Mental Health Associate - ECT and Inpatient - Full time - Day Shift

Meritus Health • Hagerstown, MD

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment for serious mental health conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, and some forms of psychosis—especially when other treatments haven't been effective. Patients are given short-acting anesthesia and a muscle relaxant, and a small, carefully monitored electrical stimulus is delivered to the brain to produce a brief therapeutic seizure. This process helps improve brain function and can significantly reduce severe symptoms. The procedure is safe, closely monitored, and evidence-based, and most patients wake up within minutes and recover in a supervised area before returning to their unit or going home the same day. Mental Health Associates assist patients in ECT before, during, and after treatment. Before ECT Treatment Escort patients to ECT Verify patient identity and treatment schedule Take and document vital signs Ensure NPO status (nothing by mouth) is followed During the ECT Process Assisting with safe patient positioning and transfers Helping manage patient flow in pre-op and recovery areas Observing patients for anxiety, agitation, or confusion Supporting nurses, psychiatrists, and anesthesia staff as needed After ECT (Recovery Phase) Monitor patients for post-anesthesia confusion , disorientation, or agitation Recheck and document vital signs Ensure patient safety (fall precautions) Escort patients back to inpatient units or discharge areas INPATIENT UNITS: Position Summary: The Mental Health Associate provides direct care and therapeutic support to patients of all ages in a psychiatric setting. This role involves observing and documenting patient behavior, maintaining a safe and structured environment, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to promote patient well-being. The associate plays a key role in fostering a therapeutic milieu and supporting program activities. MHA's are cross trained in the Adult and Child/ Adolescent Units.

Requirements

• High school diploma required
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions using sound judgment
• Legally licensed to operate hospital vehicles
• Basic to moderate computer skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Current BLS (CPR) certification in compliance with policy
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record preferred (no moving violations in the past three years)
• Annual submission of certified driving record required on date of birth
• Signed acknowledgment of “Attestation A” of Meritus Vehicle Management Use and Control policy

Nice To Haves

• bachelor's degree in a social science preferred
• Prior mental health experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality in all patient interactions and documentation
• Provide direct patient care with attention to safety, comfort, and therapeutic engagement
• Observe and report patient behavior to clinical staff; document in progress notes
• Respond appropriately to patient needs and behavioral interventions
• Build cooperative relationships with staff, patients, and families
• Demonstrate leadership and empathy in daily interactions
• Implement structured programming using the Theme of the Day concept
• Support and maintain a therapeutic environment on psychiatric units
• Assist in training and orienting new employees
• Modify interventions to be age-appropriate for each patient and family situation
• Enforce unit rules and organizational policies assertively and respectfully
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
• Escort patients to ECT
• Verify patient identity and treatment schedule
• Take and document vital signs
• Ensure NPO status (nothing by mouth) is followed
• Assisting with safe patient positioning and transfers
• Helping manage patient flow in pre-op and recovery areas
• Observing patients for anxiety, agitation, or confusion
• Supporting nurses, psychiatrists, and anesthesia staff as needed
• Monitor patients for post-anesthesia confusion , disorientation, or agitation
• Recheck and document vital signs
• Ensure patient safety (fall precautions)
• Escort patients back to inpatient units or discharge areas

Benefits

• health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, & short and long-term disability coverage
• Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one
• 401k plan
• an education assistance program
• an employee assistance program
• employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees