MENTAL HEALTH WORKER

State of careers Rhode Island•Benton Township, PA

9d•$54,686 - $61,176•Onsite

About The Position

Within Rhode Island State Psychiatric Hospital, the Mental Health Worker provides direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic treatment setting. The role promotes a therapeutic milieu while providing custody and supervision consistent with nursing care and treatment plans. The employee works under the supervision of a registered nurse, receives assignments in outline form, and has work reviewed for effectiveness and conformance with hospital standards, policies, and procedures. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. The work includes supporting patients’ daily living and treatment needs; observing and reporting behavioral and physical health changes; maintaining safety, security, cleanliness, and infection-control practices; assisting with treatment plans and therapeutic activities; and collaborating with nurses and other treatment-team members. The position is a float role scheduled 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., including every other weekend and days off as assigned, for a standard 40-hour workweek. Candidates must meet physical fitness, agility, lifting, vision, and hearing standards and pass a medical examination. Employment also requires proof of specified immunities or titers, a Tuberculin Skin Test, and an N-95 respirator fit test.

Requirements

Possession of an associate’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Behavioral Science, or a substantially equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
One year of employment in a private or public hospital or clinical program involving participation in the care, custody, treatment, and rehabilitation of severely and chronically mentally disabled persons, or substantially equivalent education and experience.
Working knowledge of practices, methods, and techniques for custody, care, and treatment of psychiatric patients, including those with mental and developmental disabilities, in a forensic setting.
Ability to apply basic first aid, housekeeping, patient personal-needs and activities-of-daily-living practices, minor treatments, and infection control.
Ability to safeguard and supervise patients and maintain order, control, and discipline in a therapeutic manner.
Ability to interact professionally, positively, and therapeutically with patients and staff.
Ability to observe patients’ attitudes and mental, physical, and other reactions and communicate observations orally to supervisors or treatment-team members and in writing in the medical record.
Ability to observe clinical details, including behavioral observations required by behavioral plans or protocols, and report them orally and in writing.
Working knowledge of accepted hospital housekeeping procedures and ability to apply them.
Ability to cooperate with clinical and non-clinical employees with varied expertise, accept direction from clinical professionals, and follow oral and written instructions.
Familiarity with terms and definitions for clinical syndromes and ability to describe symptoms of mental illness, particularly in a forensic setting.
Must be physically qualified to perform the duties and maintain professional attitudes and conduct throughout employment.
Must pass a physical agility test involving sit-ups, push-ups, a 300-meter run, and a 1.5-mile run, with standards correlated to gender and age; testing uses the 40th percentile of Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research standards.
Must be capable of lifting 40 pounds and have the agility and strength to maintain a safe and secure environment; these requirements apply upon hire and yearly thereafter.
Must be medically fit as determined by designated qualified personnel, including meeting the stated vision and hearing standards, and remain physically qualified as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.
Must provide proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella; varicella; tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; and hepatitis B titers, as well as a Tuberculin Skin Test.
Must complete an N-95 respirator fit test.

Nice To Haves

One year of inpatient experience in a psychiatric setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care and treatment to patients in a secure forensic treatment setting.
Promote a therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision consistent with nursing care and treatment plans.
Interact with patients by listening, encouraging, supporting, and providing appropriate feedback.
Assist professional staff in formulating and implementing treatment plans and participate as a member of the treatment team.
Help patients with waking, bathing, dressing, feeding, grooming, and preparation for visitors, privileges, appointments, and bed.
Conduct rounds, patient counts, and safety checks; file ward status reports; observe unusual behavior and report incidents to a superior.
Escort doctors and visitors on wards as required.
Maintain patients’ quarters in a sanitary, safe, and orderly condition and free of dangerous or unapproved items, including sharps, contraband, and flammables.
Organize, plan, direct, implement, and participate in unit-based therapeutic activities and off-unit activity programs.
Physically restrain patients when necessary, under supervision and in accordance with hospital policy and behavioral emergency response training.
Observe and report patients’ physical health; bring signs of illness to a superior’s attention; assist with physical examinations and blood work; collect specimens; and take temperature, pulse, and respiration rates.
Carry out outpatient admission, discharge, and transfer procedures and inspect patients for sharps, contraband, and flammables as directed.
Assist nurses and other personnel with prescribed medication treatments.
Establish positive helping relationships with patients and work professionally with treatment-team members; contribute to treatment planning, quality assurance, or performance-improvement activities as needed.
Supervise recreational activities and escort patients to appointments and off-site activities.
Maintain the cleanliness and safety of patients’ immediate environments and care for their clothing and personal effects.
Apply infection-control and disease-prevention measures.
Identify and report elopement and participate in searches.
Wear appropriate clothing and a hospital-approved identification badge.
Provide one-on-one special supervision and observational care as assigned.
Perform routine housekeeping duties to maintain the therapeutic milieu.
Perform related work as required.