Mental Health Associate, Emergency Mental Health, 32 Hours, Evening

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

3d•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 Mental Health Associate provides direct patient care, including treatment planning, implementing plans, documentation, and milieu safety assessments and activities such as group activities. The role involves serving both internal and external customers, including patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues. Clear and timely communication with the Registered Nurse (R.N.) regarding patient observations and changes is essential. The associate is responsible for maintaining patient safety through checks and rounds, utilizing de-escalation techniques, and following restraint policies when necessary. Participation in the development and maintenance of a safe and therapeutic environment is key. The role may include leading or co-leading group activities and assisting in medical emergencies as directed by the R.N. Responsibilities also include obtaining vital signs, performing tests and procedures like EKGs and phlebotomy, documenting progress and group notes, assisting the R.N. with interventions, providing personal care, and reviewing treatment plans with patients. Maintaining logs, organizing patient care charts, and attending staff meetings and in-service programs are also part of the role. Standard staffing level responsibilities include complying with departmental policies, attending meetings, demonstrating quality improvement, adhering to safety regulations, respecting diverse views, maintaining attendance, and performing other related duties.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current Basic Life Support or Heart Savor certification required within one month as a condition of employment
One year of relevant patient support experience.
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

Associates Degree
Medical terminology and computer skills

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 Registered Nurse (R.N.) regarding observations and changes seen in the patient. Records behavioral data on appropriate data sheets.
Maintains patient safety by performing patient safety checks, environmental safety rounds, utilizing fall prevention alternative devices/strategies as directed utilizing de-escalation and calming tools and strategies with anxious patients and following 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 R.N. Utilizes proper safety techniques and body mechanic in all work-related activities.
Obtains and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, and respiration, blood pressure and pulse oxymetry). Measures and records patients’ height and weight as assigned by R.N.
Performs a variety of test and procedures which may include but not limited to EKGs, phlebotomy, and intake and output as assigned by R.N.
Documents daily progress notes, and group notes (per policy) and as assigned by R.N.
Assists the R.N. 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 unit 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 and/or books, emails, bulletin boards, posted notices and reads and responds to UMMHC e mails on a regular basis.
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.