MENTAL HEALTH WORKER

State of careers Rhode Island•Benton Township, PA

1d•$54,686 - $61,176•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Worker provides direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic treatment setting at Rhode Island State Psychiatric Hospital (RISPH). The role promotes a therapeutic milieu while maintaining custody and supervision of forensic patients in accordance with nursing care and treatment plans. The position works under the supervision of a registered nurse, receives assignments in outline form, and is subject to review and inspection. It exercises no supervision over other employees. The worker supports patients’ daily living needs, therapeutic activities, treatment planning, health monitoring, safety, and security. The job requires professional interaction with patients and treatment-team members, accurate observation and reporting, and compliance with hospital policies, procedures, infection-control measures, and restraint requirements. The position is scheduled 3:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m., every other weekend and days off as assigned, for a standard 40-hour workweek.

Requirements

Possession of an associate degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Behavioral Science, ability to read, write, and speak English, and one year of employment in a private or public hospital or clinical program involving care, custody, treatment, and rehabilitation of severely and chronically mentally disabled persons; or a substantially equivalent combination of education and experience.
Working knowledge of practices, methods, and techniques for the custody, care, and treatment of psychiatric patients, including patients with mental and developmental disabilities, in a forensic setting.
Ability to apply knowledge of basic first aid, housekeeping, patient personal needs and activities of daily living, minor treatments, and infection control.
Ability to safeguard and supervise patients and maintain order, control, and discipline in a therapeutic manner.
Ability to interact with patients and staff professionally, positively, and therapeutically.
Ability to observe patients’ attitudes and mental, physical, and other reactions and report observations orally to supervisors or treatment-team members and in writing in medical records.
Ability to observe clinical details about patients’ mental and physical condition, 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 and work with clinical and non-clinical employees with varied expertise.
Ability to accept direction from clinical professionals and follow oral and written instructions.
Familiarity with clinical syndrome terminology 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 minimum standards for sit-ups, push-ups, a 300-meter run, and a 1.5-mile run, with standards correlated to age and gender. Testing is at the 40th percentile using Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research standards.
Must be able to lift 40 pounds and have the physical agility and strength to maintain a safe and secure environment for patients and staff upon hire and annually 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.
Before employment at ESH or RISPH, must provide proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella; varicella; tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; and hepatitis B, and complete a tuberculin skin test.
Must complete an N-95 respirator fit test.

Nice To Haves

One year of inpatient experience in a psychiatric setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic setting.
Promote a therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision consistent with nursing care and treatment plans.
Perform duties related to therapeutic evaluation; interact with patients by listening, encouraging, supporting, and providing appropriate feedback.
Assist professional staff in formulating and implementing treatment plans and serve as a member of the treatment team.
Help patients wake, bathe, dress, eat, groom, and prepare for visitors, grounds privileges, off-site appointments, and bed.
Conduct security rounds, take patient counts, perform safety checks, file ward status reports, observe unusual behavior, and report unusual incidents to a superior.
Escort doctors and visitors on wards as required.
Ensure patient quarters are sanitary, safe, orderly, and free of dangerous or unapproved sharps, contraband, or flammables in accordance with RISPH policy.
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; report signs and symptoms of illness, assist with physical examinations and blood work, collect specimens as assigned, and take temperature, pulse, and respiration rates.
Carry out outpatient admission, discharge, and transfer procedures; inspect patients for sharps, contraband, and flammables as directed and according to RISPH policy.
Assist professional nurses and other personnel with prescribed medication treatments.
Establish positive helping relationships with patients and interact professionally with team members in carrying out treatment programs.
Collaborate with professional staff and contribute to treatment planning, quality assurance, or performance improvement activities as necessary.
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.
Recognize and implement infection-control and disease-prevention measures.
Identify and report elopement and participate in searches.
Wear appropriate dress 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 and other related work as required.