Mental Health Specialist

WVU Medicine•Morgantown, WV

10d

About The Position

Responsible for delivering paraprofessional mental health care under direct supervision. The specialist supports clients in inpatient and community-based settings, contributing as an active member of the mental health team and following the master treatment plan. Care is provided with attention to client safety, rights, comfort, developmental age, and therapeutic goals. The role also includes basic medical tasks, assistance with activities of daily living, client transportation and supervision when needed, and organizing recreation and leisure activities.

Requirements

Obtain BLS certification within 30 days of hire.
State criminal background check and federal background check, if applicable, as required for regulated areas.
Two years of college study or two years of experience in inpatient acute psychiatric care.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work successfully under highly stressful conditions and adapt constantly to varying workloads and assignments.
Ability to make sound, independent judgments based on scientific principles and collaborate appropriately with multidisciplinary team members.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Social Work, or Nursing.
Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Facilitates or co-facilitates therapeutic groups.
Uses effective communication when collaborating with interdisciplinary team members and interacting therapeutically with clients and significant others.
Helps clients structure their lives in a therapeutic manner and provides community-based care that considers safety, patient rights, and comfort.
Uses the master treatment plan to identify and implement developmentally appropriate interventions; reinforces appropriate and prosocial behavior, sets consistent therapeutic limits, and uses de-escalation techniques when needed.
Implements appropriate interventions and documents clients’ responses in the medical record.
Recognizes thought patterns and behaviors associated with psychiatric diagnoses and developmental ages and intervenes appropriately according to the master treatment plan.
Provides assistance to clients’ family members and other supportive individuals in accordance with program standards.
Performs basic medical tasks, including obtaining and documenting vital signs, collecting urine and stool samples, weighing clients, witnessing controlled substance waste, and obtaining blood glucose levels; demonstrates willingness to learn additional tasks.
Assists clients with activities of daily living, including bathing, toileting, eating, and ambulation, as needed.
May transport and supervise clients to appointments and activities.
Organizes and facilitates recreation, physical fitness, and age-appropriate leisure activities.
Answers the phone and responds appropriately and professionally to all calls, including Helpline calls.