Mental Health Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mental Health Specialist is a member of an inpatient team providing direct care for geriatric inpatients. Provides assistance with admissions, assessments, patient and family education, crisis intervention, psycho-educational groups. Supervises inpatients in the unit and monitors visiting, and assists in assuring the safety of the unit and patients. Responds to inquiries from the community and assists in directing patients to appropriate resources. Provides psychosocial histories and patient group therapy depending on training and experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelors Degree in the social sciences, preferably social work, psychology or counseling.

REQUIRED LENGTH AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE:

Experience working in a medical setting with other professionals, families and patients in acute psychiatric crisis is preferred. Experience in a structured therapeutic program, hospital or residential setting is preferred.

REQUIRED LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRY: None

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Gathers patient information accurately, reports to physicians and nurses for risk assessment and admission decisions. Accurately documents all information gathered.
- Completes insurance pre-certification process for night and evening admissions.
- Assists in orienting new admissions to the unit. Assists patients in performing ADLs as needed. Performs routine 1:1 therapeutic interactions.
- Monitors patient milieu for safety and intervenes as appropriate per unit protocols, reporting problems to the RN.
- Facilitates psycho-educational, recreational and therapeutic groups of patients and families.
- Participates in treatment and discharge planning as assigned by the charge nurse.
- Documents observations and interventions in the patient's record.
- Prepared to interact with unexpected and impulsive behaviors of patients as needed.
- Assists with care of patients in seclusion per direction of the RN.
- Ability to function in a fast paced and demanding environment by prioritizing and multi-tasking is essential, as is attention to detail.
- Abides by Professional Code of Ethics.
- Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to patient rights.
- Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
- Seeks to improve the practice of behavioral health care utilizing results of patient satisfaction surveys.
- CPR Certification and Physical Crisis Intervention (PCI) training is required.
- Completes mandatory in-services and meets continuing education requirements applicable to this position.
- Adheres to all hospital and department policies and procedures.

Performs all functions according to established policies, procedures, regulatory and accreditation requirements, as well as applicable professional standards. Provides all customers of Southwest General Health Center with an excellent service experience by consistently demonstrating our Standards of Performance each and every day.