Mental Health Associate TNP BU - Locked Recovery Unit North - Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital - Part Time - Night Shift

Sharp HealthCare•San Diego, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Associate is a nursing caregiver who works under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse to provide patient care in accordance with each patient's interdisciplinary plan of care (IPOC), hospital policies and procedures, and unit or program guidelines. The role is part-time on the Locked Recovery Unit North at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, with an overnight shift from 11:00 PM to 7:30 AM and an every-other-weekend requirement. On-call work is not required. The position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with SEIU-UHW; employees must join the union within 31 days of hire and remain a member for the agreement’s duration. The associate supports basic nursing and mental health care, documents and communicates patient observations, provides patient-centered care grounded in the Recovery Model, and helps maintain a safe, organized unit. The role also includes unit support tasks, such as assisting with supplies and equipment, coordinating service needs, and orienting new or floated staff.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One year of experience in an acute or chronic psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorder treatment setting.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals (AHA BLS Healthcare) certification is required.
Ability to speak, write, and comprehend medical terminology in English.
Excellent verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of the biopsychosocial needs of psychiatric patients.
Knowledge and skills necessary to provide basic nursing care and mental health care to acute psychiatric patients.

Nice To Haves

Some college coursework in Psychology, Sociology, Communication, Nursing, or another health-care-related field.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of signs and symptoms of psychiatric disorders.
Assist the R.N. with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
Consider patients’ age, cultural, psychosocial, and physical needs when providing care.
Assist patients with activities of daily living as needed, including bathing, feeding, and laundry.
Perform other assigned patient-care nursing tasks, such as collecting urine specimens and completing EKGs.
Observe and report significant changes in patients’ behavior, mental status, and physical condition to the R.N.
Maintain ongoing communication with the responsible R.N. about assigned patients and provide a complete report before the end of each shift.
Document observed patient behaviors and collected data, such as vital signs, height, weight, intake, output, and sleep patterns, according to approved guidelines.
Provide patient-centered care consistent with the principles of the Recovery Model.
Respond appropriately and promptly to patient, family, and visitor requests and concerns, while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Conduct psychoeducational groups, activity groups, and community meetings.
Assist with greeting, assisting, and monitoring visitors.
Answer unit telephones, respond to questions, take and refer messages, and maintain the bed board as appropriate.
Inventory, order, and stock unit supplies; maintain supplies of forms and program materials.
Coordinate maintenance of computers and other equipment.
Coordinate unit service needs with internal departments and external services, including translation and transportation.
Assist nurses in contacting physicians when needed.
Help keep the nursing station and unit environment neat, clean, and organized.
Provide other assigned support, including mail distribution and generating reports.
Orient and mentor new hires and floated staff members to the unit and program.
Serve on assigned unit and hospital committees and workgroups.
Observe and promptly report potentially unsafe patient behaviors according to approved observation protocols.
Use approved de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to manage patients exhibiting agitated, aggressive, or self-harming behaviors.
Monitor the unit environment and immediately alert the R.N. to identified safety hazards.
Understand and use safe body mechanics.