What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mental Health Specialist | Nights position at Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care?
Position Summary
The Mental Health Specialist, as a vital member of the primary treatment team, assists nurses in triaging and managing the medical and behavioral health needs of patients in the Evaluation and Treatment and/or Secure Withdrawal Management units at Recovery Place Kent.
Essential Job Functions
- Provide feedback and recommendations to care team regarding behavioral aspects of patient interdisciplinary care plans
- Provides feedback and recommendations to care team in regards to patient service improvements
- Assist in the detection and proactive intervention with patients at-risk for behavioral escalation
- Conduct front-line patient care to include the taking and recording of pertinent medical information as delegate by nursing staff, to include vital signs, blood pressure, temperature, etc.
- Assisting clients with basic activities of daily living tasks, to include ambulation assistance, bathing, toileting, etc.
- Consistent team communication with nursing staff (RNs and LPNs) in regards to medical monitoring results and observed physical health or behavioral concerns
- Entering, transcribing, recording, and maintaining patient health care information in written and/or electronic form
- Observe and influence patient’s behavior with therapeutic interventions in the milieu by means of conflict resolution, communicating and interacting, initiating therapeutic activities, and utilizing varietal non-violent de-escalation skills, etc.
- Assist nurses with admissions and discharge processes and interfacility transfers to include belongings inventory, transmission and gathering of records, compiling patient charts, assisting patients with dressing/undressing/hygiene needs, providing and collecting clean/dirty linens, taking vitals as delegated, etc.
- Apply and/or facilitate the safe and appropriate application of restraints as per policy and protocol
- Provide 1:1 sitting for patients who are behaviorally escalated, have a history of behavioral concerns, who are attending court on-site, and/or who are currently in seclusion and/or restraint
- Demonstrate respect for, and enforce patient rights, and maintain confidentiality as per HIPPA and agency policy
- Record patient observations and activities in patient records accurately and timely in accordance with nursing standards and organizational policy and procedure
- Maintain a safe environment applying principles of medical asepsis, infection control techniques and universal precautions. Follow agency infection control plan and policies
- Change linens and sanitize patient rooms and bathrooms as per policy for the purpose of cleaning up bodily fluids or other spills, and/or admitting new patients
- Follow all policies and procedures with regard to patient information protection, including mental health and alcohol-drug patient confidentiality (42 CFR) and HIPAA (45 CFR)
- Attend mandatory trainings and meetings
- Perform other duties as assigned within appropriate scope
Minimum Qualifications
- Certified Nursing Assistant in the State of Washington
- Active BLS Card
- Food Handlers Permit
- CPI Certification required within 6 months of hire (training provided by Valley Cities)
- High School Diploma/GED
- Pass required background checks
Experience
- One or more years in a Psychiatric or Acute Care setting preferred
- One or more years working in a setting with clients living with mental health or substance use disorders preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Basic knowledge of mental health and substance abuse disorders
- Strong verbal and written communication proficiencies
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Exceptional interpersonal and social perceptiveness skills
- Service oriented behavior
- Proactive learning behavior
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Computer/technology literacy and proficiency
Working Conditions
Direct patient care requires the ability to lift, push, pull, twist, stoop, and lift up to 50 lbs. without assistance. Most work takes place in an acute inpatient setting, where the noise level in the work area is typical with telephones, personal interruptions, and a multiplicity of background noises. Performance of duties as a Mental Health Specialist may include exposure to hazardous materials (such as body fluids, needle sticks). In the event of emergency, disaster, or extreme weather conditions, Mental Health Specialists may be required to remain in facility to ensure patients receive proper care if there is a staffing shortage.
