MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT - BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES | UNIT A-G| FULL-TIME NIGHT SHIFT (25476)

About the Role

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our diverse community. As a leading healthcare provider, we offer a supportive and inclusive work environment. We are looking for a Mental Health Assistant who is passionate about making a difference and thrives in a collaborative setting.

Responsibilities

• Deliver patient care responsibilities with knowledge of patient growth and development, appropriate to the ages of patients served.
• Take and record TPR and report deviations from normal to Primary or Charge Nurse.
• Obtain specimens as assigned (e.g., urine, stool, sputum).
• Weigh patients and record weight.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living including skin care (e.g., bathe, dress, ambulate, and assist with meals).
• Record oral intake and urinary output.
• Perform assigned treatments (e.g., change simple dressings).
• Communicate effectively with Charge Nurse/Primary Nurse regarding patients' needs and requests.
• Orient patients to environment and develop rapport with patients, family, and significant others.
• Assist in patient management including de-escalation, alternative activities to prevent restraint and seclusion, and physically assist in patient containment, restraint, or seclusion under the direction of the Registered Nurse (e.g., Team 20/Dr. Strong).
• Perform admission and unit searches as assigned by the Registered Nurse, including shake, pat, and observation of patient belongings as well as visual searches of same-gender patients on admission.
• Keep patient and non-patient units clean (e.g., wipe tables, neatens storage rooms, pantries, and other areas).
• Prepare bedside units for new admissions (e.g., stock with bedpan, tissues, water, cups).
• Apply principles of infection control and safety in the work environment.
• Report significant unit problems to charge nurse.
• Ensure contraband is not introduced into the unit environment through property search, unit rounds, and visitor monitoring.
• Monitor visiting sessions as assigned by the Charge Nurse.
• Assist in transporting patients to/from designated areas as assigned (e.g., recreation activities, testing, court).
• Assist with unit therapeutic activities as directed by the Registered Nurse.
• Ensure a safe unit environment through rounding, patient observation, and reporting environmental issues or patient problems to the Registered Nurse.
• Understand and adhere to the Medical Center's Code of Conduct.
• Maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Assess gaps in policies and procedures and create necessary policies and procedures to fulfill these gaps.
• Be familiar with the Medical Center's Mission, Vision, and Values Statements.
• Provide customer service demonstrating respect, flexibility, knowledge, confidence, professionalism, pleasant attitude, patience, and helpfulness. Ensure all responses are timely, professional, caring, and respectful in accordance with Customer Service Performance expectations.
• Effectively utilize the hospital computer system as it pertains to job responsibilities and in accordance with hospital policy.
• Participate in orientation of nursing assistants.
• Participate in unit committees and in CQI activities as assigned.
• Assist other personnel as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the department and organization.

Qualifications

• Heartsaver/CPR Certification required.
• Technical skills required for patient care.
• Must pass Nursing Attendant test administered by BMC.
• Strong administrative skills.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements for OPS.
• Good organizational skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Must be computer literate.
• Speaks, reads, and writes English to the extent required by the position.

Education

• Successful completion of an approved Nurse's Aide training course preferred.
• High school graduation or equivalent required.

Pay

$21.25 per hour. Differentials: $1.15 for evening, night, and weekend shifts.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Generous time off policy including ample vacation days, personal time, sick leave, and nine paid holidays.
• Robust tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs to support ongoing development.