Mental Health Specialist - Depression & Anxiety

Under direction of the Registered Nurse, the MHS provides direct patient care and participates in therapeutic milieu.
Does this position require Patient Care? Yes
Essential Functions
Assists the RN in providing direct patient care.
1. Accurate and timely documentation of AFS, progress notes, and observation sheets.
2. Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients, maintaining professional boundaries.
3. Participates in patient rounds or teams.
4. Completes patient care assignments.
5. Identifies patient behaviors that contribute to the development of a crisis; utilizes non-verbal and verbal.
6. Techniques to de-escalate crisis situation.
7. Intervenes in managing complex patient situations and patient schedules, utilizing department policies and procedures, always promoting the least restrictive alternatives.
8. Communicates changes in patient status to RN.
9. Follows Standards of Care and protocols for assigned patients.
10. Remains awake and alert at all times while on the job.
11. Performs Point of Care testing (POC).
Works effectively in the therapeutic milieu.
1. Participates in planning and implementation of patient groups.
2. Provides and supervises recreation and other off-hall activities according to needs.
3. Provides patients with direction, support, and supervision as needed.
4. Follows established Nursing policies, procedures, and protocols.
5. Active milieu assessment while assigned to checks, particularly attuned to safety concerns.
Participates in the maintenance of the unit environment to ensure safe care.
1. Identifies and reports house cleaning problems to Unit Secretary/ND.
2. Identifies and reports equipment problems to Unit Secretary/ND.
3. Participates in the unit's inventory system, reporting when supplies are low.
4. Initiates activities that assist patients in maintaining a clean environment.
5. Initiates activities that promote an organized, safe patient and staff environment.
Assists patients in their activities of daily living.
1. Identifies patient hygiene needs; initiates and implements interventions to meet these needs.
2. Provides for patients' nutritional needs according to unit procedure.
3. Assists and reassures patients during tests, exams, and procedures.
4. Escorts and supervises patients on and off ground, maintaining patient safety.
Maintains a commitment to professional growth and competency.
1. Completes mandatory in-service requirements.
2. Identifies areas of strengths and areas in need of professional development with supervisor.
3. Maintains competency for treating age-specific patient populations.
4. Seeks constructive feedback, regarding work performance, from peers and professional colleagues.
5. Participates in critical incident de-briefing.

Education
High School Diploma or Equivalent required

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree?
No

Licenses and Credentials

Experience
One year of clinical experience, preferably in a psychiatric setting 1-2 years preferred and Previous experience in direct patient care preferred preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work in collaboration with others.
- Must complete and pass Epic training within 30 days of hire.
- Successful passing (80% or higher) of Epic training modules(s) is a minimum requirement of the job.

The Short Term Unit (AB1 North & South) focuses on depression, anxiety, suicidality, self-injurious behavior, trauma, and personality disorders. We also commonly see comorbid substance use disorder, OCD, and eating disorders. Our patient interactions/interventions are therapeutic, highly interpersonal, and skills-based

The McLean Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.