Mental Health Associate

Prime Healthcare•Boonton Township, NJ

About The Position

The Mental Health Associate - Inpatient assists licensed nursing staff in providing and documenting patient care under the direction and supervision of the Charge RN, RN, or LVN. The role provides basic nursing care and support with activities of daily living for children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. It also involves therapeutic interventions, including group therapy, one-on-one counseling, and crisis intervention. The associate helps maintain a safe, therapeutic, and clean environment; contributes to the interdisciplinary care team; and communicates relevant patient information to the supervising RN. The role includes assigned clerical duties, group modalities, individual observations, and emotional support for patients. The associate monitors patients’ progress and compliance with treatment plans and provides relevant information during team meetings. Responsibilities must be performed in accordance with Nursing Structure Standards, hospital and nursing policies, and applicable state regulatory and accrediting requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Current BCLS (AHA) certification within 30 days of hire and maintained thereafter.
Behavioral Violence Prevention training within six months of hire and maintained annually.

Nice To Haves

One year of prior mental health experience.
Familiarity with medical and psychological terminology.

Responsibilities

Assist licensed nursing staff with providing and documenting patient care, including activities of daily living, under the direction and supervision of the Charge RN, RN, or LVN.
Perform therapeutic interventions, such as group therapy, one-on-one counseling, and crisis intervention.
Support unit functions and maintain a safe, therapeutic, and clean environment for patients, visitors, and coworkers.
Participate as an integral member of the interdisciplinary care team and communicate pertinent patient information to the supervising RN.
Perform assigned clerical duties and provide basic nursing care to children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients.
Use education to provide designated group modalities and individual observations that help patients learn coping skills, identify relationship conflicts, and develop conflict-resolution strategies.
Provide emotional support by listening to patients’ concerns, empathizing with their feelings, and helping them find solutions to problems.
Monitor patients’ progress and compliance with treatment plans and provide pertinent information at team meetings.
Perform responsibilities in accordance with Nursing Structure Standards, hospital and nursing policies, and state regulatory and accrediting requirements.