Mental Health Specialist - Psychotic Disorders

Mass General Brigham•Belmont, CA

19h•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. This role is crucial for assisting the RN in delivering patient care, establishing therapeutic relationships, participating in patient rounds, and managing crisis situations. The MHS is responsible for completing patient care assignments, identifying behaviors that contribute to crises, and utilizing de-escalation techniques. They intervene in complex patient situations, promote least restrictive alternatives, and communicate changes in patient status to the RN. The MHS follows established Standards of Care, protocols, and nursing policies, remaining alert at all times. They also perform Point of Care testing, work effectively in the therapeutic milieu by participating in patient groups, and provide and supervise recreation and other off-hall activities. Additionally, the MHS offers patients direction, support, and supervision as needed, conducts active milieu assessments with a focus on safety, and participates in maintaining a safe unit environment. This includes reporting housekeeping and equipment problems, participating in inventory management, and initiating activities to maintain a clean and organized environment for patients and staff. The MHS also assists patients with activities of daily living, hygiene needs, and nutritional needs, and provides reassurance during tests, exams, and procedures. They escort and supervise patients on and off grounds, ensuring patient safety. A commitment to professional growth and competency is expected, including completing mandatory in-service requirements, identifying areas for development, maintaining age-specific treatment competency, and seeking feedback from peers and colleagues. Participation in critical incident debriefing is also required.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent required
One year of clinical experience, preferably in a psychiatric setting
Verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work in collaboration with others.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Assists the RN in providing direct patient care, including accurate and timely documentation of AFS, progress notes, and observation sheets.
Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
Participates in patient rounds or teams.
Completes patient care assignments.
Identifies patient behaviors that contribute to the development of a crisis and utilizes non-verbal and verbal techniques to de-escalate crisis situations.
Intervenes in managing complex patient situations and patient schedules, utilizing department policies and procedures and always promoting the least restrictive alternatives.
Communicates changes in patient status to the 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, including participating 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.
Provides 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 housekeeping problems to the Unit Secretary/ND.
Identifies and reports equipment problems to the 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.
Identifies patient hygiene needs and initiates and implements interventions to meet these needs.
Provides for patients’ nutritional needs according to unit procedure.
Assists and reassures patients during tests, exams, and procedures.
Escorts and supervises patients on and off ground, maintaining patient safety.
Maintains a commitment to professional growth and competency.
Completes mandatory in-service requirements.
Identifies areas of strength and areas in need of professional development with supervisor.
Maintains competency for treating age-specific patient populations.
Seeks constructive feedback regarding work performance from peers and professional colleagues.
Participates in critical incident debriefing.