Mental Health Worker (w/ CNA preferred) PT Nights D2

About the Role

As a Nursing Assistant on the Geriatric Unit, you will serve as a patient advocate by role-modeling standards of performance and addressing patient needs for service. You will assist registered nurses in direct patient care, focusing on activities of daily living, and help maintain a safe and therapeutic environment through observation, monitoring, and group interactions.

Responsibilities

• Assist the registered nurse in collecting patient data for nursing assessments and document findings according to Butler Hospital standards.
• Gather specific patient data for different age groups:
  • Geriatric:
    • Biophysical: bowel and bladder habits, physical mobility, skin integrity, assistive devices
    • Nutritional: special diet, assistance with feeding, food preparation
    • Psychosocial: mental status, advanced directives, losses
    • Cognitive: barriers to learning, family involvement due to mental status
  • Adult:
    • Biophysical: dentures, bowel and bladder, obesity
    • Nutritional: ability to prepare food, lifestyle issues
    • Psychosocial: vocational situation, substance use/abuse, developmental tasks, work productivity, relationships
    • Cognitive: mental status, barriers to learning
  • Adolescent:
    • Biophysical: menstrual period, birth control, hygiene issues
    • Nutritional: specific food choices, eating disorder issues
    • Psychosocial: sexual activity, substance use/abuse, peer groups
    • Cognitive: barriers to learning, developmental tasks, self-confidence, problem-solving ability
  • Child:
    • Biophysical: bathing routine, bowel and bladder, continence
    • Nutritional: food preferences, mealtime routine, snacks
    • Psychosocial: safety needs, developmental tasks, productivity
    • Cognitive: barriers to learning, logical thinking, task completion, attention span
• Observe and report patient data to the treatment team or Charge Nurse to evaluate patient responses and determine care alternatives.
• Supervise patients’ basic hygiene, nutritional, and elimination needs in accordance with nursing procedures.
• Provide for the recreational needs of patients and take initiative in addressing them.
• Respond constructively and sensitively to patients, families, and visitors.
• Interact therapeutically to meet patient needs.
• Adhere to risk management, infection control policies, and performance improvement activities.
• Demonstrate skills in de-escalating patients in crisis situations.
• Prioritize safety for self, staff, and patients during patient care.
• Comply with Butler Hospital policies on restraint and seclusion, including organizing and participating in patient restraints.
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment by recording patient observations on checks forms and following observation procedures.
• Monitor patient behaviors and needs, reporting activities to the nurse.
• Engage in therapeutic conversations and attend community meetings or other group activities that meet patient needs.
• Provide exercise opportunities, such as walks and other activities.
• Document appropriate clinical information accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record.
• Perform personal care duties under the supervision of a professional nurse, including:
  • Assisting with feeding and hydration (e.g., cutting food, opening cartons).
  • Providing bed baths, tub baths, or showers (Parker Bath).
  • Caring for skin and back (e.g., monitoring for skin breakdown, pressure areas).
  • Providing foot care, foot soaks, and applying foot lotion.
  • Assisting with nail care and oral hygiene (e.g., brushing teeth, cleaning dentures).
  • Shampooing hair (sink, tub, or bed), combing/brushing hair, and shaving.
• Perform basic nursing skills, including:
  • Administering sitz baths (Parker Bath) for comfort and pain relief on intact skin.
  • Applying topical over-the-counter drugs to intact skin.
  • Applying lamb’s wool and elastic stockings (Teds).
  • Caring for patients on precautions.
  • Making unoccupied/occupied beds.
  • Measuring and recording intake and output (I & O).
  • Reinforcing simple, nonsterile dressings.
  • Reminding patients to take medication.
  • Providing comfort measures for patients when death is imminent (DNR).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• College credits in any of the social sciences required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Behavioral health experience preferred.
• Active Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A) license in the state of Rhode Island.

About Us

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions—Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group—is a trusted, integrated health care organization. CNE drives advances in medical research, attracts top specialty-trained doctors, offers renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in critical discussions about health and end-of-life care for individuals and communities.