CNA/Unit Secretary - Behavioral Health - Full Time - 7a-7:30p

About the role

Supports and incorporates the Frederick Health mission, vision, core values, and customer service philosophy into job performance, adheres to the FH Compliance Program and all regulatory requirements, and follows FH Standards of Behavior. Performs Mental Health Assistant activities that contribute to the care and treatment of psychiatric patients, supports continuous quality improvement, and functions in accordance with established Psychiatric Department policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Conducts and records safety inspections each shift, reporting necessary actions to the Charge Nurse.
• Maintains unit safety related to sharps and dangerous objects.
• Assists in educating patients about safety issues through daily reports and individual interactions.
• Monitors patient area during mealtime and provides assistance as needed.
• Provides immediate intervention for de‑escalation of disruptive behavior and assists with placing patients in seclusion or restraint per policy.
• Maintains patient safety by performing required patient checks using the provided form.
• Reports signs of increasing agitation, aggression, suicidal behavior, elopement risk, smoking rule violations, etc., to the Charge Nurse.
• Works cooperatively to maintain a safe environment.
• Maintains patient limits or restrictions as established or directed.
• Consistently and accurately performs patient, room, and belongings checks to assure a safe environment (e.g., awareness of restraints, fall risk, frequent turning).
• Carefully and safely handles patient clothing and personal property (including sharps, prosthetic devices, hearing aids, dentures, glasses, contact lenses, etc.) from admission through discharge.
• Develops and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with patients and family members.
• Assists with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients; orients patient and family to unit and unit milieu.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living and hygienic care according to patient needs.
• Records patient intake and output as needed.
• Initiates, reviews, and revises patient/family checklists as appropriate.
• Promptly takes and accurately records temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, height, and weight as directed.
• Performs blood glucose accuchecks and other procedures as trained and directed.
• Anticipates patient needs and responds to patient call lights promptly and courteously.
• Makes occupied and unoccupied beds properly.
• Keeps patient rooms tidy, bed linen clean and straightened.
• Cleans spills per policy (e.g., body fluids).
• Prepares patients for meals promptly; assists with meals, nourishments, and drinking water; monitors and reports patients’ response.
• Documents percent of meal taken when appropriate.
• Obtains supplies as directed by RN.
• Initiates and leads patient activity groups (exercise, weekend planning, evening relaxation); charts patient response on activity record.
• Participates in and contributes effectively to other patient‑oriented groups (community business meeting, evening wrap‑up).
• Promotes patient participation in groups and encourages social interaction within the therapeutic milieu.
• Uses communication tools effectively (beepers, wireless phones, computers, etc.).
• Functions in a collaborative and respectful manner.
• Reviews completed documentation for accuracy with assigned RN(s).
• Uses equipment effectively when obtaining information and data (automatic blood pressure equipment, blood glucose equipment, bed scales).
• Charts factually and concisely per Behavioral Health Department policy and procedure.
• Attends and contributes to daily shift report.
• Attends all mandatory in‑service programs yearly, including CPR and Code Green certification.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships and effective communication with unit staff.
• Participates in unit meetings, in‑services, and clinical supervision.
• Participates in unit‑based or hospital committees as assigned.
• Participates in the Psychiatric Unit quality improvement program; makes recommendations to improve current standards of care and assists in implementing QI recommendations.
• Attends required education programs and attains a minimum of two (2) continuing education hours applicable to practice, in addition to meeting all mandatory requirements.
• Assists in orienting new employees to the department.
• Stays informed of unit/hospital events by reading minutes or attending staff meetings 100% of the time.
• Serves on committees and projects as necessary.
• Receives, greets, and directs patients, visitors, and hospital personnel.
• Receives requests from patients and families and refers requests to appropriate person.
• Receives, places, and transfers calls using appropriate telephone etiquette.
• Initiates, assembles, and maintains medical records for patients on the assigned department.
• Transcribes physicians’ orders; completes all forms, requisitions, computer verifications, and communications necessary to implement orders.
• Utilizes computer to enter patient admission data, change orders, requisition supplies, and generate/receive interdepartmental communications.
• Files diagnostic and laboratory reports in patient’s medical records after RN review.
• Prepares and processes medical records for transfer within the hospital and to other facilities.
• Prepares discharge charts for the Medical Records Department.
• Records and communicates messages.
• Maintains adequate inventory of forms, materials, and equipment.
• Prepares specimens for transport and timely delivery to other departments using appropriate communication forms and labeling techniques.
• Prepares forms for charges and credits and maintains department logs, forms, and other required statistics.
• Provides assistance to others in areas of expertise and to other nursing departments.
• Prepares chart packets as needed.
• Keeps the department clean and tidy (kitchen, soiled utility room, clean utility room, etc.).
• Flo