Mental Health Assistant I

Position OverviewEnsures that individual’s with mental health and mental illness needs receive the care and treatment they require and work to provide this in consultation with Mental Health Technicians, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Rehabilitation Staff and Physicians. Serves all patients on the mental health services in both inpatient and outpatient settings in a manner consistent with the provider and nursing orders provided. Customers served are the patients, the families and significant other of patients, the Registered Nurses and other interdisciplinary staff of the mental health services.

Primary Department, Division, or Unit:

Memorial 5 Psychiatric, UHS Binghamton General Hospital

Work Shift and Schedule:

This is a per diem position, which means you will work on an as needed, agreed upon basis. Working hours will be assigned by your manager.

Compensation Range:

$19.37 - $28.09 per hour, depending on experience

This position is not eligible for benefits.

• Assists patients or provides complete care including bathing, dressing, grooming, hydration and nutrition, and care of personal space and belongings.

• Performs clinical measurements including Vital Signs, Intake and Output and documents findings.

• Ensures comfort and safety in the environment for individual patients, families, self and coworkers through good body mechanics when assisting patients with mobility and transportation, proper use of equipment, following policy for restraints and seclusion, and use of monitoring techniques.

• Makes frequent rounds observing patients to anticipate possible patient needs.

• Plans, initiates, and assists patients with unstructured activities to address leisure time needs and encourages patient participation in all activities.

• Reports patient or unit problems to the appropriate RN or Mental Health Tech.

• Assists with ECT treatments according to procedure including obtaining, set up and cleaning of equipment; providing support and assistance to physicians and nurses; transporting patients; and monitoring patient oral intake post ECT recovery.

• Follows procedures in caring for the potentially violent patient and the patient in danger of hurting him/herself or others including monitoring all levels of observation, assisting with the initiation of seclusion and application of restraints, and caring for restrained and secluded patients.

• Responds to Code Blue situations in all areas of the hospital as directed utilizing all CPI principles in verbal de-escalation, physical restraint (appropriate to age), 4 point restraint and maintaining a safe environment in all situations, under the clinical supervision of a CPI trained RN. Initiates and maintains appropriate and accurate documentation as required by UHS policy and procedure.

• Escorts patients away from the hospital campus and works closely with the interdisciplinary staff in the planning of transfers.

• Performs duties such as errands, covering telephones, and other limited tasks on the units.

• Performs assigned housekeeping duties.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Will perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

Minimum Required:

• High School Diploma or GED

Preferred:

• College courses leading to a degree in a mental health related field or Nursing

• Previous education in a Nursing Assistant program

• Previous work experience in a health care environment

License/Certification

Preferred:

• Certified Nursing Assistant

About United Health Services

United Health Services (UHS) is a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system in New York’s Southern Tier comprising four hospitals, long-term care and home care services, and physician practices in Broome and surrounding counties. UHS provides healthcare and medical services for two-thirds of the region’s population, produces $1.3 billion a year in total economic impact, and boasts a workforce of more than 6,300 employees and providers.

At UHS, our work is guided by our Values of Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, and Innovation. Whether you provide direct patient care or support behind the scenes, you are part of a shared purpose: to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Every employee plays a meaningful role in fulfilling our mission—we’d love for you to consider joining us!

United Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

United Health Services, Inc. and the members of the UHS System neither are affiliated with, sponsored, endorsed nor approved by, nor otherwise associated with, Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS), UHS of Delaware, Inc. nor their affiliates, which can be found at www.uhsinc.com.