Mental Health Specialist, Jackson Behavioral Health, Geri Med Unit, Full-Time, Nights

Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital

Department: Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital 
Address: 1695 NW 9th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136
Shift Details: Night Shift, 12 Hour Shifts

Why Jackson:
Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital (JBHH) is a three-story, 180,000-square-foot facility committed to the highest quality, treatment, and service. Opened in 1999, JBHH consolidates evaluation, clinical treatment, teaching and research, to offer a full continuum of care for children, adolescents, adults and elderly, including crisis stabilization, inpatient hospitalization, and outpatient programs. In association with the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry, JBHH offers specialized treatment for numerous conditions including depression and mood disorders, schizophrenia, suicidal ideation or behavior, anxiety and panic disorders, drug and alcohol abuse and Alzheimer's disease. JBHH also specializes in criminal justice mental health services.

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.
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Experience

• Generally, requires 0 to 3 years of related experience.

Education

• High School diploma is required.

Credentials

• Valid Florida Behavioral Health Technician Certification preferred. 
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) and any additional applicable life support certification for Healthcare Providers is required upon hire with at least 6 months validity and maintenance at JHS for the duration of employment.

Unit Specific Credential

• FL-BLS

Jackson Health System is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law.