Mental Health Associate, Emergency Mental Health, 24 Hours, Evenings

Major Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of the Mental Health Team and serves both internal and external customers including patients, families, nurses, physicians and other colleagues who support the delivery of care and services.
• Provides clear, timely communication to the Registered Nurse (R.N.) regarding observations and changes seen in the patient.
• Records behavioral data on appropriate data sheets.
• Maintains patient safety by performing patient safety checks, environmental safety rounds, utilizing fall prevention alternative devices/strategies as directed utilizing de-escalation and calming tools and strategies with anxious patients and following the Restraint Policy standards when caring for a restrained patient.
• Serves as a leader or co-leader for group activities such as goal setting group, dual diagnosis groups, various activity groups, and structuring and supervising recreational activities.
• Handles routine situations and must request assistance from identified resources when more direction is needed.
• Affords assistance in medical emergencies as directed by R.N.
• Utilizes proper safety techniques and body mechanics in all work-related activities.
• Obtains and records vital signs (temperature, pulse, and respiration, blood pressure and pulse oxymetry).
• Makes measurements and records patients’ height and weight as assigned by R.N.
• Performs a variety of tests and procedures which may include but not limited to EKGs, phlebotomy, and intake and output as assigned by R.N.
• Documents daily progress notes, and group notes (per policy) and as assigned by R.N.
• Affords assistance in medical and psychiatric interventions as directed.
• Provides personal care as appropriate, working to optimize patient’s independent functioning in performance of daily routines.
• Works to utilize interventions to de-escalate patients and if unsuccessful participates in restraints in accordance with training and education as directed.
• Performs safety checks on patients and unit as directed. Documents findings.
• Reviews and follows treatment plan with patient. Provides feedback to clinical team regarding implementation of the plan.
• Implements special treatment strategies as indicated in the plan.
• Maintains logs, organizes patient care charts for admission/discharge/transfer and maintains medical records as instructed.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service programs as required or directed.
• Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards and/or books, emails, bulletin boards, posted notices and reads and responds to UMMHC emails on a regular basis.

Position Qualifications

• Licenses/Certifications/Educations Required: High school diploma or equivalent. Current Basic Life Support or Heart Savor certification required within one month as a condition of employment.
• Prioritizations: Associates Degree Medical terminology and computer skills. Experience/Skills Required: One year of relevant patient support experience. Ability to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and concise manner. Must have effective interpersonal skills to provide respectful, culturally and age appropriate communication with patients, staff, visitors and others. Must demonstrate effective problem-solving abilities for routine situations. Must have ability to read, write and communicate in English in a clear and concise manner.
• Department-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.

Physical Demands And Environmental Conditions

• Work is considered sedentary. Position requires work indoors in a normal patient care environment.