Mental Health Worker Per Diem

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston, MA, is seeking a Mental Health Worker to join the Psych Nursing team on a Per Diem basis.

The role supports an inpatient psychiatry unit under the supervision of a psychiatric RN and provides age-appropriate care for adults 18 and older. The Mental Health Worker will participate in crisis intervention, assist with daily living tasks, lead activity groups, and deliver patient and family education to support treatment goals.

Qualifications

• High School Degree or Equivalent.
• Certification in basic life support (BLS).
• Patient care skills acquired through 1 year of direct patient care experience.

Responsibilities

• Participates in crisis intervention through verbal and physical de‑escalation per CPI policies.
• Assists RN in administering physical care and personal hygiene measures.
• Leads and co‑leads therapeutic process oriented and activity groups.
• Provides patient/family education and supports regarding milieu programming, goals of hospitalization and therapeutic interventions.
• Gives observation and input to Nurse Manager/Charge RN when unable to communicate at treatment team meetings.
• Evaluates patient progress toward goals and participates in discharge planning.
• Conducts and/or assists RN with patient searches for contraband, vital signs, height, weight and orientation to the unit.
• Conducts patient safety checks to monitor mood and rising acuity concerns in the milieu.
• Identifies issues related to progress towards discharge or barriers to discharge.
• Vital signs, intake and output, activities of daily living status.
• Shares observations with social worker, clinical colleagues, and patient family/caregivers.

Skills

Relationship building

Verbal communication

Medical equipment use

Age-appropriate communication

Education

High School Diploma

BLS Certification

1 year direct patient care

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mental Health Specialist is a member of the multidisciplinary psychiatric patient treatment team. He/she implements clinical care responsibilities in accordance with inpatient psychiatry department policies, procedures and standards under the supervision of a psychiatric registered nurse. The Mental Health Specialist must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to patients from ages 18 and above. The Mental Health Specialist must possess the knowledge and ability to gather data reflective of the patient's age and developmental level in determining treatment needs.

Position: Mental Health Worker

Department: Psych Nursing

Schedule: Per Diem

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Participates in crisis intervention through the use of verbal and physical de‑escalation of potentially unsafe or aggressive behavior per CPI technique and seclusion/restraint policies/procedures
• Assists RN in administering physical care and personal hygiene measures to assigned patients as appropriate
• Leads and co‑leads therapeutic process oriented and activity groups
• Provides patient/family education and supports regarding milieu programming, goals of hospitalization and therapeutic interventions in support of meeting those goals
• Gives observation and input regarding the patient to Nurse Manager/Charge RN when unable to communicate directly at treatment team meetings
• Continuously evaluates patient progress toward goals clearly evident in documentation, participation in treatment planning, shift report and report to charge RN
• Conducts and/or assists RN with patient search for contraband, vital signs, height, weight and orientation to the unit
• Conducts patient safety checks as assigned to monitor both individual patient safety as well as unit mood and rising acuity concerns in the milieu
• Identifies issues related to progress towards discharge or any barriers to discharge
• Vital signs, intake and output, activity of daily living status
• Gives observation and input regarding the patient to Nurse Manager/Charge RN when unable to communicate directly at treatment team meetings
• Shares observations and pertinent information with social worker, clinical colleagues, and patient family/caregivers

JOB REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• High School Degree or Equivalent
• Certification in basic life support (BLS)
• Patient care skills acquired through 1 year of previous direct patient care experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated skill in developing helpful relationships with patients, families and staff
• Ability to use a variety of medical equipment necessary in the delivery of quality patient care
• Has the skills and knowledge to provide care to the age groups of the population served including:
• knowledge of growth and development
• provide age‑appropriate communication

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

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans