Mental Health Specialist

WVU Medicine•Morgantown, WV

About The Position

The Mental Health Specialist delivers paraprofessional mental health care under direct supervision. The role supports clients in inpatient settings and in community-based homes and living spaces, following the master treatment plan and program standards. The specialist contributes to therapeutic care while considering clients’ developmental ages, safety, rights, and comfort. The position is scheduled for 24 hours per week on the day shift in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Requirements

Obtain BLS certification within 30 days of hire.
Complete state criminal background check and federal background check, if applicable, as required for regulated areas.
Have two years of college study or two years of experience in inpatient acute psychiatric care.
Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills.
Be able to work successfully under highly stressful conditions and adapt constantly to varying workloads and assignments.
Be able 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

Facilitate or co-facilitate therapeutic group processes.
Use effective communication when collaborating with interdisciplinary team members and interacting therapeutically with clients and significant others.
Help clients structure their lives therapeutically and provide community-based care that considers safety, patient rights, and comfort.
Use the master treatment plan to identify and implement developmentally appropriate interventions, reinforce appropriate and prosocial behavior, set therapeutic limits, identify cues for potential aggression, and apply de-escalation techniques.
Implement appropriate interventions and document clients’ responses in the medical record.
Identify thought patterns and behaviors associated with psychiatric diagnoses and developmental ages, and intervene appropriately using the master treatment plan.
Assist clients’ family members and other supportive individuals in accordance with program standards.
Perform 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; demonstrate willingness to learn additional tasks.
Assist clients with activities of daily living, including bathing, toileting, eating, and ambulation, as needed.
May transport and supervise clients to appointments and activities.
Organize and facilitate recreation, physical fitness, and age-appropriate leisure activities.
Answer the phone and respond to all calls, including Helpline calls, appropriately and professionally.