Psychiatric Social Health Tech

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Health + Hospitals Metropolitan seeks a Nursing Aide to support patient care in Behavioral Health and general wards. Under supervision, you will assist with daily living activities, monitor condition, and participate in therapeutic programs to ensure patient safety and comfort.

Responsibilities include helping with hygiene, meals, and vital signs, while maintaining a clean and safe ward environment and collaborating with the nursing team to provide compassionate care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must complete NYC Health + Hospitals training in restraints and seclusion before handling such tasks.
• Must complete vital signs and grooming training within 90 days of appointment.
• Must hold a valid BLS certification within 60 days of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with activities of daily living and personal hygiene as part of the health care team.
• Monitor patient condition and report changes to the nurse or team leader.
• Support therapeutic activities and help maintain a clean, safe ward environment.
• Assist with meal service and feeding when needed and maintain patient comfort.
• Assist with vital signs and basic nursing tasks under supervision.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Observation skills

Crisis management

Basic Life Support

Ability to follow instructions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Job description

Marketing Statement

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is the community hospital of choice for residents of East Harlem, northern Manhattan, and neighboring communities. The hospital provides culturally-sensitive care in a welcoming and hospitable setting, emphasizing primary care medicine and utilizing the latest advances in medical science. Metropolitan delivers high quality health services with compassion, dignity, and respect to all, without exception. Since its founding in 1875, the hospital has been affiliated with New York Medical College, representing the oldest partnership between a hospital and a private medical school in the United States. Metropolitan is a part of the NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position

Under the direct supervision of a professional Nurse or other assigned professional staff member, performs functions related to assisting patients with activities of daily living and personal hygiene, and participates as a member of a treatment, nursing or health care team in implementing appropriate regimens for patients who are in Behavioral Health service areas. Acts in compliance with health care system and all relevant regulatory policies.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Observes patient’s physical condition, mental state and social behavior and reports to team leader or Nurse-in-charge and provides individual nursing care for patients who are acutely ill, either physically or emotionally.
• Participates in planning and implementing an orientation program for new patients. Gathers information for intake, social histories, referrals and related purposes which would augment the understanding of cases.
• Participates in planning and implementing daily living activities on the ward for patients and contributes to the development of a therapeutic ward environment.
• Assists in planning and implementing therapeutic activities with groups of hospitalized psychiatric patients and encourages client involvement in various individual and group activities as part of planned treatment programs.
• Assists with the physical care and personal hygiene of selected patients, consisting of, but not limited to: bathing, turning and positioning, skin care, passive and active range of motion, mouth care, foot care, nail care, applying hot and cold packs, etc.
• Assists patients with meal selection and feeds patients if necessary, delivers/removes trays, distributes water, nourishment, ice, etc.
• With successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals program, assists behavioral health team in the application and removal of restraints and the implementation of restraints/seclusion, when deemed necessary by appropriate personnel, ensuring the physical and emotional health and safety of the patient when using such methods.
• On the direction of a registered nurse or other professional staff member, either individually or as part of behavioral health team may escort patient to required location(s), within and outside of the health care setting.
• Takes patient vital signs, when directed to do so by clinical staff, and enters patient vital sign data into the electronic medical record performs finger stick tests.
• Changes linen and makes beds. Keeps ward and/or unit, linen, utility, treatment, storage rooms and recreational areas in a neat and orderly fashion.
• Disinfects personal items with appropriate disinfectant products, when required.
• May perform functions and activities of the basic Nurse’s Aide in support of the above tasks, and other related work, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; and
• *Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion must be completed prior to an individual performing such work; and
• Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training in the performance of vital signs and grooming within ninety (90) calendar days of appointment to the title; and
• Holds or obtains a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) within sixty (60) calendar days of appointment to the title.

Department Preferences

• Ability to follow oral/written instructions effectively
• Interpersonal skills to establish therapeutic relationships with patients and cooperative relationships with staff
• Ability to supervise and guide patients in activities
• Ability to maintain composure and act effectively in crisis situations
• Observational skills to monitor and accurately report physical and psychosocial changes
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness of patient rights
• Understanding of patient care in a psychiatric setting, including safety protocols for restraints and seclusion.
• Familiarity with basic medical procedures (e.g., taking vital signs, performing grooming tasks).