Mental Health Specialist - Neuropsychiatry Unit

Mass General Brigham•Belmont, MA

4d•$22 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Neuropsychiatry Unit (SB2) at McLean Hospital is a specialty care program for dementia and cognitive impairments. This role involves providing direct patient care and participating in a therapeutic milieu under the direction of a Registered Nurse. The Mental Health Specialist will assist the RN in patient care, establish therapeutic relationships, participate in patient rounds, complete assignments, identify and de-escalate crisis situations, manage complex patient situations, communicate changes in patient status, follow standards of care, remain alert, and perform Point of Care testing. Additionally, the role includes participating in group planning and implementation, providing and supervising activities, offering patient direction and support, following nursing policies, and assessing the milieu for safety concerns. The position also involves maintaining a safe unit environment by reporting maintenance and supply issues, and assisting patients with activities of daily living, including hygiene and nutrition. A commitment to professional growth, including completing in-service requirements, identifying development needs, maintaining age-specific competency, seeking feedback, and participating in de-briefings, is expected.

Requirements

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

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.