Float Mental Health Worker

Float Mental Health Workers are expected to work shifts 7

00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and biweekly weekends, 36 hrs. a week under close supervision of the Staff Nurse, participate in the planning and evaluation of patient needs based on patient behaviors. Provides direct patient care services in accordance with the treatment plan and under the direction of a professional nurse. Assists in providing a safe and therapeutic environment according to established policies and procedures.

Principal Responsibilities and Duties

1. Customer Relations - Actively seeks to provide quality services that meet the needs of patients as well as other customers, families, payers, referrers, and staff. Assists in orienting new patients, new staff members, volunteers, and others to the unit and the hospital.

2. Participation in Treatment Planning - Provides input into the treatment planning process. Provides input into shift report. Utilizes observations to make recommendations for patient care. Collects patient data for initial patient assessment. Utilizes the licensed nurse as a resource for assistance and guidance.

3. Provision of Clinical Services

§ Rapidly adapts and responds to varying patient populations and unit needs.

§ Assists in organizing therapeutic and recreational activities for assigned patients; participates in or co-leads activities and encourages patient participation. Assists patients with activities of daily living and personal hygiene, such as bathing, grooming, and bed-making when necessary.

§ Demonstrates understanding of the special needs of the patient population(s) served in interactions and activities. Promotes patient comfort.

§ Monitors vital signs as assigned.

§ Guides and assists patients in maintaining rules and regulations of the unit.

§ Follows unit/program protocols/guidelines in a manner which maintains patient privacy and dignity.

The pay range for this position is $20.95 minimum to $31.45 maximum. Pay for this position is determined on a number of factors, including but not limited to, years and level of related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

1. Work requires the ability to read and follow up on documentation in the patient’s record, writing skills sufficient to complete required patient documentation, basic computer usage skills, and oral communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively - acquired through a high school education and 6 months-1 year of relevant experience. Must have AHA approved Basic Life Support/CPR certification for healthcare workers at time of hire and throughout employment.

2. Work requires demonstrated competency in basic patient care methods, procedures, and techniques, as well as specialized skills, procedures, and techniques required for the specific patient populations served - acquired through Hospital-provided training which covers the specific assigned patient population, child and adolescent, adult, and geriatric, in addition to program-specific needs.

3. Work requires interpersonal skills sufficient to establish therapeutic relationships with emotionally disturbed patients and to communicate and work effectively with patients in accordance with treatment plan (51-80% of work time).

4. Work requires analytical skills sufficient to perform written patient documentation, assess situations, identify the need for assistance/supervision, and seek out appropriate resources.

5. Working with severely ill psychiatric patients frequently (21-50% of work time) produces a high level of stress and mental fatigue.