Mental Health Associate

Mental Health Worker

Participates in patient admission and discharge process by performing the following duties:

• Accurately obtains and records admission vital signs, height and weight, and documents these on the Nursing Assessment Form.
• Records and processes patient belongings and valuables on admission and at discharge.
• Orients patients to the physical layout of the unit, milieu staff, unit rules, schedules and Patient's rights, and documents this on the Nursing Assessment form
• Participates in implementing the interdisciplinary treatment plan for individual patients by performing the following duties:
• Accurately monitors, reports, and documents routine vital signs as assigned.
• Accurately monitors, reports and documents patient intake and output as assigned.
• Assists with the collection of routine specimens.
• Assists in all aspects of basic nursing care utilizing, i.e., bed-making, patient transfers with knowledge of proper body mechanics.
• Assists patients as needed with activities of daily living (ADLs) including eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, ambulating and all aspects of personal hygiene and care.
• Assists and monitors patients' adherence to pre and post-test protocols and ECT procedures as determined by the Registered Nurse.
• Escorts patients to and from unit for tests and activities as needed.
• Performs and documents patient safety checks at scheduled intervals per assignment.
• Performs 1:1 observation for high risk patients as assigned.
• Participates in limit setting with patients and other de-escalation techniques.
• Assists in a team approach to provide physical control of patients in a crisis situation.
• Including assisting with implementation of restraints and/or seclusion.
• Assists in medical emergencies as directed.
• Monitors and promptly communicates all observations or information relative to patient's safety or clinical status or treatment to Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee and documents information as needed in Progress Notes.
• Prepares daily patient-related information sheets as assigned.
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings and patient conferences by sharing patient related observations/information.
• May co-lead community meeting and therapeutic groups for patients as designated by the Patient Care Director.

Participates in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment on the unit by the following:

• Monitors the overall milieu per assignment and reports any patient or environmental issues which might impact on patient care or patient/staff safety.
• Maintains proper professional demeanor with patients, families, visitors, and co-workers.
• Utilizes principles of AVADE in managing high risk situations.
• Assists in maintaining cleanliness, sanitation and orderliness of unit.
• Is dependable and punctual in reporting to work

Responsibilities/Non
- Essential Functions:

• Functions as a resource person for orienting staff, students, visitors and families.
• Assists with answering unit phone and monitoring access to the unit when needed.
• Performs related duties as needed.

Reporting Requirements:

• Reports immediately to the Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee, the following:
• Any unusual occurrence related to patients, staff, self, or visitor.
• Any change or question of change in a patient's clinical condition.
• Incidents and/or breaches in quality of care.
• Incidents and/or breaches in patient's civil rights.
• Observations related to environmental safety or equipment maintenance or development of a potential crisis situation.

Accountability:

The Mental Health Worker shall be accountable for the following:

• Maintains the confidentiality and security of all Medical Center-related, staff-related, and patient-related data and information.
• Abides by all Nursing and Department of Psychiatry policies and procedures.
• Abides by all relevant Medical Center policies and procedures, including infection control.
• Keeps informed of each patient's physical, mental, legal status, assigned observation and privilege level and daily nursing care plan.
• Keeps proper patient identification by requesting patient name and checking
• Consistently when interacting with milieu.
• Facilitates fiscal…