Mental Health Worker I

State of Maine • Bangor, ME

2d • $23 - $26

About The Position

This is paraprofessional support work involving the direct care, rehabilitation, and behavior modification of patients in state institutions. Responsibilities include implementing programs in the treatment or education of the mentally ill or developmentally disabled, providing direct patient care, and maintaining resident areas. Employees may act as group leader or primary aide over an assigned group of patients. Work is performed under general supervision. Agency information: Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) is a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving the entire State of Maine that provides services for people with severe mental illness. As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

Requirements

• Knowledge of basic psychiatric and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of standards of care for mentally ill or developmentally disabled patients.
• Knowledge of basic health and safety needs.
• Ability to recognize, identify, and respond to residents' physical and emotional needs.
• Ability to serve as a role model for appropriate behavior.
• Ability to maintain a rehabilitative attitude and relationship with patients.
• Ability to relate to patients and co-workers in a positive empathetic fashion.
• Ability to respond to supervision and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to perform routine manual tasks and primary patient care services.
• Ability to express thoughts clearly and accurately.
• Ability to assess and make limited judgments about patient care.
• Ability to lift patients, when required.
• High School Diploma or equivalent and completion of a Department approved training program or current valid certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant as issued by Maine Department of Education.
• Certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) as issued by the Maine Department of Education or completion of a Department approved training program.

Responsibilities

• Observes and records patient behavior and submits observations to treatment team in order to assist in the development of individual treatment plan (ITP).
• Implements specific treatment programs of remotivation and resocialization training for patients in order to provide direct care to residents.
• Responds to and interacts with patients, intervening when necessary, in order to provide a role model of appropriate behavior.
• Talks to and contacts family or outside agencies as delegated by supervisor in order to relay information or make arrangements for aspects of patient treatment.
• Guides, trains, and motivates patients in daily living and work activities such as maintaining their own living area and personal hygiene in order to develop individual skills.
• Prepares and dispenses medication under supervision of Registered Nurse (RN) in order to ensure patients receive proper medication on time.
• Takes and records vital signs in order to document patient condition and keep accurate records.
• Administers minor first aid to patients in order to take care of emergencies.
• Changes bed linens and clothing; and sorts, counts, distributes, and collects clean and/or soiled linen and clothing in order to maintain patients living areas.
• Distributes and serves food, maintains food serving and dining areas, and picks up trays in order to ensure patients are properly fed and established cleanliness and sanitary standards are met.
• Observes habitual conduct of patients and reports to supervisor in order to advise of any change in behavior.
• Writes records and other papers in order to document patient treatment and progress.
• Cleans, dusts, mops, and vacuums activity and patient living areas in order to ensure proper standards of cleanliness.
• Washes and bathes patients in order to ensure residents are kept clean.
• Participates in in-service training programs in order to develop skills and knowledges and enhance effectiveness.

Benefits

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.09% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing parents and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees