Mental Health Specialist - Older Adult Unit

Mass General Brigham•Belmont, CA

23h•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 on the Older Adult Unit (SB1). This unit provides care for adults ages 50 and older who are struggling with depression, anxiety, neurocognitive disorders, and related symptoms and conditions. The MHS assists the RN in providing direct patient care, including accurate and timely documentation, establishing therapeutic relationships with patients, participating in patient rounds, and completing patient care assignments. The role involves identifying patient behaviors that contribute to crisis development, utilizing de-escalation techniques, and intervening in complex patient situations while promoting least restrictive alternatives. Communication of patient status changes to the RN, adherence to Standards of Care and protocols, and remaining alert are essential. The MHS also performs Point of Care testing, works effectively in the therapeutic milieu, and participates in the planning and implementation of patient groups, recreation, and other off-hall activities. Providing direction, support, and supervision to patients, following nursing policies and procedures, and actively assessing the milieu for safety concerns are key responsibilities. Additionally, the MHS participates in maintaining the unit environment, reporting house cleaning and equipment problems, and assisting with inventory management and supplies. They also initiate activities to help patients maintain a clean environment and promote an organized, safe patient and staff environment, and assist patients with activities of daily living.

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.
Verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work in collaboration with others.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assists the RN in providing direct patient care.
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.
Active 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.