Job Summary

Responsible for providing patients with daily living activities. Maintains the environment to ensure the safety of staff, patients, families, and visitors.

Job Specific Duties

• Applies collaborative problem solving approach with daily and routine interaction with patients. 
• Assists patients with activities of daily living, personal care, & comfort measures. Assist with certain behavioral interventions and test/procedures under the direction and supervision of RN. 
• Assists RN with patient intake/admission paperwork. 
• Documents significant occurrences, observed behaviors, I &O (if ordered), and observation findings in patient charts and reports to RN. 
• Communicates patient’s behavior to team. Reports any significant changes in patient condition or behavior to RN. 
• Conducts group sessions with a preset agenda and format. Actively reassess safety and precautions with patients in relevant groups. 
• Employs therapeutic sensitivity and skills in managing inappropriate patient behavior, difficult people, and complex situations. 
• Completes documentation and reports accurately and thoroughly on a timely basis (includes patient teaching, 15 min observations, outdoor activities, groups, etc.) 
• Performs clerical duties related to support of unit activities as assigned and assists with obtaining weights, vital signs, logging patient belongings, and specimen collection. 
• Evaluates patients' responses to implementation of treatment plan. 
• Interacts with patients in a therapeutic manner to improve social skills aligned with their treatment goals while maintaining a safe & therapeutic milieu by monitoring compliance with program rules. 
• Maintains a safe, clean, and organized environment for patients, staff, and visitors. 
• Plans and implements therapeutic patient activities, as well as, assists RNs and therapists in completion of treatment plans. 
• Provides appropriate individualized de-escalation techniques. 
• Reports patient/family complaints and/or allegations of abuse/neglect by staff to nurse and  Leaders. 
• Provides continuous supervision and observation of patient activities. 
• Greets and welcomes patients, families, and visitors. Communicates information regarding services and delivers excellent and timely service and support. 
• Provides continuous supervision, observation of behavioral health patients, and adheres to non-violent crisis intervention strategies (CPI). 

Minimum Job Requirements

• Successfully complete CPI (Crisis Intervention Training) prior to Orientation in the Psychiatry department (within 7 days of hire)- maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• American Heart Association BLS - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• Level II Background Check and Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Complete the basic hours of orientation plus 12 hours of in-service training during first year of service

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• High school education or equivalent preferred
• Prior experience working with children and/or adolescents preferred
• Hospital experience as a Care Assistant with appropriate training in Psychiatry department will be considered.
• Flexibility in changing situations.
• Communicates in a clear and professional fashion.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and react calmly under stressful conditions.
• Ability to problem solve.