Therapeutic Assistant - Youth EmPATH Unit - Mental Health

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth EmPath Unit is a 4-bay unit designed for youth patients (17 years and under) experiencing a crisis. This unit provides a therapeutic milieu for patients who typically benefit from care for less than 72 hours before disposition. The Therapeutic Assistant plays a crucial role in patient care within this environment.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent required for Therapeutic Assistant I.
Bachelor's degree in Human Services or closely related field, or high school diploma and 1 year of experience in behavioral health or related healthcare required for Therapeutic Assistant II.
Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) required within 2 weeks of hire.
Maintain Current Basic Life Support (BLS), either a certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers (or AHA recognized equivalent) or an American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider.
Certification in TACT and First Aid within the first 6 months of employment and annually thereafter for TACT and biannually for BLS and First Aid.
Ability to perform job functions while standing (Continuous).
Ability to perform job functions while sitting (Continuous).
Ability to perform job functions while walking (Continuous).
Ability to work indoors (Continuous).
Ability to bend at the waist (Continuous).
Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands (Continuous).
Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands (Continuous).
Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands (Continuous).
Ability to fully use both legs (Continuous).
Ability to reach in all directions (Continuous).
Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes (Continuous).
Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance (Continuous).
Ability to match or discriminate between colors (Continuous).
Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception (Continuous).
Good peripheral vision capabilities (Continuous).
Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction (Continuous).
Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements (Continuous).
Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations (Continuous).
Ability to work in a latex safe environment (Continuous).
Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions (Continuous).
Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required (Continuous).

Nice To Haves

Ability to climb stairs (Infrequent).
Ability to work outside in temperature extremes (Infrequent).
Ability to work from elevated areas (Frequent).
Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces (Frequent).
Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions (Infrequent).
Ability to twist at the waist (Frequent).
Ability to squat and perform job functions (Frequent).
Ability to perform "pinching" operations (Frequent).
Ability to reach overhead (Frequent).
Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders (Continuous).
Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination (Frequent).
Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted (Infrequent).
Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted (Infrequent).
Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent).
Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force (Frequent).
Ability to work rotating shifts (Frequent).
Ability to work overtime as required (Frequent).
Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function (Continuous) (Selected Positions).

Responsibilities

Provide patient care as directed by the multi-disciplinary treatment plan and daily assignment sheet.
Assist with patient admission and discharge processes.
Monitor and promote the safety of the therapeutic environment.
Ensure that patients' activities of daily living are maintained.
Support the therapeutic program.