Mental Health Worker, Psych IP-Adult DDMI

at  RWJBarnabas Health

JOB OVERVIEW:

Mental Health Workers provide care to individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities under the direction of nurses and physicians. They closely monitor patients’ physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• HS Diploma or GED
• BLS (American Heart Association)

Preferred:

• Previous experience working with psychiatric and/or substance abuse patients
• Previous experience in psychology or sociology

SCHEDULING REQUIREMENTS:

• 11:00pm 7:00am, shifts can vary
• Per Diem

• Monitors vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure
• Performs EKGs
• Draws labs and collect specimens from patients
• Activities of daily living such as: eating, dressing, and bathing
• Provides therapeutic groups and recreational activities to patients
• Assists in non-violent crisis intervention
• Attends and participates in unit meetings by offering suggestions, ideas, and comments concerning unit and team efforts
• Maintains a clean and comfortable environment for the patient according to established policy and procedure
• Participates in room and/or body searches of patients according to policy and procedure as assigned by the professional nurse
• Assists in maintaining unit policies and procedures, procures and maintains par levels of supplies and linens stock. Cleans discharge units when housekeeping is unavailable
• Records pertinent data according to standards
• Documents pertinent patient information daily and as needed in the medical record
• Immediately reports patient changes in condition to the nurse in charge
• Precepts new employees and students, as requested
• Assists in orienting new staff members
• Participates in the admission/transfer process by orienting patients to the Hospital and nursing unit, and by carrying out the admission/transfer process as delineated in the unit procedure manual
• Contributes to the formation of and carrying out of treatment plans elaborated by the staff of the psychiatric team
• Provides standard nursing care as delegated by the registered nurse, physical care, escorting patients, participating in patient-related activities maintaining therapeutic communication with patients, collection of specimens, etc.
• Participates in patient/staff meetings, and group and community meetings as required
• Contributes to the updating of patient care plans
• Plans and participates in recreational activities for the patient
• Supervises patient interaction with family members, especially during visitation, and provides supportive intervention, as required
• Perform venipuncture and draw blood specimens. Collect specimens (blood, urine, sputum, stool) and ensure that appropriate labeling associated with each specimen is correct and complete
• Recognizes abnormal vital signs data and verbally reports same directly to the RN caring for the patients