Crisis Worker

A Roman Catholic facility founded by the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph and sponsored by Catholic Health International, St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center aspires to live the healing mission of Christ within the South Side community of Chicago. The mission calls us to care for the sick and promote the health of the residents in the community while witnessing the Christian values of respect, dignity, caring and compassion for all persons.

We are recruiting for detailed, compassionate, and friendly Crisis Workers.

The Crisis Worker completes delegated aspects of the patient admission/transfer and/or discharge process. Observes patient behaviors, symptoms, and problems and reports findings. The Crisis Worker completes and maintains patient records; assures environment is safe and sanitary; and assists in medical and psychiatric emergencies. This position provides direct patient care including: Assisting with ADLs, 1:1 observation, escorting patients on/off unit, taking vital signs, and assisting in milieu management. The Crisis Worker also obtains intake information needed to facilitate disposition of patients requiring a higher level of care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in an acute psychiatric setting.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Take vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc. Report any abnormal findings to the Charge Nurse. Record the findings in the Patient Care Record.
• Collect and assist with the collection of urine. Label all specimens, complete laboratory log sheet, and deliver samples within 15 minutes if stat venipuncture.
• Consistently apply and adhere to isolation procedures and techniques.
• Ensure patients receive their dietary trays and set-up trays for the patients. Assist and/or feed patients, as needed. Pick-up all dietary trays not picked up by Food & Nutritional Staff.
• Assist with the positioning and re-positioning of patients as instructed by the Registered Nurse demonstrating the importance of correct positioning and body alignment when applying restraints.
• Ensure patient beds are in the low position and locked at all times. Ensure that side rails are up at all times. Ensure patients are properly secured when transferring to or from a bed, wheelchair, or stretcher.
• When transferring patients, collect the patient’s personal belongings and ensure belongings go with patient to new unit.
• Transport patients to and from other departments.
• Assist with admission, transfer, and discharge of patients. Report missing documents to the nurse.
• Observe patients’ behavior, symptoms, patterns and deviations and report findings to nurse or supervisor.
• Observe and document in the progress notes patients’ reactions to drug and treatment, or any other usual conditions and report adverse reactions to medication or treatment to medical personnel in charge.
• Assist in psychiatric emergencies in the area.
• Monitor patients on precautions/restraints according to hospital policy.
• Redirect patients, as needed.
• Complete progress notes using the D.A.R.P. format for assigned patients.
• Maintain awareness of comfort and safety needs of patients. Remove harmful objects from patients.
• Imprint patient information neatly and accurately on chart forms and insert forms as required in medical record.
• Assemble and maintain charts and assure charts are complete before transfer or discharge.
• Initiate Triage II protocols in computer system.
• Perform charges and document departure and discharge information in the computer system.
• Photocopy and fax documents, as needed.
• Maintain current telephone and beeper information and place telephone calls when requested.
• Order, receive, store, and maintain unit supplies at appropriate levels.
• Reinforce no smoking policy.
• Notify nurse immediately if need professional nurse intervention.
• Make frequent rounds to check on patients.
• Handle telephone information with courtesy, accuracy, and confidentiality.
• Communicate effectively with patients and family members and document interventions in the medical record.
• Communicate pertinent information regarding patients to physician, Nurse Managers, Coordinators, and staff.
• Participate in department or unit quality improvement activities.
• Achieve and maintain competency in skills and comply with policies associated with the skills inventory.
• Maintain personal education record.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $20.00 - $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Acute Psychiatric: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $21