MENTAL HEALTH WORKER

Mental Health Worker

Within a state hospital or inpatient medical facility, to provide direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic treatment setting within Rhode Island State Psychiatric Hospital (RISPH). It involves promoting the therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision of forensic patients consistent with nursing care and treatment plans; performs related work in a forensic setting as required.

Works under the supervision of a registered nurse whom assignments are received in outline form; specific instructions are given with each new or unusual assignment; work is subject to review and inspection in process and upon completion for effectiveness and conformance with standards of care within the RIPSH, specifically at the forensic setting, including hospital policies, procedures and instructions.

To perform a variety of duties involved in providing direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients within the RISPH.

To perform duties related to therapeutic evaluation.

To interact with patients; listen, encourage, support and provide appropriate feedback.

To assist professional staff in formulating and implementing treatment plans and serve as a member of the treatment team.

To wake, bathe, dress, feed and groom patients as necessary and prepare them for visitors, grounds privileges, off-site appointments and bed.

To observe policies and procedures pertaining to the security of the building which includes but not limited to conduct rounds; take patient count and conduct safety checks; file ward status reports; observe unusual behavior and report unusual incidents to a superior.

To escort doctors and visitors on wards as required.

To ensure that patients quarters are in sanitary, safe and orderly condition and free of dangerous or unapproved items constituting sharps, contraband or flammables as per RISPH policy.

To organize, plan, direct, implement, and participate in unit-based therapeutic patient activities and off- unit activity programs.

To physically restrain patients when necessary commensurate with hospital policy and behavioral emergency response training. Restraints are applied under supervision as directed and as per RISPH restraint policy.

To observe and report on the physical health of patients; bring signs and symptoms of physical illness to the attention of a superior; assist with physicals of blood work and collect specimens as assigned. Take temperature, pulse and respiration rates.

To carry outpatient admission, discharge and transfer procedures; inspect patients for sharps, contraband and flammables as directed and as per RISPH policy.

To assist professional nurses and other personnel give treatments of prescribed medications.

To perform as a member of the therapeutic team by establishing a positive helping relationship with the patients and interacting professionally with other team members in carrying out the treatment programs developed. This includes collaborating with professional staff and contributing to treatment planning quality assurance or performance improvement activities as necessary.

To supervise patient recreational activities; escort patient to appointments and off-site activities.

To maintain cleanliness and safety of patient immediate environment; care for patient clothing and personal effects.

To recognize and implement a full range of infection control and disease prevention measures.

To identify and report elopement and participate in searches.

To wear only appropriate dress and only hospital-approved identification badge.

To provide one-on-one special supervision and observational care as assigned.

To perform routine housekeeping duties to maintain the appropriate therapeutic milieu.

To do related work as required.

Knowledges, skills, abilities and capacities: A working knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques for the custody, care and treatment of the psychiatric patient, including those with mental and developmental disabilities, in a forensic setting and the ability to apply such knowledge (such knowledge including basic first aid, housekeeping, patient personal needs and activities of daily living, minor treatments and infection control); the ability to safeguard and supervise patients and to maintain order, control and discipline in a therapeutic context and in a therapeutic fashion; the ability to converse and interact with patients and staff in a professional, positive and therapeutic manner; the ability to observe attitudes and the mental and physical and other reactions of patients and relate them orally to supervisors or other members of the treatment team and in writing in the medical record; the ability to observe clinical details about the mental and physical condition of patients, including behavioral observations as part of a behavioral plan or observational behavioral protocol, and to relate them orally and in writing; a working knowledge of the accepted housekeeping procedures of the hospital facility and the ability to apply such knowledge; the ability to cooperate and work with other employees (clinical and non- clinical with a variety of expertise); the ability to accept direction from clinical professionals and to follow oral and written instructions; a familiarity with the terms and definitions that make up clinical syndromes and the ability to describe the symptoms of mental illness particularly in the forensic setting; and related knowledge, skills, abilities and capacities.

Education and experience: Education: Possession of an Associate's Degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Behavioral Science, ability to read, write and speak English and Experience: One year of employment in a private or public hospital or clinical program involving participation in the care, custody, treatment and rehabilitation of severely and chronically mentally disabled persons. Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience in the treatment of the severely mentally ill persons.

Special requirements: The following conditions of employment must be met at the time of employment: Must be physically qualified to perform duties of the class of position and to display professional attitudes and conduct throughout the period of employment. Must complete a physical agility test consisting of a minimum number of sit ups, push-ups, 300-meter run, and 1.5 mile run with standards correlated with gender and age. Must be physically capable of lifting 40 pounds and have the physical agility and strength to maintain a safe and secure environment for patients and staff, upon hire and yearly thereafter. The candidates will be tested at the 40th percentile using the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research standards. Shall be considered medically fit for the position after examination by qualified personnel designated by the department; such qualification shall require a vision test of at least 20/100 Snellen in the better eye, without glasses, corrected to at least 20/70 Snellen in one eye and 20/30 Snellen in the other eye with the added requirement that defective vision must not be due to active or progressive organic disease. A hearing test in which each ear must test at least 15/15 by the Whispering Voice Test. Must at all times be physically qualified to perform the assigned duties as evidenced by a physician's certificate.