Mental Health Specialist I - Adolescent Unit- Evenings

Overview

Hours: 3:00pm‑11:30pm, FTE 0.6‑0.8, 24‑32 hours/week (every other Saturday & Sunday required). Rate: Starts at $20.16/hour, plus $1.80 shift differential for evenings and $1.80 for weekends. Floats to other Behavioral Health nursing units as needed.

Job Description Summary

Performs basic supportive and trauma‑informed care to specified patients and families under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or clinical supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Participates with the interdisciplinary team in specialized patient care.
• Provides care for patient assignments as delegated.
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and families through effective communication and education.
• Delivers trauma‑informed care, utilizes positive reinforcement, and operates within a therapeutic relationship.
• Maintains staff and patient safety through de‑escalation, limit setting, and physical interventions.
• Collaborates with other healthcare professionals to develop treatment plans.
• Acts as a resource to unit staff regarding diagnoses, behavior plans, relationship‑based care, protective equipment, and crisis management.

Education and Certifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent (required).
• Current enrollment in and completion of at least half of a Psychology, Social Work, or related undergraduate program, or equivalent experience (required).
• BLS certification from the American Heart Association; must be completed prior to finishing unit‑based orientation (due within 90 days of hire) and maintained thereafter.
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification provided by the organization; required prior to finishing unit‑based orientation (due within 90 days of hire) and maintained thereafter.
• First Aid certification provided by the organization; required prior to finishing unit‑based orientation (due within 90 days of hire) and maintained thereafter.

Experience

One year of hospital experience in a mental health role within the past three years, or equivalent education (required).

Skills

• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Interpersonal and problem‑solving skills.

Physical Requirements

OCCASIONALLY: Biohazard waste, chemicals/medications, climb stairs/ladder, fume/gases/vapors, lifting/carrying 0‑10 lbs, 11‑20 lbs, 21‑40 lbs, 41‑60 lbs, patient equipment, pushing/pulling 0‑25 lbs, 26‑40 lbs, 41‑60 lbs, 61‑100 lbs.

FREQUENTLY: Bend/twist, blood and/or bodily fluids, communicable diseases and/or pathogens, computer skills, flexing/extending of neck, loud noises, reaching above shoulder, squat/kneel.

CONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, color vision, decision making, depth perception, hand use (grasping, gripping, turning), hearing acuity, interpreting data, peripheral vision, problem solving, repetitive hand/arm use, seeing (far/near), sitting, standing, walking.

Additional Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform therapeutic crisis intervention moves, wear and function in helmets and other safety equipment, provide rapid physical response when needed, apply principles of body mechanics when lifting or moving patients and/or equipment, and be able to move or reposition patients of any weight or size with the assistance of another person(s) and/or equipment.

EEO M/F/Disability/Vet