Mental Health Specialist/Safety

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center • Cumberland, MD

213d • $18 - $28

About The Position

UPMC Western Maryland is looking for Mental Health Specialist/Safety candidates to support our Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit. All shifts available; will include rotating weekends & holidays. The Mental Health Specialist/Safety will be responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment for patients experiencing emotional disturbance. Also assists with the specialized patient care needs of each individual patient using principles of adult development and knowledge of psychopathology.

Requirements

• Associate Degree with 2 years work experience within MH/MR service, OR Enrolled in Bachelor's degree program in associated field of study with 2 years of experience.
• Related work experience in hospital or community setting with psychiatric patients OR bachelor's degree in Human Services field.
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Responsibilities

• Adhere to established policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Develop supportive interpersonal relationships with individuals and groups of patients in accordance with treatment plan goals and that will continue the patient's development as an adult.
• Function within the philosophy of the Behavioral Health Center.
• Acknowledge the specific nature of the patient's dysfunction and considers the effect with community, caregivers, family members, and program staff.
• Contribute in the development and implementation of individualized patient care plans and assists in the integration into comprehensive treatment plans.
• Supervise and assist patients with personal hygiene tasks including bathing, dressing, eating, caring for clothing, and organizing personal belongings on a daily basis.
• Participate as a Treatment Team member in assessing the social and emotional needs of the patient.
• Assist in physical restraint techniques necessary in an attempt to control violent, combative patients and maintain a safe environment with respect to age-specific competencies and guidelines in conformance with seclusion and restraint policies and positive approaches training.
• Initiate debriefing sessions and provide feedback to staff after seclusion and restraint situations and any crisis situation.
• Assess for changes in patient behavior that may require a 1:1 interaction to provide early intervention.
• Document patient encounters in medical record/progress note.
• Engage/encourage patients to participate in a safety related group/activity.
• Assist with Mental Health Hearing process based on staffing needs.
• Meet and greet ambulance personnel bringing admissions.
• Assure commitment documentation is complete.
• Monitor visiting hour activity assuring no visiting takes place in patient rooms, no contraband is passed off by visitors to patients, and milieu remains calm.
• Demonstrate knowledge of each patient as an individual within the framework of the family.
• Plan and participate in educational, social, and recreational activities for individuals and groups of patients in accordance with treatment plan goals.
• Conduct proactive safety rounds throughout the units, monitoring the milieu.
• Conduct Environmental Safety Rounds each shift and document/report any unsafe conditions as well as any security violations.
• Monitor the milieu for any safety concerns or risks.
• Provide assistance as requested to clinical staff in the care and safety of patients, staff, or visitors.
• Respond to all Condition M calls in a professional manner with respect to age-specific guidelines and competencies.
• Provide trainings in safety issues specific to the needs of the units based on specific need of patients and staff.
• Assist in investigating reports of incidents to include patient related issues, and any other areas considered to be of importance in the day-to-day operation of the unit.

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Hospitals
• Education Level: Associate degree