Mental Health Specialist - Neuropsychiatry Unit
About The Position
The Neuropsychiatry Unit (SB2) at McLean Hospital is a specialty care program for dementia and cognitive impairments. 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, managing patient behaviors, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment. The MHS also plays a role in maintaining the unit environment, assisting patients with daily living activities, and committing to professional growth.
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 clinical experience
- Previous experience in direct patient care preferred
Responsibilities
- Assists the RN in providing direct patient care.
- Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients, maintaining professional boundaries.
- Participates in patient rounds or teams.
- Completes patient care assignments.
- Identifies patient behaviors that contribute to the development of a crisis; 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, always promoting the least restrictive alternatives.
- Communicates changes in patient status to 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).
- Participates 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.
- Active milieu assessment while assigned to checks, particularly attuned to safety concerns.
- Identifies and reports house cleaning problems to Unit Secretary/ND.
- Identifies and reports equipment problems to 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.
- Identifies patient hygiene needs; 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.
- Completes mandatory in-service requirements.
- Identifies areas of strengths 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 de-briefing.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits
- Career advancement opportunities
- Differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable
- Recognition programs
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
