Mental Health Specialist I - Psychiatric Crisis Department (Days)

Overview

Day Shift: (7:00am-3:30pm) 32 Hours per week (0.8 FTE). Every other weekend required. Benefits eligible. Expected to float to other Behavioral Health nursing units as needed at the direction of leadership. Position starts at $20.16/hour. Pay commensurate with experience. $1.80 per hour weekend shift premium.

Essential Functions

• Participates with the interdisciplinary team in specialized patient care.
• Cares for patient assignment as delegated.
• Effectively establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and families on the unit including but not limited to effective communication and education.
• Provides 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, crisis management.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Current enrollment in and completion of half a Psychology, Social Work, or related undergraduate program, or equivalent experience required.
• At least one year of hospital experience in a mental health role within the past three years, or equivalent education, required.

Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire).
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification provided by the organization required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire) and must be maintained.
• First Aid certification by the organization required prior to finishing unit-based orientation (due within 90 days of hire) and must be maintained.

Skills

• Effective written and verbal communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements

Occasionally: Biohazard waste, chemicals/medications, climb stairs/ladder, fumes/gases/vapors, lifting/carrying 0-10 lbs, lifting/carrying 11-20 lbs, lifting/carrying 21-40 lbs, lifting/carrying 41-60 lbs, patient equipment, pushing/pulling 0-25 lbs, pushing/pulling 26-40 lbs, pushing/pulling 41-60 lbs, pushing/pulling 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 performed but not listed above: Must be able to perform therapeutic crisis intervention moves (TCI). Able to wear and function in helmets and other safety equipment. Rapid physical response when needed. Applies the principles of body mechanics in lifting or moving patients and/or equipment. Must be able to move or reposition patients of any weight or size with the assistance of another person(s) and/or equipment.

Additional Information

The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.

EEO Statement

EOE M/F/Disability/Vet