I. POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Psych and the direct supervision of the shift nurses, the Mental Health Worker is responsible for basic care, comfort, and safety of the patients. The Mental Health Worker establishes a therapeutic relationship with assigned patients and facilitates the maintenance of the therapeutic milieu on the unit.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

All duties under the direct supervision of the nurse.

The Mental Health worker is responsible for the following duties:

• monitoring patients during and between group times.
• daily calling patients and assignment into groups.
• assists nursing staff with charts, vitals etc…
• updating patient schedule
• monitoring hallways and unit for safety.
• patient care: assuring relevant information is passed on to the treatment team.
• documents changes in observed or reported patient behaviors.
• intervenes in crisis situations
• maintains awareness of patients rights
• answer the phone as needed
• assist physician in seeing patients
• maintain unit rules
• assist patients on smoke breaks
• assist with new admissions including search of patients and their belongings, inventory belongings of new admissions, orient new patients to the Unit, makes sure urine specimen is collected, takes and documents all admission vital signs, start new 15-minute check on new admissions, make sure patient is wearing armband for identification, document body mass index on nursing assessment
• maintain safety and cleanliness of unit and patients
• encourage patients to attend groups
• chart observation notes in medical record
• empty soiled linen hamper
• document group intervention progress notes
• monitor patients during visiting hours and visits off the Unit
• provides continual observation to one or two patients or as needed

I. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma; Bachelor degree in health related field preferred. One year experience in inpatient psychiatric setting preferred. Current CPR.

Certified Nursing Assistant preferred.

II. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

a. Physical Activity: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light to Medium Work.

b. Working Hazards or Risks – routine hazards and risks involved in performing nursing activities, including potential exposure to infectious processes, potential exposure to hazardous substance, potential musculoskeletal injuries.

c. Current CPR