Mental Health Associate - Inpatient Psychiatry - MSM - Part Time/Nights

Mental Health Associate is an individual who functions in both a support and collaborative role with the Registered Professional Nurse by providing direct care to individual and to groups of psychiatric patients within the Psychiatry Care Center.

1. Assists the nursing staff in performing selected nursing procedures and functional tasks to specific patients
2. Assists with the admissions transfer and discharge of patients according to established policy and procedures.
3. Provides direct physical care and/or one to one observation to selected patients under supervision
4. Carries out procedures as taught
5. Assists with patients examinations treatments and procedures
6. Assists with lifting positioning. moving and ambulating patients using body mechanics as instructed
7. Transports patients by wheelchair stretcher or bed
8. Assists in preventive measures and crisis interventions (i. e. suicide aggression elopement self- harm and sexual risks).
9. Assists in de-escalation of agitated patients and utilizes crisis prevention techniques as necessary for the management of potential destructive behaviors
10. Escorts ambulatory patients
11. Escorts patients outside of the hospital as necessary
12. Goes on errands as necessary
13. Aware of the need for safety devices; applies or assists with application as taught.
14. Cares for patients personal possessions and reports presence of valuables to the nurse or ward clerk
15. Answers call lights attends to the patients needs and/or reports patients concerns and requests to the nurse
16. Reports pertinent information and observations regarding patients to the nurse
17. Communicates information and basic instructions to patients families and visitors
18. Participates in exchange of patient daily report and nursing care conferences
19. Obtains and records blood pressure temperature pulse and respiration rate in accordance with hospital policy.
20. Attends staff and educational meetings
21. Works safely and provides for the safety of patients and others
22. Maintains neat and clean patient and service areas
23. Organize and implement group activities in conjunction with the unit program and other staff and document patient participation and report to nurse.
24. Facilitate the patients transition toward discharge
25. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of desired effects and side effects of psychotropic medication.
26. Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team meetings as assigned.
27. Perform Q20 minute environmental/patient safety rounds and implement a higher level of observation in emergencies. Immediately reports any need for increased observation to the clinical nurse for further assessment.
28. Establish and foster collegial therapeutic relationships with peers support staff and other disciplines.
29. Demonstrate therapeutic skills in crisis intervention.
30. Demonstrates safe use of equipment safety precautions in all aspects of patient care activities ( applications transportation).
31. Recognizes changes in a patients status sharing findings with the primary nurse.
32. Demonstrate basic knowledge of DSM-IV diagnoses.
33. Assists with emergency interventions based on clinical manifestation (i.e. choking respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest).
34. Demonstrates awareness of the effect of the physiological changes (decrease vision hearing and speaking) when utilizing verbal/written skills to communicate with the elderly.
35. Selects toys and play room activities consistent with the age and developmental stage of the child/adolescent patient. Maintains cleanliness of toys
36. Assists on restraining patients and providing monitoring and comfort of those patients in restraint.
37. Perform phlebotomy/fingerstick procedures as assigned.
38. Perform EKG as assigned.
39. Perform supplemental components of the nursing admission i.e. tour of unit orientation patient and belonging search as defined by RN.
40. Participate in Clinical Specialty Performance Improvement Activities.
41. Document care administered according to policy.
42. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care based on physical psychosocial educational safety and related criteria appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned area
43. Assist in supervision of volunteers assigned to the unit

Age Specific Competencies (Neonate/Infant Pediatric Adolescent Adult Geriatric)

1. 1. Identifies physical behavioral and emotional characteristics typical for the age group
   2. Modifies approaches based on patient age-specific needs and responses to treatment
   3. Provides care for patients based on age-specific needs
   4. Uses communication techniques which are age appropriate

B. Organizational/Managerial

1. Participates in the Department of Nursing Quality Improvement Program/activities
2. Maintains patient/employee confidentiality in the management of information

C. Educational/Professional Development

1. Participates in the development of other staff members
2. Meets regulatory licensure and annual health assessment requirements

D. Communication/Relationships

1. Demonstrates a professional courteous and respectful attitude in dealing with patients families and significant others.
2. Displays courtesy tact and patience during interactions with all members of the hospital staff and extended community.
3. Maintains positive interpersonal skills with patients visitors and staff
4. Adheres to MSHS legal and ethical standards
5. May be required to perform other duties as assigned

Items 1-41 are essential functions of this position under the Americans with Disabilities Act

• Associate Degree or equivalent with some college level courses preferred
• Satisfactory completion of a Basic Medical Assistants Skills Training Program or equivalent including EKG and Venipuncture skills.
• One (1) year of satisfactory work performance as a Nurses Aide or Patient Care Associate preferred
• Successful completion of a Crisis Prevention and Intervention Course and updated according to policy.
• Ability to read write understand and speak English in a clear and concise manner. Visual and aural acuity to assess patient within parameters of job responsibilities. Communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a wide variety of individuals. Orientation toward consumer satisfaction. Physical stamina manual dexterity and visual and aural acuity to perform duties. Trained on the job. Successful completion of on site preparation program.
• Prior healthcare experience with demonstrated competency in a psychiatric setting preferred.
• Current Heart Saver Certification from American Heart Association. BCLS will also be accepted as an alternative.

Collective bargaining unit: SEIU 1199-MSSL