Mental Health Associate - SRN - Sharp Healthcare - Per Diem - Variable Shift

Sharp HealthCare•San Diego, CA

About The Position

The Mental Health Associate is a nursing caregiver who works under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. The role provides patient care in accordance with each patient's interdisciplinary plan of care (IPOC), hospital policies and procedures, and unit or program guidelines. The position is per diem with a variable shift.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One year of experience in an acute or chronic psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorder treatment setting.
AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals (AHA BLS Healthcare) certification from the American Heart Association; 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 healthcare-related field.

Responsibilities

Recognize signs and symptoms of psychiatric disorders and assist the Registered Nurse with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges.
Consider patients' age, cultural, psychosocial, and physical needs when providing care, and assist with activities of daily living as needed.
Perform other assigned patient-care tasks, such as collecting urine specimens and completing EKGs.
Observe and report significant changes in patients' behavior, mental status, or physical condition to the Registered Nurse.
Communicate with the responsible Registered Nurse about assigned patients throughout the shift and provide a complete report before the shift ends.
Document observed patient behaviors and collected data, including vital signs, height, weight, intake, output, and sleep patterns, according to approved guidelines.
Provide patient-centered care consistent with the Recovery Model; respond promptly and appropriately to patient, family, and visitor requests and concerns; and maintain appropriate boundaries.
Conduct psychoeducational groups, activity groups, and community meetings; assist with greeting, helping, and monitoring visitors.
Answer unit telephones, respond to questions, take messages, refer calls, and maintain the bed board as appropriate.
Inventory, order, and stock unit supplies; maintain forms and program materials; and 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 and 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; serve on unit and hospital committees and workgroups as assigned.
Observe and promptly report potentially unsafe patient behaviors, use approved de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques, and alert the Registered Nurse to safety hazards.
Use safe body mechanics.