Patient Care Associate (PCA) Psychiatry

Job Summary:
Functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team providing a full range of services to patients admitted to the inpatient psychiatry service. Participates in the patients admission and orientation to the inpatient unit.

Essential Duties:
-Functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team providing a full range of services to patients admitted to the inpatient psychiatry service.
-Participates in the patients admission and orientation to the inpatient unit.
-Responsible for assisting patients with changing; searching of patients; securing of valuables; review of unit rules and regulations and providing orientation to room and unit.
-Assists with preparation and updating of the Nursing Care Plan and Interdisciplinary Treatment Team.
-Plan and assists with therapeutic interventions in order to implement the plans as established.
-Performs selected direct care duties including therapeutic intervention taking of vital signs and other health related data (i.e. height weight etc.) simple dressing changes sputum blood and urine collection urine testing personal hygiene (i.e. feeding bathing shaving dressing etc.) and EKGs.
-Assists with the provision of concrete services i.e. transportation obtaining clothes check cashing etc.
-Leads and co-leads various patient activity groups both recreational and therapeutic in nature.
-Assists with the preparation and implementation of discharge plan i.e. arranging transportation maintaining contact with family/others so as to facilitate the patients discharge.
-Acts as patient escort both on and off the Medical Center (i.e. radiology for tests day treatment and residential programs Bellevue Court recreational patient outings as ordered by MD etc.).
-Intervenes with physical restraints of violent/aggressive patients.
-Assists with the care of patients in seclusion/restraint as per departmental policy.
-Initiates CPR when necessary and assists the nursing tam in carrying out the Code 77 protocol. .
-Practices and maintains infection control.
-Maintains an assigned patient caseload providing ongoing supportive counseling to both the patient and family.

Required Skills & Experience:
-If no Associates degree: 2 years experience working in law enforcement Nursing or Psychiatric/Behavioral Health; or with Mental Health Population Counseling Group Family Dynamics.
-Venipuncture experience
-EKG skills

Preferred Skills & Experience:
-N/A

Required Education:
-HS Diploma or equivalent AND 2 years of full-time experience in law enforcement Nursing or Psychiatric/Behavioral Health; or Mental Health Population Counseling Group Family Dynamics
OR
-Associates degree preferably in mental health or related focus.

Required Certifications & Licensure:
-BLS (American Heart Assoc.)
-CPI or PMCS certification
-SEL and SCR background checks