Mental Health Associate, Adult Psychiatric Unit (Inpatient) - Harrington, Webster Campus - 24 hours, 2:45p-11:15p

UMass Memorial Health•Webster, MA

21d•$15 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

Participates as a member of the mental health team on an inpatient adult psychiatric unit, providing direct patient care that supports treatment planning, implementation, documentation, and milieu safety. The role serves patients, families, nurses, physicians, and other colleagues while helping maintain a safe and therapeutic care environment. The Mental Health Associate communicates observations and patient changes to licensed nurses; performs and documents safety checks; uses de-escalation strategies; supports group and recreational activities; obtains and records vital signs, height, and weight; and performs assigned procedures such as EKGs or phlebotomy. The role also assists with personal care, medical and psychiatric interventions, treatment-plan implementation, patient records, and unit quality-improvement efforts. Work is indoors in a normal patient-care environment and is considered sedentary. This is a 24-hour-per-week position scheduled for the evening shift, 2:45 p.m.–11:15 p.m., with every other weekend and every other holiday. The hiring range is $15.00–$27.74, based on a 40-hour full-time schedule; part-time compensation is prorated based on scheduled hours and other factors. A signing bonus may be available, with eligibility confirmed during the interview process.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent.
American Heart Association certification for healthcare-provider CPR upon hire or during orientation, with renewal every two years.
Complete Avade 2 (restraint) training within 30 days of hire.
Ability to read, write, and communicate in English clearly and concisely.
Effective interpersonal skills to communicate respectfully and in a culturally and age-appropriate manner with patients, staff, visitors, and others.
Effective problem-solving abilities for routine situations.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree.
Medical terminology knowledge and computer skills.
Two years of experience in a health-related field.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the Mental Health Team and support patients, families, nurses, physicians, and colleagues involved in care delivery.
Communicate observations and patient changes clearly and promptly to licensed nurses, and record behavioral data in the appropriate forms and electronic medical record.
Maintain patient and unit safety through patient safety checks, environmental safety rounds, and directed fall-prevention strategies.
Use de-escalation and calming strategies and follow restraint-policy standards when caring for restrained patients; participate in restraints as directed and in accordance with training.
Help develop and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
Lead or co-lead group activities and structure and supervise recreational activities; seek assistance from identified resources when needed.
Assist with medical emergencies as directed by a licensed nurse and use proper safety techniques and body mechanics.
Obtain and record vital signs and measure and record patients’ height and weight.
Perform assigned procedures, which may include EKGs, phlebotomy, and measuring intake and output.
Document daily progress notes and group notes as assigned by a licensed nurse.
Assist licensed nurses with other medical and psychiatric interventions as directed.
Provide appropriate personal care while supporting patients’ independent functioning in daily routines.
Review and follow treatment plans with patients, provide feedback to the clinical team, and implement special treatment strategies as indicated.
Maintain logs, organize patient-care charts for admission, discharge, and transfer, and maintain medical records as instructed.
Attend required staff meetings and in-service programs; keep current with hospital and unit communications, including UMMHC emails.
Participate in unit-based quality-improvement initiatives and apply quality improvement in daily operations.
Comply with departmental policies and objectives, health and safety regulations, HIPAA requirements, and applicable standards of respect and professionalism.
Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance and perform other similar duties as required or directed.