Mental Health Specialist (nights)

The Menninger Clinic•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This role focuses on providing direct patient care and support within a mental health setting. The specialist will be responsible for maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, assisting patients with daily living activities, and facilitating their progress towards treatment goals. The position requires active participation in therapeutic activities and continuous learning.

Requirements

High School Diploma
License to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Texas.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a mental health-related field
Commensurate work experience (3 or more years in mental health care role) in lieu of completed degree
Prior experience in a mental health setting

Responsibilities

Promote and maintain a safe environment conducive to healing and health promotion.
Conduct patient environmental and safety rounds.
Report patient and staff safety concerns to the charge nurse or supervisor.
Demonstrate an understanding of the need for situation monitoring and awareness to provide a continually safe environment.
Maintain a clean, orderly environment.
Establish therapeutic relationships with patients.
Provide effective and therapeutic limit setting with patients, seeking team alliance and input as needed.
Provide direct patient care and in activities of daily living in a goal-directed manner consistent with the assigned program and plan of care.
Collect focused data to contribute to the assessment of individual strengths and limitations.
Directly assist patients with showering, oral hygiene, laundry and other activities of daily living as needed.
Assure orientation of newly admitted patients to the program.
Reinforce treatment structures for individual patients as indicated.
Provide input to the patient‘s assigned nurse and other healthcare professionals assigned to the patient regarding patient’s progress towards treatment goals.
Serve as a patient advocate.
Initiate and maintain a supportive relationship with patients; facilitate the development of appropriate behaviors, self-expression, and social interaction.
Actively encourage patient participation in assigned activities and scheduled meetings.
Assist patients to utilize free time in a healthy manner.
Initiate interactions in a supportive and therapeutic manner.
Escort patients to on and off ground appointments in accordance with Menninger policy.
Supervise patients on and off grounds during leisure time outings in accordance with program structure and Menninger policy.
Actively participate, lead or co-lead in psycho-educational groups with patients as assigned.
Regularly perform assigned rounds in accordance with Menninger policy.
Maintain professional boundaries and confidences with patients and staff.
Demonstrate good judgment and appropriate behavior for the clinical setting including characteristics such as grooming, personal appearance, speech and hygiene.
Actively participate in unit and system wide committees.
Attend in-services provided at TMC.
Complete all annual training.