Mental Health Worker I

Paraprofessional Support WorkThis is paraprofessional support work involving the direct care, rehabilitation, and behavior modification of patients in state institutions. Responsibilities include implementing programs in the treatment or education of the mentally ill or developmentally disabled, providing direct patient care, and maintaining resident areas. Employees may act as group leader or primary aide over an assigned group of patients. Work is performed under general supervision.Representative tasks include:Observes and records patient behavior and submits observations to treatment team in order to assist in the development of individual treatment plan (ITP).Implements specific treatment programs of remotivation and resocialization training for patients in order to provide direct care to residents.Responds to and interacts with patients, intervening when necessary, in order to provide a role model of appropriate behavior.Talks to and contacts family or outside agencies as delegated by supervisor in order to relay information or make arrangements for aspects of patient treatment.Guides, trains, and motivates patients in daily living and work activities such as maintaining their own living area and personal hygiene in order to develop individual skills.Prepares and dispenses medication under supervision of Registered Nurse (RN) in order to ensure patients receive proper medication on time.Takes and records vital signs in order to document patient condition and keep accurate records.Administers minor first aid to patients in order to take care of emergencies.Changes bed linens and clothing; and sorts, counts, distributes, and collects clean and/or soiled linen and clothing in order to maintain patients living areas.Distributes and serves food, maintains food serving and dining areas, and picks up trays in order to ensure patients are properly fed and established cleanliness and sanitary standards are met.Observes habitual conduct of patients and reports to supervisor in order to advise of any change in behavior.Writes records and other papers in order to document patient treatment and progress.Cleans, dusts, mops, and vacuums activity and patient living areas in order to ensure proper standards of cleanliness.Washes and bathes patients in order to ensure residents are kept clean.Participates in in-service training programs in order to develop skills and knowledges and enhance effectiveness.Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of a Department approved training program or current valid certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant as issued by Maine Department of Education. Some positions may require possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operator's License.Licensing/registration/certification requirements include certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) as issued by the Maine Department of Education or completion of a Department approved training program.