Care Ambassador - Emancipation Center

About the Role

Join our Independent Living team at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) as a Mental Wellness Advocate and Care Specialist, revolutionizing the role of a Care Ambassador at our Emancipation Center. Collaborating with licensed nursing personnel and clinical treatment teams, you will provide direct care services to individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities, creating a safe and supportive environment. Your passion for mental health advocacy and strong interpersonal skills will empower patients on their journey towards recovery and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Promote a physically and emotionally safe environment, including ensuring regular rounds and patient and property searches are facilitated so patients can focus on managing their illnesses and disabilities to promote healing
• Aid in basic patient care such as eating, bathing, dressing, and teaching and encouraging basic hygiene and other daily living skills while observing patient progress to identify the need for additional services or changes in current treatment
• Provide behavioral emergency assistance, such as patient restraint using approved Agency curriculum or basic first aid when needed, as well as recognize and report homicidal or suicidal behaviors
• Monitor and document behavior of patients in seclusion or on precautions
• Perform duties (e.g. vital signs, specimen collection) as delegated by nursing personnel or assigned by a physician
• Utilize Standard Precautions appropriately to prevent the spread of infection
• Respect the rights, dignity, respect, and privacy of others
• Interact with the community, colleagues, and patients by following the key principles of a trauma informed approach
• Assist with the development of Psychiatric Technician I work schedules and daily assignments as well as help with hiring and training of other Psychiatric Technician I
• Facilitate communication between all staff regarding patient's needs
• Perform housekeeping duties when required or in the absence of housekeeping/cleaning crew
• Demonstrate a positive and professional work ethic even functioning as a role model to residents
• Comply with agency policies & procedures accreting/regulatory bodies & perform contract documentation requirements
• Contribute to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma
• 1 year of direct care experience in psychiatric or behavioral healthcare environment preferred
• Must have a valid driver's license

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of Standard Precautions and Infection Control Procedures
• Knowledge of and the ability to apply Handle with Care Crisis Intervention Techniques (HWC III)
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to coordinate patient care with treatment team

Benefits

• Robust retirement plan with generous company matching
• Prior service credit accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual
• Cell Phone Discounts
• Exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work
• Free Headspace subscription for mental wellness
• Employee Assistance Program supporting your overall well-being
• Student loan forgiveness programs for qualifying employees

Pay & Schedule

• 0.9 FTE - rotating day shift, 3 - 12 hour shifts weekly, 6:45AM to 7:15PM and on holidays

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million. As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation. By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

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