Mental Health Specialist, Full-Time, Flexible Shift, Jackson South

Miami, FL Full-Time Adult Psych

Summary

The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) is a member of the care team whose job duties support the delivery of a single standard of care, under the supervision of a registered nurse, for mentally ill patients in the patient care treatment facility.

Responsibilities

Performs patient care observations and duties as directed by the RN and outlined in the hospital's policies and procedures. Manage patient activities and provide patient education. Assist with maintaining a therapeutic milieu in accordance with policy. Supervise patient activities in the milieu and respond/intervene per protocol. Utilize verbal de-escalation techniques and coping strategies to help reduce the risk of patients' disruptive and aggressive behavior. Identify behaviors that may require seclusion, restraint, or other clinical intervention, and escalate to the primary nurse or nurse leader. Participate in the restraint and seclusion of patients according to hospital policy and procedures. Escort and monitor patients during fresh air breaks. Perform a variety of tasks associated with generalized patient care including, vital signs, feeding, mobility, personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, bed making/linen changes, assists the health care team with preparing supplies, and sets up/or remove equipment. Utilizes specialized equipment as needed when providing patient care (glucometer, restraints etc.). Assists, as needed, in the preparation of patient treatment areas between patient use (seclusion room, quiet room), etc. Perform ongoing observations of patients and documents their status in the electronic observation record. Report unusual findings to the primary nurse or the nurse leader. Maintains accurate precautionary monitoring (suicidal, violence, and elopement) q. 15 minutes; reports and records patient's physical and emotional whereabouts, activity, and behavior. Responsibly monitors patients in recreational therapies, psychotherapy, and education programs; and documents significant behaviors. Engage patients in daily activities, including group facilitation. In JBHH, assume responsibility for proper handling of patient's clothing and property at the time of admission, transfer, and discharge; and completes necessary documentation. Assist in the fabrication of adaptive and assistive equipment, i.e. washing mitts, wheelchair gloves, safety belts, straps, etc. Maintain the storage closet and ensure therapeutic activity materials are available. Follows up on patient care responsibilities and assignments left from previous shifts and reports any incomplete assignments to ensure continuity of procedures. Assists with orientation of new employees, as needed. Engages in culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate interventions in order to work with patients from a variety of backgrounds and diverse populations. Demonstrates behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise). Performs all other related job duties as assigned.

Experience

Generally requires 0 to 3 years of related experience.

Education

High School diploma is required.

Skill

Basic knowledge of psychiatric, psychological and medical terminologies and their clinical implications for treatment of patients. Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with critical thinking and professional composure. Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment. Knowledge and skill in use of job appropriate technology and software applications. Must meet and maintain current all unit specific and organizational skills/competencies, certifications/licensures, as required by the nursing area.

Credentials

Valid Florida Behavioral Health Technician Certification preferred. American Heart Association and any additional applicable life support certification for Healthcare Providers may be required at the unit level upon hire with at least 6 months validity and maintenance at JHS for the duration of employment.

Unit Specific Credential

AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) with 6 months validity

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements - Job function requires extended standing or walking. Must be able to carry objects weighing 21 to 50 pounds. Able to lift or move objects weighing 51 to 100 pounds with the use of appropriate devices. Jobs in this group require frequent visual acuity to perform activities related to extended use of computers. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).

Environmental Conditions - Jobs in this group are required to function in a fast paced environment with occasional high pressure or emergent and stressful situations. Frequent interaction with a diverse population including team members, providers, patients, insurance companies and other members of the public. Function is subject to inside environmental conditions, with occasional outdoor exposures. Exposure to various environments such as: communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a hospital and medical office environment. May also be exposed to needle sticks, airborne infections, medical gases, X-Ray, chemical exposures and other potential hazards. Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when exposed to infectious/clinical hospital environment. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).