Mental Health Specialist - Community Reintegration

Mass General Brigham•Belmont, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, the Mental Health Specialist (MHS) provides direct patient care and participates in the therapeutic milieu. This role involves accurate and timely documentation, establishing therapeutic relationships with patients while maintaining professional boundaries, and participating in patient rounds or teams. The MHS completes patient care assignments, identifies behaviors that may lead to a crisis, and utilizes de-escalation techniques. They intervene in managing complex patient situations and schedules, promoting least restrictive alternatives, and communicating changes in patient status to the RN. The position requires adherence to Standards of Care and protocols, remaining alert at all times, and performing Point of Care testing. The MHS works effectively in the therapeutic milieu, participates in planning and implementing patient groups, and provides and supervises recreation and other off-hall activities. They offer patients direction, support, and supervision as needed, and follow established Nursing policies and procedures. Additionally, the role includes maintaining the unit environment for safe care, identifying and reporting house cleaning and equipment problems, participating in the unit’s inventory system, and initiating activities to maintain a clean and organized environment. The MHS also assists patients with activities of daily living, including hygiene and nutritional needs, and reassures patients during tests, exams, and procedures. Escorting and supervising patients on and off grounds while maintaining safety is also a key responsibility. The role requires a commitment to professional growth and competency, including completing mandatory in-service requirements, identifying areas for professional development, maintaining competency for treating age-specific patient populations, seeking constructive feedback, and participating in critical incident de-briefing.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent required
One year of clinical experience, preferably in a psychiatric setting
Must complete and pass Epic training within 30 days of hire.
Successful passing (80% or higher) of Epic training modules(s) is a minimum requirement of the job.

Nice To Haves

1-2 years preferred clinical experience
Previous experience in direct patient care preferred

Responsibilities

Accurate and timely documentation of AFS, progress notes, and observation sheets.
Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients, maintaining professional boundaries.
Participates in patient rounds or teams.
Completes patient care assignments.
Identifies patient behaviors that contribute to the development of a crisis; utilizes non-verbal and verbal techniques to de-escalate crisis situation.
Intervenes in managing complex patient situations and patient schedules, utilizing department policies and procedures, always promoting the least restrictive alternatives.
Communicates changes in patient status to RN.
Follows Standards of Care and protocols for assigned patients.
Remains awake and alert at all times while on the job.
Performs Point of Care testing (POC).
Works effectively in the therapeutic milieu.
Participates in planning and implementation of patient groups.
Provides and supervises recreation and other off-hall activities according to needs.
Provides patients with direction, support, and supervision as needed.
Follows established Nursing policies, procedures, and protocols.
Performs a milieu assessment while assigned to checks, particularly attuned to safety concerns.
Participates in the maintenance of the unit environment to ensure safe care.
Identifies and reports house cleaning problems to Unit Secretary/ND.
Identifies and reports equipment problems to Unit Secretary/ND.
Participates in the unit’s inventory system, reporting when supplies are low.
Initiates activities that assist patients in maintaining a clean environment.
Initiates activities that promote an organized, safe patient and staff environment.
Assists patients in their activities of daily living.
Identifies patient hygiene needs; initiates and implements interventions to meet these needs.
Provides for patients’ nutritional needs according to unit procedure.
Assists and reassures patients during tests, exams, and procedures.
Escorts and supervises patients on and off ground, maintaining patient safety.
Completes mandatory in-service requirements.
Identifies areas of strengths and areas in need of professional development with supervisor.
Maintains competency for treating age-specific patient populations.
Seeks constructive feedback, regarding work performance, from peers and professional colleagues.
Participates in critical incident de-briefing.