Mental Health Worker

Job Description

Department
Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals
Division
Healthcare Health & Allied Professionals
Salary
$53,093.00 - $59,394.00
Job Profile
JC-02156200-6 - Mental Health Worker (C94 L1350 BHDDH Hospital and Rehab)
Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours
11:15pm-7:15AM; Every other weekend and days off as assigned.
This is a float position.
Pre-Employment Requirements for all candidates to receive a position at ESH or RISPH is the proof of immunity against:
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Varicella (Chickenpox),
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap),
Hepatitis B titers,
Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
N-95 Respirator FIT test
Please contact Employee Health Clinic within 2 business days of accepting the position.
The Employee Health Office at the Eleanor Slater Hospital is open 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday at:
Cranston Ph: (401) 462-2001 Fax:462-1683
Zambarano Ph: (401) 567-5524 Fax: 567-4003
RISPH Ph: (401) 462-4142
Job Requisition Number
JR101469 MENTAL HEALTH WORKER (Open)
Pay Grade
C00320 A
Classification
Mental Health Worker
Class Definition
GENERAL DEFINITION OF CLASS:

Within a state hospital or inpatient medical facility, to provide direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic treatment setting within Rhode Island State Psychiatric Hospital (RISPH). It involves promoting the therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision of forensic patients consistent with nursing care and treatment plans; performs related work in a forensic setting as required.
SUPERVISION

RECEIVED:

Works

under

the

supervision

of

a

registered

nurse

whom

assignments

are

received
in outline form; specific instructions are given with each new or unusual assignment; work is subject to review and inspection in process and upon completion for effectiveness and conformance with standards of care within the
RIPSH,
specifically
at
the forensic setting, including hospital policies, procedures and instructions.
SUPERVISION

EXERCISED
:

None
ILLUSTRATIVE

EXAMPLES

OF

WORK

PERFORMED:
Within a state hospital or inpatient medical facility
,
to provide direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic treatment setting within Rhode Island State Psychiatric Hospital (RISPH). It involves promoting the therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision of forensic patients consistent with nursing care and treatment plans performs related work in a forensic setting as required.
To perform a variety of duties involved in providing direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients within the RISPH.
To

perform

duties

related

to

therapeutic

evaluation.
To

interact

with

patients;

listen,

encourage,

support

and

provide

appropriate

feedback.
To assist professional staff in formulating and implementing treatment plans and serve as a member of the treatment team.
To wake, bathe, dress, feed and groom patients as necessary and prepare them for visitors, grounds privileges, off-site appointments and bed.
To observe policies and procedures pertaining to the security of the building which includes but not limited to conduct rounds; take patient count and conduct safety checks; file ward status reports; observe unusual behavior and report unusual incidents to a superior.
To

escort

doctors

and

visitors

on

wards

as

required.
To ensure that patients quarters are in sanitary, safe and orderly condition and free of dangerous or unapproved items constituting sharps, contraband or flammables as per RISPH policy.
To

organize,

plan,

direct,

implement,

and participate

in

unit-based

therapeutic

patient

activities

and

off-
unit activity programs.
To physically restrain patients when necessary commensurate with hospital policy and behavioral emergency response training. Restraints are applied under supervision as directed and as per RISPH restraint
policy.
To observe and report on the physical health of patients; bring signs and symptoms of physical illness to the attention of a superior; assist with physicals of blood work and collect specimens as assigned. Take temperature, pulse and respiration rates.
To carry outpatient admission, discharge and transfer procedures; inspect patients for sharps, contraband and flammables as directed and as per
RISPH
policy.
To

assist

professional

nurses

and

other

personnel

give

treatments

of

prescribed

medications.
To perform as a member of the therapeutic team by establishing a positive helping relationship with the patients and interacting professionally with other team members in carrying out the treatment programs developed. This includes collaborating with professional staff and contributing to treatment planning quality assurance or performance improvement activities as necessary.
To supervise patient recreational activities; escort patient to appointments and off-site activities.
To maintain cleanliness and safety of patient immediate environment; care for patient clothing and personal effects.
To recognize and implement a full range of infection control and disease prevention measures.
To identify and report elopement and participate in searches.
To

wear

only

appropriate

dress

and

only

hospital-approved

identification

badge.
To provide one-on-one special supervision and observational care as assigned.
To

perform

routine

housekeeping

duties

to

maintain

the

appropriate

therapeutic

milieu.
To do related work as required.
REQUIRED

QUALIFICATIONS

FOR

APPOINTMENT:
KNOWLEDGES,

SKILLS,

ABILITIES

&

CAPACITIES
:

A

working

knowledge

of

the

practices,

methods

and
techniques for the custody, care and treatment of the psychiatric patient, including those with mental and
developmental

disabilities,

in

a

forensic

setting

and

the

ability

to

apply

such

knowledge

(such

knowledge

including
basic first aid, housekeeping, patient personal needs and activities of daily living, minor treatments and infection control); the ability to safeguard and supervise patients and to maintain order, control and discipline in a therapeutic context and in a therapeutic fashion; the ability to converse and interact with patients and staff in a
professional,

positive

and

therapeutic

manner;

the

ability

to

observe

attitudes

and

the

mental

and

physical

and

other
reactions of patients and relate them orally to supervisors or other members of the treatment team and in writing in the medical record; the ability to observe clinical details about the mental and physical condition of patients, including behavioral observations as part of a behavioral plan or observational behavioral protocol, and to relate them orally and in writing; a working knowledge of the accepted housekeeping procedures of the hospital facility and the ability to apply such knowledge; the ability to cooperate and work with other employees (clinical and non-
clinical

with

a

variety

of

expertise);

the

ability

to

accept

direction

from

clinical

professionals

and

to

follow

oral

and
written instructions; a familiarity with the terms and definitions that make up clinical syndromes and the ability to describe the symptoms of mental illness particularly in the forensic setting; and related knowledge, skills, abilities and capacities.
EDUCATION

AND

EXPERIENCE:
Education:
Possession of an Associate's Degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Behavioral Science, ability to read, write and speak English and
Experience
: One year of employment in a private or public hospital or clinical program involving participation in the care, custody, treatment and rehabilitation of severely and chronically mentally disabled persons.
Or,
any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience in the treatment of the severely mentally ill persons.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
:

The following conditions of employment must be met at the time of employment:
Must be physically qualified to perform duties of the class of position and to display professional attitudes and conduct throughout the period of employment. Must complete a physical agility test consisting of a minimum number of sit ups, push-ups, 300-meter run, and 1.5 mile run with standards correlated with gender and age. Must be physically capable of lifting 40 pounds and have the physical agility and strength to maintain a safe and secure environment for patients and staff, upon hire and yearly thereafter. The candidates will be tested at the 40th percentile using the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research standards. Shall be considered medically y fit for the position after examination by qualified personnel designated by the department; such qualification shall require a vision test of at least 20/100 Snellen in the better eye, without glasses, corrected to at least 20/70 Snellen in one eye and 20/30 Snellen in the other eye with the added requirement that defective vision must not be due to active or progressive organic disease. A hearing test in which each ear must test at least 15/15 by the Whispering Voice Test. Must at all times by physically qualified to perform the assigned duties as evidenced by a physician's certificate.
Supplemental Information
GENERAL DEFINITION OF CLASS: Within a state hospital or inpatient medical facility, to provide direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic treatment setting within Rhode Island State Psychiatric Hospital (RISPH). It involves promoting the therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision of forensic patients consistent with nursing care and treatment plans; performs related work in a forensic setting as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the supervision of a registered nurse whom assignments are received in outline form; specifi