Mental Health Specialist - Float Pool

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, the Mental Health Specialist (MHS) provides direct patient care and participates in the therapeutic milieu. Critical to the role of Resource Team members is the ability to work with all diagnostic patient populations and the flexibility to work on all inpatient units.

Essential Functions

• Assists the RN in providing direct patient care.
• Accurate and timely documentation of AFS, progress notes, and observation sheets.
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Participates in patient rounds and treatment teams.
• Completes patient care assignments.
• Identifies patient behaviors that contribute to the development of a crisis and utilizes non-verbal and verbal techniques to de-escalate crisis situations.
• Intervenes in managing complex patient situations and patient schedules, utilizing department policies and procedures while promoting the least restrictive alternatives.
• Communicates changes in patient status to the RN.
• Follows Standards of Care and protocols for assigned patients.
• Remains awake and alert at all times while on duty.
• Performs Point of Care (POC) testing.
• Works effectively in the therapeutic milieu.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of patient groups.
• Provides and supervises recreation and other off-hall activities according to patient needs.
• Provides patients with direction, support, and supervision as needed.
• Follows established Nursing policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Conducts active milieu assessments while assigned to patient checks, maintaining particular attention to safety concerns.
• Participates in the maintenance of the unit environment to ensure safe care.
• Identifies and reports housekeeping problems to the Unit Secretary and/or Nurse Director (ND).
• Identifies and reports equipment problems to the Unit Secretary and/or Nurse Director (ND).
• Participates in the unit inventory system and reports when supplies are low.
• Initiates activities that assist patients in maintaining a clean environment.
• Initiates activities that promote an organized and safe environment for patients and staff.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living.
• Identifies patient hygiene needs and initiates and implements interventions to meet those needs.
• Provides for patients' nutritional needs according to unit procedures.
• Assists and reassures patients during tests, examinations, and procedures.
• Escorts and supervises patients on and off grounds while maintaining patient safety.
• Maintains a commitment to professional growth and competency.
• Completes mandatory in-service requirements.
• Identifies areas of strength and areas requiring professional development with their supervisor.
• Maintains competency in treating age-specific patient populations.
• Seeks constructive feedback regarding work performance from peers and professional colleagues.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related field of study preferred. Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? Yes.
• Experience: One year of clinical experience, preferably in a psychiatric setting, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work in collaboration with others.
• Must complete and pass Epic training within 30 days of hire.
• Successful passing (80% or higher) of Epic training modules(s) is a minimum requirement of the job.

Physical Requirements

• Standing: Frequently (34-66%)
• Walking: Frequently (34-66%)
• Sitting: Occasionally (3-33%)
• Lifting: Frequently (34-66%) 35lbs+ (w/assisted device)
• Carrying: Frequently (34-66%) 20lbs - 35lbs
• Pushing: Occasionally (3-33%)
• Pulling: Occasionally (3-33%)
• Climbing: Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Balancing: Frequently (34-66%)
• Stooping: Occasionally (3-33%)
• Kneeling: Occasionally (3-33%)
• Crouching: Occasionally (3-33%)
• Crawling: Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Reaching: Frequently (34-66%)
• Gross Manipulation (Handling): Frequently (34-66%)
• Fine Manipulation (Fingering): Frequently (34-66%)
• Feeling: Constantly (67-100%)
• Foot Use: Rarely (Less than 2%)
• Vision - Far: Constantly (67-100%)
• Vision - Near: Constantly (67-100%)
• Talking: Constantly (67-100%)
• Hearing: Constantly (67-100%)

Schedule

Night shift. 40 hours per week.

Pay & Benefits

Pay range: $23.40 - $30.73/hourly.