Mental Health Worker Pedi PD

Summary

Under the general supervision of the Nurse Manager, Senior Milieu Therapist, and Charge RN, the Mental Health Worker Pedi PD is responsible for the care and safety of assigned children. They assume the primary milieu therapist role, contributing to the formulation and implementation of a therapeutic milieu treatment plan. Services are provided to medically compromised and emotionally disturbed children/adolescents.

Responsibilities

• Frontline clinical position for children (ages 6-12) or teens (ages 13-18), managing the structure of the day for significantly medically and emotionally unstable children.
• Manages a group of 6-10 pediatric patients dealing with severe medical and psychosocial issues through structured components of their day.
• Implements behavior plans for the behavioral age groups.
• Participates in support/supervision related to meal plans.
• Creates and participates in therapeutic and recreational activities tailored to the psychosocial and developmental needs of children ranging from 6-18 years old.
• Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment, operating the milieu care plan according to established department and unit-based procedures.
• Demonstrates appropriate critical incident follow-up skills and intervenes in disruptive milieu or destructive situations.
• Completes initial milieu assessment within 24 hours and collaborates with the multidisciplinary team.
• Supports and contributes to the development of milieu therapy care plans and behavioral management.
• Assists patient searches and escorts patients to other departments in the hospital.
• Demonstrates ability to set consistent and supportive therapeutic limits and implement behavioral programs specific to patient needs.
• Handles crisis situations safely and effectively.
• Maintains and documents patient observation levels as ordered by the multidisciplinary team.
• Participates in treatment planning processes by attending multidisciplinary team rounds and communicating individual patient milieu treatment plans.
• Consistently participates in treatment team, shift reports, and clinical supervision.
• Maintains appropriate interpersonal and communication skills with patients/families and other healthcare team members.
• Models therapeutic staff/patient interactions to patients/families.
• Initiates formal/informal supervision with the Senior Milieu Therapist and Nurse Manager and incorporates feedback for improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Service or related field preferred, Associate degree required.
• Current CPR certification.
• Crisis Management certification or current enrollment in Rhode Island Hospital.
• Theoretical understanding of children within families.
• Sound understanding of social and developmental issues in medically ill children and teens.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients considering the aging process, human development stages, and cultural patterns.
• One year of recent (within 3 years) experience in a pediatric environment ages 6-18, including experience with medically compromised and/or emotionally impaired children.