MENTAL HEALTH WORKER IV

4470Under a recent change to the rules, an applicant’s additional relevant experience now counts towards formal education degrees referenced in the posting! See Per 405.01.

18 Months of additional relevant experience = Associates degree

36 Months of additional relevant experience = Bachelors degree

54 Months of additional relevant experience = Masters degree

*See total compensation information at the bottom of announcement.

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, and New Hampshire Hospital has a full-time vacancy for a Mental Health Worker IV.

SUMMARY :

Acts as a functional supervisor/mentor to the Mental Health Worker Trainee – III Unit positions. Under the direction of the Nursing Coordinator or Charge Nurse, provides specialized services involved in the care and counseling of patients with the most difficult problems carries out assigned tasks and participates in providing direct patient care as part of the health care team, and in support of a therapeutic milieu, within the scope of defined practice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Associate’s degree from a recognized college or technical institute with major study in psychology, behavioral science, social science, human services, education, and any of the health professions or other approved area of study. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.

Experience: Three years of experience in the care of mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons in a psychiatric facility OR three years of experience as a Mental Health Worker OR three years of work experience in a position or combination of positions that would evidence possession of the requisite skills necessary for satisfactory performance at this level including one year of experience in a supervisory capacity.

License/Certification: Must be certified as a Mental Health Worker. Valid drivers license if required by job function and noted on the supplemental job description.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: An employee may be required to work additional hours beyond their normal work shift, engaged in work that is characteristic of their classification, in order to meet patient/client care needs/safe staffing levels, established by the Nursing Department of New Hampshire Hospital or by Designated Receiving Facility.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Evidence of or capacity to acquire clinical skills and judgment appropriate to specific area of assignment. Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co?workers, patients, families, and outside agencies. Effective problem-solving skills. Physical ability to restrain patients.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates ability to establish therapeutic alliances, serves as a liaison between various hospital-based medical/rehabilitative disciplines that are critical in assisting patients in meeting their basic personal needs and to work toward their recovery-oriented treatment goals. Engages patients in a group or with 1:1 activities, provides prompting, and reinforces behavioral and educational treatment goals. Makes recommendations to policies and procedures as needed.
• Engages patients in therapeutic activities, managing their symptoms and working towards treatment goals. Collaborates with the Charge Nurse to maintain a safe environment and to plan and execute crisis management interventions during behavioral emergencies makes recommendations to policies and procedures as needed.
• Provides supervision, training, orientation, assistance, and guidance to lower-level Mental Health Worker staff during work shifts, including ensuring quality and completeness of assignments, reviewing work, providing input and communication about appropriate treatment goals/activities in performing primary patient care and unit maintenance, and promoting consistent and timely implementation of treatment needs and interventions. May provide review of notes for lower-level Mental Health Workers to ensure consistency and to provide recommendations for improvement.
• Acts as a role model and preceptor for other Mental Health Workers. Provides Nursing Coordinator/designee with input regarding performance evaluations, need for further training and disciplinary action involving Mental Health Workers I-III.
• Maintains basic records and case notes which are used for treatment and work management purposes compiles unit notes regarding individuals and groups of patients/residents/clients, ensures adequate documentation is provided in accordance with agency policy. Orders needed supplies for team and unit/house operations.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of patient activities. Engages patients in therapeutic activities, managing their symptoms and working towards treatment goals. Assists patients in resolving community living problems.
• Collaborates with the Charge Nurse to maintain a safe environment and to plan and execute crisis management interventions during behavioral emergencies. Does mechanical restraints and other safety related tasks as assigned.
• Fosters positive patient and consumer relations by a professional and courteous demeanor in all interactions and through a professional appearance. Seeks out and utilizes supervision.
• Seeks opportunities to expand scope of knowledge and experience through continuing education.
• Participates in the process of continuous quality improvement by supporting unit/department-based quality improvement activities. Demonstrates commitment to customer service values in professional conduct and by promoting such values in assigned work area.
• Escorts and supervises patients at appointments, hearings, home placements, and other activities as necessary, ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations for example, safely transports physically aggressive patients.
• Performs simple somatic interventions, safety checks, observation levels, i.e., vital signs, weights, intake, and output. Appropriately and accurately documents and reports all pertinent patient care data.
• Takes and records vital signs and reports results to nurse or Component Director/Resident Services Director for positions assigned to Transitional Housing Services. May collect samples for routine laboratory examinations.
• Exhibits willingness to perform other duties as assigned.

STAFF WORKPLACE SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Complies with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures by:

• Maintaining competency in hospital approved Crisis Management Program (CMP) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques for adults, infants, children and AED training.
• Performing accountabilities in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Communicating with supervisors’ issues related to workplace safety (i.e., ergonomics, body mechanics, environment, equipment, etc.).
• Reporting on the job injuries to supervisor IMMEDIATELY.
Attending training programs, as appropriate.

Total Commitment to Quality

Participates in the process of continuous quality improvement by supporting unit/department-based quality improvement activities. Demonstrates commitment to customer service values in professional conduct and by promoting such values in assigned work area.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The supplemental job description lists the essential functions of the position and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification .

For further information please contact Aimee-Lynn Sheltry, Nurse Coordinator, at 603-271-5510 or email Aimee-Lynn.Sheltry@dhhs.nh.gov .

You may also contact Human Resources at NHH-HR@dhhs.nh.gov.

*TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

The State of NH total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits, including:

HMO or POS Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits:

The actual value of State-paid health benefits is based on the employees union status, and employee per pay period health benefit contributions will vary depending on the type of plan selected.

Value of States share of Employees Retirement: 13.85% of pay.

Other Benefits:

o Dental Plan at minimal cost for employees and their families ($500-$1800 value)

o Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts

o State defined benefit retirement plan and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan.

o Work/life balance flexible schedules, paid holidays and generous leave plan

o $50,000 state-paid life insurance plus additional low-cost group life insurance

o Incentive-based Wellness Program (ability to earn up to $500)

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website:

EOE

TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964