Mental Health Specialist

McLean Hospital; Belmont (MA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The McLean Hospital is seeking a Mental Health Specialist to work under the direction of the Registered Nurse and provide direct patient care in a safe, supportive setting. You will participate in maintaining a therapeutic milieu and collaborate with the care team to ensure patient safety and quality care.

Responsibilities include documenting notes, assisting with rounds, and performing point-of-care testing while maintaining professional boundaries and following established policies and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of clinical experience, preferably in a psychiatric setting.
• Verbal and written communication skills; ability to collaborate with others.

Responsibilities

• Assists the RN in providing direct patient care.
• Documents AFS, progress notes, and observation sheets.
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients within professional boundaries.
• Participates in patient rounds and team discussions.
• Intervenes in crisis using department policies and promotes least restrictive options.
• Performs point-of-care testing.
• Maintains patient safety and adheres to standards of care.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Epic training

Collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

Site: The McLean Hospital Corporation

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, the Mental Health Specialist provides direct patient care and participates in maintaining a safe, supportive, therapeutic milieu.

Does this position require patient care?

Yes.

Essential Functions

• Assists the RN in providing direct patient care.
• Accurately and timely documents AFS, progress notes, and observation sheets.
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Participates in patient rounds and team discussions.
• Completes assigned patient care responsibilities.
• Identifies patient behaviors that may contribute to crisis development and uses verbal and non-verbal techniques to help de-escalate situations.
• Intervenes in complex patient situations and patient schedules using department policies and procedures, while promoting the least restrictive alternatives.
• Communicates changes in patient status to the RN.
• Follows standards of care and protocols for assigned patients.
• Remains awake and alert at all times while on the job.
• Performs point-of-care testing.

Therapeutic Milieu

• Works effectively within the therapeutic milieu.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of patient groups.
• Provides and supervises recreation and other off-hall activities according to patient needs.
• Provides patients with direction, support, and supervision as needed.
• Follows established nursing policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Actively assesses the milieu while assigned to checks, with particular attention to safety concerns.

Unit Environment and Safety

• Participates in maintaining the unit environment to support safe patient care.
• Identifies and reports housekeeping concerns to the Unit Secretary or Nursing Director.
• Identifies and reports equipment concerns to the Unit Secretary or Nursing Director.
• Participates in the unit inventory process and reports when supplies are low.
• Initiates activities that help patients maintain a clean environment.
• Initiates activities that promote an organized, safe environment for patients and staff.

Activities of Daily Living

• Assists patients with activities of daily living.
• Identifies patient hygiene needs and initiates interventions to meet those needs.
• Supports patients' nutritional needs according to unit procedures.
• Assists and reassures patients during tests, exams, and procedures.
• Escorts and supervises patients on and off grounds while maintaining patient safety.

Professional Growth and Competency

• Maintains a commitment to professional growth and ongoing competency.
• Completes mandatory in-service requirements.
• Identifies strengths and areas for professional development with supervisor.
• Maintains competency in treating assigned age-specific patient populations.
• Seeks constructive feedback on work performance from peers and professional colleagues.
• Participates in critical incident debriefings.

Qualifications

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent required

Experience

One year of clinical experience, preferably in a psychiatric setting 1-2 years preferred and Previous experience in direct patient care preferred preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Verbal and written communication skills, and ability to work in collaboration with others.
• Must complete and pass Epic training within 30 days of hire.
• Successful passing (80% or higher) of Epic training modules(s) is a minimum requirement of the job.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

Mental Health Specialist Opportunities: We are currently hiring Mental Health Specialists (MHS) across 11 inpatient units with a variety of schedules and shift options available.

Current opportunities include:

• Full-time, part-time, and per diem positions
• 24-, 32-, and 40-hour schedules
• Rotating day and evening shifts
• Opportunities across a variety of inpatient programs and patient populations

By applying to this posting, you will be considered for current and upcoming MHS openings across our inpatient units. Our Talent Acquisition team will connect with you to learn more about your experience, interests, and schedule preferences and help identify opportunities that may be the best fit.

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

115 Mill Street

Pay Range

$22.40 - $29.73/Hourly

Grade

MCL050At Mass General Brigham, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the unique value each team member brings to our organization. Our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and any offer extended will take into account your skills, relevant experience if applicable, education, certifications and other essential factors. The base pay information provided offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications; however, it does not encompass all elements contributing to your total compensation package. In addition to competitive base pay, we offer comprehensive benefits, career advancement opportunities, differentials, premiums and bonuses as applicable and recognition programs designed to celebrate your contributions and support your professional growth. We invite you to apply, and our Talent Acquisition team will provide an overview of your potential compensation and benefits package.

EEO Statement

1600 The McLean Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

Mass General Brigham Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership "looks like" by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.