Psych Social Health Technician -Behavioral Health

About the Facility

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi is a 457-bed teaching hospital affiliated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The facility has earned numerous Center of Excellence designations, accreditation, and recognition for its renowned Level 1 Trauma Center, Burn Center, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, regional Stroke Center, Snakebite Treatment Center, Breast Health Center, Bariatric Surgery Center, and Cancer Service. The facility also offers the region’s only multi-person hyperbaric chamber, allowing up to nine patients to dive together at one time. Jacobi’s Ambulatory Care Pavilion provides high-quality service in a modern, state-of-the-art environment.

Purpose of the Role

Under the direct supervision of a professional Nurse or other assigned professional staff member, you will perform functions related to assisting patients with activities of daily living and personal hygiene, and participate as a member of a treatment, nursing, or health care team in implementing appropriate regimens for patients in Behavioral Health service areas. You will act in compliance with the health care system and all relevant regulatory policies.

Responsibilities

• Observe patient’s physical condition, mental state, and social behavior, and report to the team leader or Nurse-in-charge; provide individual nursing care for patients who are acutely ill, either physically or emotionally.
• Participate in planning and implementing an orientation program for new patients.
• Gather information for intake, social histories, referrals, and related purposes to augment case understanding.
• Participate in planning and implementing daily living activities on the ward for patients and contribute to developing a therapeutic ward environment.
• Assist in planning and implementing therapeutic activities with groups of hospitalized psychiatric patients; encourage client involvement in individual and group activities as part of planned treatment programs.
• Assist with the physical care and personal hygiene of selected patients, including bathing, turning and positioning, skin care, passive and active range of motion, mouth care, foot care, nail care, and applying hot and cold packs.
• Assist patients with meal selection, feed patients if necessary, deliver/remove trays, distribute water, nourishment, and ice.
• With successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals program, assist the behavioral health team in the application and removal of restraints and the implementation of restraints/seclusion when deemed necessary, ensuring patient safety.
• On direction of a registered nurse or other professional staff member, escort patients to required locations within and outside the health care setting.
• Take patient vital signs when directed, enter data into the electronic medical record, and perform finger stick tests.
• Change linen, make beds, and maintain ward/unit, linen, utility, treatment, storage rooms, and recreational areas in a neat and orderly fashion.
• Disinfect personal items with appropriate products when required.
• Perform functions and activities of the basic Nurse’s Aide in support of the above tasks and other related work as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization.
• Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion prior to performing such work.
• Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training in the performance of vital signs and grooming within ninety (90) calendar days of appointment.
• Hold or obtain a valid and current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) within sixty (60) calendar days of appointment.

Mission and Values

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high-quality health services without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.