MENTAL HEALTH WORKER

State of careers Rhode Island•Benton Township, PA

6d•$54,686 - $61,176•Onsite

About The Position

Within a state hospital or inpatient medical facility, to provide direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic treatment setting within Rhode Island State Psychiatric Hospital (RISPH). It involves promoting the therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision of forensic patients consistent with nursing care and treatment plans; performs related work in a forensic setting as required. This role involves promoting the therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision of forensic patients consistent with nursing care and treatment plans.

Requirements

Working knowledge of the practices, methods, and techniques for the custody, care, and treatment of psychiatric patients, including those with mental and developmental disabilities, in a forensic setting.
Ability to apply knowledge of basic first aid, housekeeping, patient personal needs, activities of daily living, minor treatments, and infection control.
Ability to safeguard and supervise patients and maintain order, control, and discipline in a therapeutic context.
Ability to converse and interact with patients and staff in a professional, positive, and therapeutic manner.
Ability to observe attitudes and the mental and physical reactions of patients and relate them orally to supervisors or other members of the treatment team and in writing in the medical record.
Ability to observe clinical details about the mental and physical condition of patients, including behavioral observations, and relate them orally and in writing.
Working knowledge of accepted housekeeping procedures of the hospital facility and the ability to apply such knowledge.
Ability to cooperate and work with other employees (clinical and non-clinical with a variety of expertise).
Ability to accept direction from clinical professionals and to follow oral and written instructions.
Familiarity with the terms and definitions that make up clinical syndromes and the ability to describe the symptoms of mental illness, particularly in the forensic setting.
Possession of an Associate’s Degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Behavioral Science.
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.
Physically qualified to perform duties of the class of position and to display professional attitudes and conduct.
Must complete a physical agility test consisting of a minimum number of sit-ups, push-ups, 300-meter run, and 1.5-mile run with standards correlated with gender and age.
Physically capable of lifting 40 pounds and have the physical agility and strength to maintain a safe and secure environment for patients and staff.
Vision test of at least 20/100 Snellen in the better eye, without glasses, corrected to at least 20/70 Snellen in one eye and 20/30 Snellen in the other eye.
Hearing test in which each ear must test at least 15/15 by the Whispering Voice Test.
Proof of immunity against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chickenpox), Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap), Hepatitis B titers, Tuberculin Skin Test (TST).
N-95 Respirator FIT test.

Nice To Haves

Any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience in the treatment of the severely mentally ill persons.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients.
Promote the therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision of forensic patients.
Assist professional staff in formulating and implementing treatment plans and serve as a member of the treatment team.
Wake, bathe, dress, feed and groom patients as necessary and prepare them for visitors, grounds privileges, off-site appointments and bed.
Observe policies and procedures pertaining to the security of the building, including conducting rounds, taking patient counts, conducting safety checks, filing ward status reports, observing unusual behavior and reporting incidents.
Escort doctors and visitors on wards as required.
Ensure that patients quarters are in sanitary, safe and orderly condition and free of dangerous or unapproved items.
Organize, plan, direct, implement, and participate in unit-based therapeutic patient activities and off-unit activity programs.
Physically restrain patients when necessary, commensurate with hospital policy and behavioral emergency response training.
Observe and report on the physical health of patients, bringing signs and symptoms of physical illness to the attention of a superior.
Assist with physicals, blood work, and collect specimens as assigned.
Take temperature, pulse, and respiration rates.
Carry out outpatient admission, discharge, and transfer procedures.
Inspect patients for sharps, contraband, and flammables as directed.
Assist professional nurses and other personnel in giving treatments of prescribed medications.
Establish a positive helping relationship with patients and interact professionally with other team members.
Collaborate with professional staff and contribute to treatment planning, quality assurance, or performance improvement activities.
Supervise patient recreational activities and escort patients to appointments and off-site activities.
Maintain cleanliness and safety of the patient's immediate environment.
Care for patient clothing and personal effects.
Recognize and implement a full range of infection control and disease prevention measures.
Identify and report elopement and participate in searches.
Wear only appropriate dress and hospital-approved identification badge.
Provide one-on-one special supervision and observational care as assigned.
Perform routine housekeeping duties to maintain the appropriate therapeutic milieu.
Perform related work as required.