Direct Care Worker - Acute/Inpatient program

Harboroaks; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading behavioral health facility near Pittsburgh is seeking a Behavioral Health Associate responsible for providing personal care services to children and adolescents facing severe mental health challenges. Candidates will ensure patient safety, assist with daily activities, and facilitate educational groups. Applicants should possess a high school diploma and may require specific certifications. Training is provided for essential qualifications.

Qualifications

• Experience working with specific populations preferred.
• CPR, de-escalation, and restraint certification required (training provided).

Responsibilities

• Ensure patient safety and conduct safety checks.
• Assist patients with daily living activities.
• Document clinical information accurately and timely.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Customer Service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The inpatient program at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital offers individualized care for children and adolescents aged 4-18 whose lives have been disrupted by severe mental health challenges. Our inpatient facility near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helps families start to heal so they can return to their daily lives.

Our Behavioral Health Associates (Direct Care Workers) are responsible for providing personal care services to patients at the facility under the direction of clinical or nursing leadership. They must demonstrate a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude towards patients at all times. When patient needs are not met, they should acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Patient safety is a top priority.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate urgency regarding patient safety and provide excellent customer service.
• Ensure the well-being of patients and maintain a positive, supportive, and structured environment.
• Conduct safety checks and ensure supervision at 15-minute intervals or as per individualized guidelines.
• Document clinical information accurately and in a timely manner in the patient's medical record.
• Assist in creating a safe, secure, and comfortable environment for patients, families, and staff.

• Interact with patients regularly, observe behaviors, and communicate significant observations to nursing staff.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, hydration, and changing bed linens.
• Obtain vital signs, height, and weight as assigned and document these in the patient record.
• Facilitate patient educational and rehabilitative groups on topics such as social skills, coping skills, anger management, and independent living skills.
• Engage patients in activities aimed at achieving treatment goals.

• Complete and maintain required documentation. Assist with follow-up and incident reports as needed.
• Provide or coordinate patient transportation as required.
• Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude towards patients and staff. Address and resolve patient complaints promptly. Ensure patient safety always remains a priority.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Perform additional tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six months or more experience working with the facility's specific population preferred.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• CPR, de-escalation, and restraint certification required (training provided upon hire and offered by the facility).
• First aid certification may be required based on state or facility requirements.

Management reserves the right to modify duties as circumstances change. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, regardless of characteristics protected by applicable laws.

Note: This job description aims to accurately reflect the job requirements, but duties may be added or removed as needed.