Psychiatric Social HealthTechician-Behavioral Health

About the Role

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens, comprising 545 beds. As a Level I Trauma Center, Emergency Heart Care Station, and 911 Receiving Hospital, EHC is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal, and Mental Health Services. At NYC Health + Hospitals, the mission is to deliver high-quality care without exception, with every employee exemplifying the ICARE values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of a professional Nurse or other assigned professional staff member, this role involves assisting patients with activities of daily living and personal hygiene while participating as a member of a treatment, nursing, or health care team in Behavioral Health service areas. Key duties include:

• Observing patient’s physical condition, mental state, and social behavior, and reporting to the team leader or Nurse-in-charge.
• Providing individual nursing care for patients who are acutely ill, either physically or emotionally.
• Participating in planning and implementing orientation programs for new patients.
• Gathering information for intake, social histories, referrals, and related purposes to augment case understanding.
• Contributing to the development of a therapeutic ward environment and planning daily living activities.
• Assisting in planning and implementing therapeutic activities with groups of hospitalized psychiatric patients and encouraging client involvement.
• Assisting with physical care and personal hygiene, including bathing, turning and positioning, skin care, range of motion, mouth care, foot care, nail care, and applying hot/cold packs.
• Assisting patients with meal selection, feeding if necessary, delivering/removing trays, and distributing water, nourishment, and ice.
• With successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals program, assisting the behavioral health team in the application and removal of restraints and implementation of seclusion when necessary, ensuring patient safety.
• Escorting patients to required locations within or outside the health care setting, as directed by a registered nurse or professional staff member.
• Taking patient vital signs, performing finger stick tests, and entering data into the electronic medical record.
• Maintaining ward/unit cleanliness, including linen, utility, treatment, storage rooms, and recreational areas.
• Disinfecting personal items as required.
• Performing functions of a basic Nurse’s Aide in support of the above tasks and other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or 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.
• Valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) within sixty (60) calendar days of appointment.