Marshall I. Pickens Mental Health Specialist PRN

Prisma Health•Greenville, SC

22d

About The Position

Performs direct patient care duties as assigned or delegated by the Charge Nurse to meet the physical, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of psychiatric and/or chemically dependent patients. Provides care to voluntary and involuntary patients of all ages, applying knowledge of population-specific developmental tasks gained through training and experience. Performs basic nursing activities and other clinical responsibilities as delegated and appropriate to the patient population served.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, or a post-secondary degree in a related field of study.
No previous experience required.

Nice To Haves

Acute inpatient hospital care or long-term care experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized, age-appropriate care to psychiatric and/or chemically dependent patients while supporting safety, comfort, and a therapeutic environment.
Use active and reflective listening and a caring, therapeutic manner when interacting with patients.
Interact with and assess assigned patients for level of functioning and mental status.
Observe, collect, and communicate relevant patient information verbally and through the medical record; document care promptly, legibly, and accurately according to hospital and unit procedures.
Monitor patients’ distress, anxiety, and agitation to reduce or prevent incidents; respond to crises and codes using de-escalation and de-stimulation techniques.
Attend and/or facilitate therapeutic groups and psycho-educational programs, using appropriate psycho-therapeutic techniques and mental health principles.
Protect patient confidentiality, privacy, and dignity through sound judgment.
Build positive relationships with team members, communicate effectively, and respond promptly and appropriately to inquiries and requests from patients, physicians, and staff.
Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment programs and suggest improvements to unit and facility processes.
Follow departmental policies and procedures and maintain quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards.
Inform the Charge Nurse or direct supervisor about activities, issues, or concerns that may affect patient safety or the therapeutic milieu.
Collect and document vital signs, weigh patients, and collect routine urine, clean-catch urine, stool, sputum, and other specimens as assigned.
Perform point-of-care testing when trained and delegated by an RN; document activities in the medical record and inform the RN of work performed.
Attend staff meetings, annual in-services, and mandatory educational experiences; stay informed about current psychiatric issues and methods.
Perform other duties as assigned.