Mental Health Worker

Organization:

ABSMC-Alta Bates Herrick Campus

Position Overview:

The Mental Health Worker performs duties under the direction of the Unit Charge Nurse, Relief Charge Nurse, or Team Leader. This position is responsible for gathering and reporting observational data, providing direct patient care to assigned patients, implementing therapeutic interventions and emotional support for patient during hospitalization on the acute care inpatient services at Alta Bates/Summit Medical Center. The position requires proficiency in verbal de-escalation of anxious and agitated patients. Mental Health Workers assist the R.N. in assuring the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment, in the implementation of the program, in processing admissions and discharges, and in assisting patients in activities of daily living.

Job Description:

• Assists patients in bathing and personal hygiene as required, encouraging maximal independent functioning by the patient. Assures that all patients are dressed appropriately in street clothes unless they are physically ill, in seclusion, or on elopement precautions. Assists patients to maintain their room in an orderly manner, including having their beds made daily.
• Utilizes communication skills and facilitates patient communication and interaction.
• Maitains an overview of the milieu and is sensitive to shifts in mood or activity which may signal the need for nursing intervention. Reports these shifts in milieu to the R.N.
• Asists patients to develop constructive alternative behaviors that enhance their coping skills, self esteem and promote symptom reduction.
• Assists patients to establish goals for recovery and relapse prevention.
• Uses the multidisciplinary care plan and the Rand to guide interventions and documentation; makes suggestions for interventions to the treatment team.
• Leads community meeting using established unit protocols, and co-facilitates or facilitates other groups of a recreational nature using established unit guidelines.
• Accompanies patients for testing and other activities which require supervision.
• Applies hospital procedures for emergencies, including Code Blue, Priority One, Code Grey, disaster and fire drills.
• Accompanies patients on attended privileges, and assures that all patients that are taken off the unit on walks are not on a 5150 or 5250 hold for dangerousness. Obtains RN approval of the patient walk list prior to taking patients on walks. Uses personal judgement in collaboration with the R.N. in refusing walks to patients with privileges when their behavior indicates they may not be safe off the unit. Follows established protocols for walks.
• Adheres to state mental health regulations regarding confidentiality, patient's rights, and voluntary and involuntary detentions.
• Documents observations and interventions legibly in the medical record, using acceptable hospital abbreviations, and problem oriented format.
• Participates in patient admissions by assembling charts, obtaining historical data about the patient, taking and recording vital signs, heights and weights, completing advisements, conducting searches for contraband, orienting new patients to the milieu and the program, and introducing patients to the current patient population and staff.
• Maintains a safe, clean, hazard free enviromnents and reports safety issues to the R.N. immediately.
• Functions within the hospital treatment philosophy, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Assists the R.N. in ensuring that rounds are performed in a timely manner and that the components of the program are implemented according to the posted schedule.
• Assists in the orientation of new staff to the unit.
• Participates in patient discharges by assisting the patient to gather and pack belongings, retrieving belongings from locked areas and the safe, implementing interventions to reduce patient anxiety during the discharge process.
• Participates in providing nourishment for all patients through supervision of communal dining, noting intake of food, assuring special diets are distributed appropriately, assuring that patients in seclusion and/or restraints are provided proper meal service. Assures that dining areas and kitchen areas are clean and safe before and after meals. Reports problems with nutritional intake to the R.N.
• Cares for the patient in seclusion and restraints, and in conjunction with the R.N., assures that observations are completed and documented, and that physical and emotional needs of the patient are being addressed per hospital policy. Assists the R.N. in assessing the patient's readiness for release from seclusion. Restrains patients safely with attention to physical or emotional needs that may jeopardize patient safety.
• Communicates with patielits in a manner that demonstrates caring, compassion and respect. De­ escalates potentially assaultive situations using least restrictive alternatives, and intervenes quickly in emergency situations using manaement of assaultive behavior principles.
• Attends physicians' physical examinations; assures that the examining room is clean and well-stocked prior to and followingphysical examinations.
• Acts as a resource for family members, assisting the milieu during visiting hours, monitoring family visits, searching belongings brought by families to the patients, clarifying unit policies to family members in a respectful and helpful manner.
• Utilizes principles of customer service, including respect, accessibility and caring to patients, families and coworkers.

EDUCATION

• Equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.
• Bachelor's: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university

CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE

• BLS-Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AS TYPICALLY ACQUIRED IN:

• Minimum of 12 months of experience in a behavioral health care setting.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Must possess effective interpersonal skills.
• Must have a functional knowledge of psychiatric terminology

Job Shift:

Days

Schedule:

Per Diem/Casual

Shift Hours:

8

Days of the Week:

Variable

Weekend Requirements:

One Weekend Shift a month

Benefits:

No

Unions:

Yes

Position Status:

Non-Exempt

Weekly Hours:

0

Employee Status:

Per Diem/Casual

Number of Openings:

1

Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Pay Range is $29.00 to $32.50 / hour

Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment. Applicants for specific positions are still required to disclose certain convictions during the application process, and those convictions may also be considered in determining eligibility for employment in accordance with applicable law.

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