Mental Health Associate

Boston Medical Center; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 24,796 - 37,195; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Pharmacy

Flexible Spending Accounts

403(b) savings matches

Paid time off

Career advancement opportunities

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Boston Medical Center in Boston, MA is seeking a Nursing Assistant/Support staff to participate in admission and discharge processes, record vitals, intake, and document on the Nursing Assessment Form; orient patients to unit layout and rights.

You will assist with basic nursing care, ADLs, specimen collection, monitoring vital signs, and support in crisis situations. This role supports interdisciplinary treatment planning and ensures patient safety and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; 1–2 years nursing/mental health care experience.
• BLS certification required.
• AVADE Training within six months.
• Enrolled in related bachelor’s program acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Assist admission and discharge: document vitals, admission data, and belongings.
• Aid in basic nursing care and ADLs (eating, dressing, bathing, hygiene).
• Monitor and document patient status, safety, and routine vitals; report changes.
• Escort patients for tests; assist in crises with de-escalation.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings.

Skills

Basic Life Support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Nursing assistant experience

ER tech experience

Mental health worker experience

Bachelor’s degree-enrolled in Psychology/Social Work/Human Service

AVADE Training

Job description

Patient Admission and Discharge Process

Participates in patient admission and discharge process by performing the following duties:

• Accurately obtains and records admission vital signs, height and weight, and documents these on the Nursing Assessment Form.
• Records and processes patient belongings and valuables on admission and at discharge.
• Orients patients to the physical layout of the unit, milieu staff, unit rules, schedules and Patient’s rights, and documents this on the Nursing Assessment form.

Implementation of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Plan

• Accurately monitors, reports, and documents routine vital signs as assigned.
• Accurately monitors, reports and documents patient intake and output as assigned.
• Assists with the collection of routine specimens.
• Assists in all aspects of basic nursing care utilizing, i.e., bed-making, patient transfers with knowledge of proper body mechanics.
• Assists patients as needed with activities of daily living (ADLs) including eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, ambulating and all aspects of personal hygiene and care.
• Assists and monitors patients' adherence to pre and post-test protocols and ECT procedures as determined by the Registered Nurse.
• Escorts patients to and from unit for tests and activities as needed.
• Performs and documents patient safety checks at scheduled intervals per assignment.
• Performs 1:1 observation for high risk patients as assigned.
• Participates in limit setting with patients and other de-escalation techniques.
• Assists in a team approach to provide physical control of patients in a crisis situation. Including assisting with implementation of restraints and/or seclusion.
• Assists in medical emergencies as directed.
• Monitors and promptly communicates all observations or information relative to patient's safety or clinical status or treatment to Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee and documents information as needed in Progress Notes.
• Prepares daily patient-related information sheets as assigned.
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning meetings and patient conferences by sharing patient related observations/information.
• May co-lead community meeting and therapeutic groups for patients as designated by the Patient Care Director.

Maintaining a Safe and Therapeutic Environment

• Monitors the overall milieu per assignment and reports any patient or environmental issues which might impact on patient care or patient/staff safety.
• Maintains proper professional demeanor with patients, families, visitors, and co-workers.
• Utilizes principles of AVADE in managing high risk situations.
• Assists in maintaining cleanliness, sanitation and orderliness of unit.
• Is dependable and punctual in reporting to work.

Responsibilities/Non-Essential Functions

• Functions as a resource person for orienting staff, students, visitors and families.
• Assists with answering unit phone and monitoring access to the unit when needed.
• Performs related duties as needed.

Reporting Requirements

Reports immediately to the Patient Care Director or his/her Registered Nurse designee, the following:

• Any unusual occurrence related to patients, staff, self, or visitor.
• Any change or question of change in a patient's clinical condition.
• Incidents and/or breaches in quality of care.
• Incidents and/or breaches in patient's civil rights.
• Observations related to environmental safety or equipment maintenance or development of a potential crisis situation.

Accountability

• Maintains the confidentiality and security of all Medical Center-related, staff-related, and patient-related data and information.
• Abides by all Nursing and Department of Psychiatry policies and procedures.
• Abides by all relevant Medical Center policies and procedures, including infection control.
• Keeps informed of each patient's physical, mental, legal status, assigned observation and privilege level and daily nursing care plan.
• Keeps proper patient identification by requesting patient name and checking ID bands Consistently when interacting with milieu.
• Facilitates fiscal control by an awareness of cost control efforts.
• Continues maintenance and develops skill level in patient care through attendance at In-service education and clinical supervision.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One to two years nursing assistant, er tech, mental health worker experience required.
• And/or enrolled in a Bachelor of Psychology, social work or human service-related bachelor program.
• Basic Life Support Required.
• AVADE Training with the first six months required.

Compensation Package

Compensation Range: $18.42- $27.37. This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements.

In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to:

• medical
• dental
• vision
• pharmacy
• contract increases
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) savings matches
• earned time cash out
• paid time off
• career advancement opportunities
• resources to support employee and family wellbeing

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

Boston Medical Center is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. We ensure equal employment opportunities for all, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic.

If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call 617-638-8582 to let us know the nature of your request.

Boston Medical Center participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program.

As an E-Verify employer, prospective employees of BMC must complete a background check before beginning their employment at the hospital.

BMC requires all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu, as well as receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.