes maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, performing safety checks, supporting fall prevention, using de-escalation strategies, and participating in restraints when directed and trained. The associate helps patients with personal care and independent functioning, supports group and recreational activities, obtains and documents vital signs and measurements, and may perform assigned procedures such as EKGs and phlebotomy. The associate also assists licensed nurses with medical and psychiatric interventions, maintains records and logs, attends required meetings and training, participates in quality improvement, and complies with health, safety, and HIPAA requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
American Heart Association health care provider CPR certification upon hire or during orientation, renewed every two years.
Completion of Avade 2 restraint training within 30 days of hire.
Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly and concisely in English.
Effective interpersonal skills for respectful, culturally and age-appropriate communication with patients, staff, visitors, and others.
Effective problem-solving abilities for routine situations.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree.
Medical terminology knowledge and computer skills.
Two years of experience in a health-related field.

Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the mental health team and supports patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues.
Communicates patient observations and changes promptly to licensed nurses and records behavioral data in data sheets and the electronic medical record.
Performs patient safety checks and environmental safety rounds, uses fall-prevention devices or strategies as directed, and documents findings.
Uses de-escalation and calming strategies and follows restraint policy and training when caring for or assisting with a restrained patient.
Helps develop and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
Leads or co-leads goal-setting, dual-diagnosis, activity, and recreational groups, and supervises activities.
Assists with medical emergencies as directed by a licensed nurse and uses proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
Obtains and records vital signs and measures and records patients’ height and weight.
Performs assigned procedures, which may include EKGs, phlebotomy, and measuring intake and output.
Documents daily progress notes and group notes as assigned by a licensed nurse.
Assists licensed nurses with medical and psychiatric interventions as directed.
Provides personal care while supporting patients’ independent functioning in daily routines.
Reviews treatment plans with patients, provides feedback to the clinical team, and implements indicated treatment strategies.
Maintains logs and organizes patient care charts for admission, discharge, and transfer; maintains medical records as instructed.
Attends required staff meetings and in-service programs and keeps current with hospital and unit communications.
Participates in unit-based quality improvement initiatives and follows departmental policies, procedures, health and safety requirements, and HIPAA requirements.
Demonstrates respectful, professional conduct, maintains reliable attendance, and performs other similar duties as required or directed.