Mental Health Associate, 8 East, 40 Hours, Days
About The Position
Participates as a member of the mental health team on an inpatient and/or outpatient mental health unit. Provides direct patient care, including treatment planning, implementing plans, documentation, milieu safety assessments, and activities such as group activities. This is a full-time day float position in a normal indoor patient-care environment. The schedule is 40 hours per week, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., with every other weekend and every other holiday. The role is non-exempt and represented by SHARE. A signing bonus may be available; eligibility is confirmed by the Recruitment Team during the interview process. The Mental Health Associate serves patients, families, nurses, physicians, and colleagues as part of the mental health team. The position supports patient safety, therapeutic care, clinical documentation, personal care, and routine medical and psychiatric interventions under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The work is considered sedentary.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Current Basic Life Support or Heart Saver certification required within one month as a condition of employment.
- At least one year of relevant patient support experience.
- Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly and concisely in English.
- Effective interpersonal skills to communicate respectfully and in a culturally and age-appropriate manner with patients, staff, visitors, and others.
- Effective problem-solving abilities in routine situations.
- Ability to use appropriate safety techniques and body mechanics in work-related activities.
Nice To Haves
- Associate degree.
- Medical terminology knowledge and computer skills.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a member of the Mental Health Team and support patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues involved in care delivery.
- Communicate observations and patient changes clearly and promptly to the Registered Nurse, and record behavioral data on appropriate data sheets.
- Maintain patient safety through safety checks and environmental rounds; use directed fall-prevention strategies, de-escalation tools, and calming strategies; and follow restraint policy when caring for restrained patients.
- Help develop and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
- Lead or co-lead goal-setting, dual-diagnosis, and other activity groups; structure and supervise recreational activities; and seek assistance when routine situations require additional direction.
- Assist during medical emergencies as directed by the Registered Nurse and use appropriate safety techniques and body mechanics.
- Obtain and record vital signs, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry; measure and record height and weight as assigned by the Registered Nurse.
- Perform tests and procedures as assigned by the Registered Nurse, which may include EKGs, phlebotomy, and intake and output.
- Document daily progress notes and group notes in accordance with policy and Registered Nurse direction.
- Assist the Registered Nurse with other medical and psychiatric interventions as directed.
- Provide appropriate personal care while supporting patients’ independent functioning in daily routines.
- Use interventions to de-escalate patients and, if unsuccessful, participate in restraints in accordance with training and education and as directed.
- Perform and document patient and unit safety checks as directed.
- Review treatment plans with patients, provide feedback to the clinical team about implementation, and implement special treatment strategies specified in the plan.
- Maintain logs, organize patient care charts for admission, discharge, and transfer, and maintain medical records as instructed.
- Attend required or directed staff meetings and in-service programs; stay current with hospital and unit changes through communications and regularly read and respond to UMMHC emails.
- Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, health and safety requirements, and attendance expectations.
- Attend required or directed meetings, conferences, and seminars; apply quality improvement in daily work; and contribute to a professional, respectful, tolerant, civil, and accepting environment.
- Perform other similar and related duties as required or directed.
Benefits
- A signing bonus may be available, subject to eligibility confirmation by the Recruitment Team.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
