MENTAL HEALTH WORKER TRAINEE-II

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MENTAL HEALTH WORKER TRAINEE

Under the direction of the registered nurse learns how to provide direct care services to patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER I

Under the direction of the registered nurse carries out assigned tasks and provides direct care services to patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER II

Under the direction of the registered nurse carries out assigned tasks and contributes to direct care services for patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

Responsibilities:

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER TRAINEE

Assists in admission procedure, searching for contraband, orienting the patient to the unit/hospital environment, identifies and records the patient’s valuables, and completes documentation requirements to assure good patient care.

Communicates significant changes in patient status, reporting all untoward patient actions and/or symptoms to nurse in charge to assure safety and continuity of care.

Supervises, reinforces, and supports patients, as necessary, in bathing, showering, and other hygiene needs. Maintains awareness of patients’ special diet / eating needs and provides a record of the patient’s intake in order to insure that the patient’s nutritional needs are met.

Participates in patient care activities such as walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc..,.

Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/conditions. Provides testimony during legal proceedings. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.

Monitors, provides, and maintains, a safe clean environment as prescribed by standards relating to fire safety and infection control (appropriately using Personal Protective Equipment when indicated). Applies principles of Orlando Nursing Theory and the Crisis Management Program in monitoring and maintaining a therapeutic environment. Utilizes a supportive approach with anxious, agitated patients, thus offering patients an alternative to violent behavior.

Provides 1:1 observation of suicidal patients, obtains vital signs. Contributes to the patient treatment process by reinforcing treatment goals during daily, continual interactions and support the patients understanding of supervision status. Purposefully observes patient behaviors and documents objective data.

Escorts, supports, and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings and other activities as necessary, ensuring that patient safety is maintained.

Completes all mandatory classes in order to establish competency.

Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.

Maintains a positive customer service oriented attitude as demonstrated by a professional and courteous demeanor in all interactions and through a professional appearance to provide a therapeutic environment.

Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations, example, safety transports physically aggressive patients.

Exhibits willingness to perform other duties as assigned to assure smooth unit operations.

Staff Workplace Safety Accountabilities

Complies with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures by:

Maintaining competency in hospital approved Crisis Management Program (CMP) and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques for adults, infants, children and AED training

Performing accountabilities in accordance with established policies and procedures;

Communicating with supervisors issues related to workplace safety (i.e., ergonomics, body mechanics, environment, equipment, etc.);

Reporting on the job injuries to supervisor IMMEDIATELY;

Attending training programs, as appropriate.

Total Commitment to Quality

Participates in the process of continuous quality improvement by supporting unit/department based quality improvement activities. Demonstrates commitment to customer service values in professional conduct and by promoting such values in assigned work area.

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER I

Communicates significant changes in patient status, reporting all untoward patient actions and/or symptoms to nurse in charge to assure safety and continuity of care.

Identifies the need for walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc.

Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/conditions. Provides testimony during legal proceedings to provide support. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.

Implements individualized plan of care; provides 1:1 observation of suicidal patients, obtains vital signs. Contributes to the patient treatment process by reinforcing treatment goals during daily, continual interactions and support the patients understanding of supervision status. Purposefully observes patient behaviors, documenting objective data as well as subjective inference. Example, objectively note patient gait, subjectively notes the possibility of medication side effects.

Escorts, supports, and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings, home placements, and other activities as necessary, ensuring that patient safety is maintained.

Participates in quality improvement data collection. Completes all mandatory annual review classes in order to maintain competency.

Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.

Maintains current knowledge of hospital, departmental and unit based changes by participating in staff meetings, reading policies and procedures to maintain skill and knowledge level. Seeks opportunities to expand scope of knowledge and experience through continuing education to enhance patient care skills.

Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations, example, safety transports physically aggressive patients.

Exhibits willingness to perform other duties as assigned to assure smooth unit operations.

Staff Workplace Safety Accountabilities

Complies with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures by:

Maintaining competency in hospital approved Crisis Management Program (CMP) and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques for adults, infants, children and AED training

Performing accountabilities in accordance with established policies and procedures;

Communicating with supervisors issues related to workplace safety (i.e., ergonomics, body mechanics, environment, equipment, etc.);

Reporting on the job injuries to supervisor IMMEDIATELY;

Attending training programs, as appropriate.

Total Commitment to Quality

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER II

Communicates significant changes in patient status, reporting all untoward patient actions and/or symptoms to nurse in charge to assure safety and continuity of care.

Identifies the need for walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc., and plans activities for individuals or groups of patients in order to assure that basic health/social needs are met.

Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/conditions. Provides testimony during legal proceedings to provide support. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.

Implements individualized plan of care; recommends changes and/or develops alternative methods of implementing plans; provides 1:1 observation of suicidal patients, obtains vital signs, recommends innovative non-restrictive activities to intervene with agitated, anxious, isolative patients. Contributes to the patient treatment process by reinforcing treatment goals during daily, continual interactions and support the patients understanding of supervision status. Purposefully observe patient behaviors, documenting objective data as well as subjective inference. Example, objectively note patient gait, subjectively notes the possibility of medication side effects.

Escorts, supports, and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings, home placements, and other activities as necessary, ensuring that patient safety is maintained.

Participates in quality improvement data collection and contributes to unit based quality assurance effort as assigned.

Completes all mandatory annual review classes in order to maintain competency.

Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.

Maintains current knowledge of hospital, departmental and unit based changes by participating in staff meetings, reading and initialing policies and procedures to maintain skill and knowledge level. Seeks opportunities to expand scope of knowledge and experience through continuing education to enhance patient care skills.

Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations, example, safety transports physically aggressive patients.

Exhibits willingness to perform other duties as assigned to assure smooth unit operations.

Participates in on-unit orientation of new staff.

Staff Workplace Safety Accountabilities

Complies with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures by:

Maintaining competency in hospital approved Crisis Management Program (CMP) and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques for adults, infants, children and AED training

Performing accountabilities in accordance with established policies and procedures;

Communicating with supervisors issues related to workplace safety (i.e., ergonomics, body mechanics, environment, equipment, etc.);

Reporting on the job injuries to supervisor IMMEDIATELY;

Attending training programs, as appropriate.

Total Commitment to Quality

Other information:

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER TRAINEE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Graduation from high school, G.E.D. or its equivalent.

Experience: No experience required.

License/Certification: None required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Appointment to this classification is provisional pending satisfactory completion of all required written and physical components of the Mental Health Worker Training Program, as approved by the Division of Personnel, within the first four (4) weeks of employment.

An employee may be required to work additional hours beyond their normal work shift, engaged in work that is characteristic of their classification, in order to meet patient care needs/safe staffing levels, established by the Nursing Department of New Hampshire Hospital.

Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co workers, patients and families.

Effective problem solving skills and judgment.

Physical ability to restrain patients

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER I

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Graduation from high school, G.E.D. or its equivalent. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of work experience. Approved formal education includes courses or a degree in psychology, social science, special education, any of the health professions, or other area of approved study.

Experience: One year of experience in the care of mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons in a psychiatric facility, one year as a Mental Health Worker, or one year of work experience in a position, or combination of positions, that would evidence possession of the required skills necessary for satisfactory performance at this level.

License/Certification: Must be certified as a Mental Health Worker. May be required to possess a valid driver’s license in the state in which the employee resides, with appropriate endorsements required for the type of vehicle being operated. May be required to successfully complete a Defensive driving Course as approved by the New Hampshire Safety Council within the first six (6) months of employment and have their current New Hampshire driving record verified by the Dept. of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles indicating no major traffic violations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co workers, patients and families.

Effective problem solving skills and judgment.

Physical ability to restrain patients.

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER II

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Graduation from high school, G.E.D. or its equivalent. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of work experience. Approved formal education includes courses or a degree in psychology, social science, special education, any of the health professions, or other area of approved study.

Experience: Two years of experience in the care of mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons in a psychiatric facility, two years as a Mental Health Worker, or two years of work experience in a position or combination of positions, that would evidence possession of the requisite skills necessary for satisfactory performance at this level.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co workers, patients and families.

Effective problem solving skills and judgment.

Physical ability to restrain patients.

Employees may be required to pay an agency/union fee.

For further information please contact Justin Souther, Nurse Coordinator, justin.souther@dhhs.nh.gov and (603) 271-5852.

EOE

TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964