What are the responsibilities and job description for the MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANT PSYCHIATRIC NURSE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2025- 23601 position at New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services?
Under the direction of the Nurse Manager or designee, performs basic, routine duties related directly and indirectly to nursing care of patients.
Patient care responsibilities are delivered with a knowledge of patient growth and development and are appropriate to the ages of the patients served.
Takes and records TPR and reports deviations from normal to primary or Charge Nurse.
Obtains specimens as assigned (e.g., urine, stool, sputum).
Weighs patient and records weight.
Assists patient with activities of daily living including skin care (e.g., bathes, dress, ambulate and assists with meals).
Records oral intake and urinary output.
Performs assigned treatments (e.g., changes simple dressings).
Communicates effectively with Charge Nurse/primary nurse regarding patients needs and requests.
Orients patient to environment and develops rapport with patients, family and significant others.
Assists in patient management including de-escalation, alternative activities to prevent restraint and seclusion and physically assists in patient containment, restraint or seclusion under the direction of the Registered Nurse (e.g., Team 20/Dr. Strong).
Performs admission and unit searches as assigned by the Registered Nurse to include shake, pat and observation of patient belongings as well as visual searches of same gender patients on admission.
Keeps patient unit and non-patient unit clean (e.g., wipes tables, neatens storage rooms, pantries and other areas).
Prepares bedside unit for new admissions (e.g., stocks with bedpan, tissues, water, cups).
Applies principles of infection control and safety in the work environment.
Reports significant unit problems to charge nurse.
Ensures that contraband is not introduced into the unit environment by property search, unit rounds and visitor monitoring.
Monitors visiting sessions as assigned by the Charge Nurse.
Assists in transporting patients to/from designated areas as assigned (e.g. recreation activities, testing, court).
Assists with unit therapeutic activities as directed by the Registered Nurse.
Ensures a safe unit environment through rounding, patient observation, reporting environmental issues or patient problems to the Registered Nurse.
Effectively utilizes the hospital computer system as it pertains to job responsibilities and in accordance with hospital policy.
Participates in orientation of mental health assistants.
Participates in unit committees and in CQI activities as assigned.
Assists other personnel as necessary.
