Description

Position Summary:
Mental Health Specialist performs advanced and specialized job duties related to clerical work in a treatment program for the mentally ill in a hospital. Employees in this classification perform responsible contact work in a variety of treatment techniques for patients in a mental health treatment facility. This is a level 3 job in the nursing support career ladder.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Collaborates with RN and other health care providers in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating mental health activities. Completes safety checklist following unit policy and procedures; monitors rooms as assigned by nurse. Supervises patient activities and responds on an as needed basis to the demands of patients being attended. Identifies behaviors that may require seclusion or restraint and reports this to the charge nurse. Participates in restraint and seclusion of patients according to hospital policy and procedures. Completes 30 minute rounds and special precautions per unit policy. Performs patient care procedures and duties as directed by the RN and outlined in the hospital's policies and procedures. Assists with orientation of new employees. Performs ongoing observations of patients, and objectively documents this process daily in the progress notes, along with interventions made. Ensures that assigned patient's general hygiene needs are met daily. Monitors and documents vital signs, heights and weights at the discretion of the charge nurse. Maintains accurate precautionary monitoring (suicidal, assaultive, and elopement) q. 15 minutes; reports and records patient's physical and emotional whereabouts, activity, and behavior. Manages patients during meals, setting limits in accordance with policy. Responsibly monitors patients in A.T., psychotherapy, and education programs; and documents significant behaviors. Assumes responsibility for proper handling of patient's clothing and property at the time of admission, transfer, and discharge; and completes necessary documentation. Follows up on patient care responsibilities and assignments left from previous shifts and reports any incomplete assignments to ensure continuity of procedures. Demonstrates behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise). Performs all other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience:
Generally requires 0 to 3 years of related experience.

Education:
High School diploma is required.

License Certification:
Valid Florida driver's license and chauffeur's license for those positions requiring transport of patients is required. American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) and any additional applicable life support certification for Healthcare Providers is required upon hire with at least 6 months validity and maintenance at JHS for the duration of employment.

Knowledge Skill Abilities:
Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with critical thinking and professional composure. Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment. Knowledge and skill in use of job appropriate technology and software applications. Must meet and maintain current all unit specific and organizational skills/competencies, certifications/licensures, as required by the nursing area.

Physical Demands:
Job function requires extended standing or walking. Must be able to carry objects weighing 21 to 50 pounds. Able to lift or move objects weighing 51 to 100 pounds with the use of appropriate devices. Jobs in this group require frequent visual acuity to perform activities related to extended use of computers. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).

Work Environment:
Jobs in this group are required to function in a fast paced environment with occasional high pressure or emergent and stressful situations. Frequent interaction with a diverse population including team members, providers, patients, insurance companies and other members of the public. Function is subject to inside environmental conditions, with occasional outdoor exposures. Exposure to various environments such as: communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a hospital and medical office environment. May also be exposed to needle sticks, airborne infections, medical gases, X-Ray, chemical exposures and other potential hazards. Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when exposed to infectious/clinical hospital environment. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).