Therapeutic Assistant - Youth EmPATH Unit - Mental Health

Youth EmPath Unit is a 4-bay behavioral health area for youth patients (17 years and under) in crisis who typically benefit from a therapeutic milieu in less than 72 hours before disposition. All bays are open and single occupancy, located on the 2nd floor of SJCH.

About the Role

The Therapeutic Assistant reports to the Nurse Manager and provides patient care under the direction of a registered nurse, following the multi-disciplinary treatment plan and daily assignment sheet. Responsibilities include assisting with patient admission and discharge, monitoring and promoting a safe therapeutic environment, maintaining patients' activities of daily living, and supporting the therapeutic program.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care as directed by the multi-disciplinary treatment plan and daily assignment sheet.
• Assist with patient admission and discharge processes.
• Monitor and promote the safety of the therapeutic environment.
• Maintain patients' activities of daily living.
• Support the therapeutic program.

Requirements

• Therapeutic Assistant I: High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Therapeutic Assistant II: Bachelor's degree in Human Services or closely related field, or high school diploma and 1 year of experience in behavioral health or related healthcare.

Qualifications

• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) required within 2 weeks of hire; must maintain current BLS certification (AHA or American Red Cross equivalent).
• Certification in TACT and First Aid within the first 6 months of employment; TACT certification renewed annually, BLS and First Aid renewed biannually.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform job functions while standing, sitting, or walking (continuous).
• Ability to climb stairs (infrequent).
• Ability to work indoors (continuous) and outside in temperature extremes (infrequent).
• Ability to work from elevated areas (frequent) and in confined/cramped spaces (frequent).
• Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions (infrequent), bending at the waist (continuous), twisting at the waist (frequent), and squatting (frequent).
• Ability to perform pinching, gross motor, and fine manipulation operations with fingers and hands (continuous).
• Ability to reach overhead (frequent) and in all directions (continuous).
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders (continuous).
• Ability to fully use both legs and lower extremities for balance and coordination (continuous/frequent).
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted (infrequent).
• Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted (infrequent).
• Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (infrequent).
• Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force (frequent). Examples:
  • Transferring a 100 lb. patient unable to assist requires 50 lbs. of force; for every additional 100 lbs., assistance is required.
  • 20 lbs. of force to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet.
  • 25 lbs. of force to push a stretcher with a patient using one hand.
• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one or both eyes (continuous).
• Ability to see and recognize objects at close and far distances, match/discriminate colors, and determine depth perception (continuous).
• Good peripheral vision capabilities (continuous).
• Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction (continuous).
• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements (continuous).
• Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations (continuous).
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays (frequent).
• Ability to work overtime as required (frequent).
• Ability to work in a latex-safe environment (continuous).
• Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions (continuous).
• Selected positions may require:
  • Maintaining good olfactory sensory function (continuous).
  • Physical qualification for respirator use (continuous).

Pay

Hourly pay grade: Health-21.

Schedule

• 3-12 hour day shifts per week, including weekends and holidays.
• Scheduled weekly hours: 40.
• Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Hourly.