Mental Health Associate, 8 East, 40 Hours, Days

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Associate participates as a member of the mental health team on an inpatient and/or outpatient mental health unit. The role provides direct patient care, including treatment planning and implementation, documentation, milieu safety assessments, and group activities. This is a full-time day float position on 8 East, scheduled for 40 hours per week from 0700 to 1530, with every other weekend and every other holiday scheduled. The position is non-exempt and represented by SHARE (State Healthcare and Research Employees). A signing bonus may be available; eligibility is confirmed during the interview process. The associate supports patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues in delivering care and services. They communicate observations and changes to the Registered Nurse, contribute to a safe and therapeutic environment, help patients follow treatment plans, and assist with medical and psychiatric interventions as directed. The role includes maintaining patient and unit safety, supporting patients’ independence with personal care, leading or co-leading group and recreational activities, and completing required documentation and records. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, current Basic Life Support or Heart Saver certification within one month of employment, and one year of relevant patient support experience. Work is considered sedentary and takes place indoors in a normal patient care environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Current Basic Life Support or Heart Saver 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 clearly and concisely.
Effective interpersonal skills to provide respectful, culturally and age-appropriate communication with patients, staff, visitors, and others.
Effective problem-solving abilities for routine situations.
Ability to meet the position’s physical and environmental conditions: sedentary work indoors in a normal patient care environment.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree.
Medical terminology knowledge.
Computer skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the Mental Health Team and support patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues.
Communicate observations and changes in patients to the Registered Nurse in a clear and timely manner, and record behavioral data on appropriate forms.
Maintain patient safety through patient safety checks, environmental safety rounds, fall-prevention strategies as directed, de-escalation approaches, and compliance with restraint policy standards.
Contribute to the development and maintenance of a safe and therapeutic environment.
Lead or co-lead group activities, including goal-setting, dual-diagnosis, activity, and recreational groups; seek assistance for situations requiring more direction.
Assist in medical emergencies as directed by the Registered Nurse and use proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
Obtain and record vital signs; measure and record patient height and weight as assigned by the Registered Nurse.
Perform assigned tests and procedures, which may include EKGs, phlebotomy, and intake and output.
Document daily progress notes and group notes according to policy and Registered Nurse direction.
Assist the Registered Nurse with other medical and psychiatric interventions as directed.
Provide personal care as appropriate while supporting patients’ independent functioning in daily routines.
Use de-escalation interventions and, when needed, participate in restraints in accordance with training and education as directed.
Perform and document patient and unit safety checks as directed.
Review treatment plans with patients, provide feedback to the clinical team, and implement indicated treatment strategies.
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 informed about hospital and unit updates, including by reading communications and responding to UMMHC email regularly.
Comply with departmental policies, procedures, objectives, health and safety requirements, and applicable quality-improvement practices.
Demonstrate professionalism, respect, tolerance, civility, and acceptance toward employees, patients, and visitors; maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
Perform other similar and related duties as required or directed.