Mental Health Associate

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• Mental Health Associate Inpatient Hospital Brook Lane's Main Campus in Hagerstown, MDFull time : 7:00AM-3:30PM, 3:00PM-11:30PM, 11:00PM-7:30AM Part time: 7:00AM-3:30pm, 3:00pm-11:30pm Seeking a rewarding direct care position in the mental health field? Brook Lane Health Services is hiring Mental Health Associates for our Inpatient treatment team. Ideal candidates for this position have a compassion for helping people experiencing a mental health issue, and a desire to see people receive quality care that helps them towards healing and recovery. Brook Lane Health Services is a leading provider of mental health treatment and education in the region. Our acute psychiatric hospital serves all ages, and provides the most intensive level of care in a safe and therapeutic environment. Patients appropriate for the inpatient program include those who may meet one or more of the following criteria:
• in need of crisis stabilization
• dangerous or impulsive behaviors causing risk for injury, neglect, self-harm, or victimization
• suicidal or homicidal thinking, posing an imminent danger to themselves or others
• in need of emergency medication intervention for stabilization
• having severe difficulty functioning in daily life
• in need of monitoring 24-hours a day in a safe environment

Mental Health Associates function as a member of the treatment team that also includes: RNs, Therapists, Psychiatrists, etc. If you enjoy leading groups and activities, assisting patients with their daily needs, and utilizing your skills of compassionate care and patience, then this may be a position for you. You will also be trained on how to check vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, etc. Our Mental Health Associates also receive Therapeutic Intervention Program training, which teaches safe and appropriate verbal de-escalation and physical restraint techniques to be used if necessary. Physical restraint is always a last resort, so we look for individuals who have good verbal communication skills and a calm demeanor. When absolutely necessary for safety reasons, physical restraint may take place from a standing position, or it could be an event that takes place down on the floor. Ability to lift, stand, and participate in physical restraint is required. Evening, Overnight, and Weekend shifts pay a shift differential

Key Responsibilities:

• Works as part of the treatment team including Physicians, Nurses, Therapists, MHA's Security to help patients experiencing acute mental health issues achieve treatment goals.
• Facilitates patient involvement with the prescribed therapeutic activities on the unit.
• Monitors patient activities and promotes daily structure.
• Runs topical groups and recreational activities.
• Provides nursing support for all aspects of direct patient care (vital signs, assisting with daily needs, etc.)
• Responds to crises that may arise while utilizing appropriate verbal de-escalation and/or physical restraint techniques; all hospital staff are trained in a Therapeutic Intervention Program and are recertified every 6 months.

Qualifications:

• High school degree required with minimum 1 year of experience in mental/behavioral health or residential (Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or Human Services field preferred - no minimum experienced required with Bachelor's Degree)
• CNA, EMT, or other medical experience will be considered
• Must be able to perform physical duties such as assisting with lifting, performing behavior management duties, and therapeutic restraints which could involve standing up, or being down on the floor
• Demonstrates competence in using proper therapeutic interventions following completion of a Brook Lane training course.

We offer a competitive and generous benefit package that includes a variety of available options:

• Health insurance – PPO or high deductible plan with health savings account
• Wellness program
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) - no waiting period on matching
• Paid leave days
• Sick and safe leave days
• Education assistance (tuition and continuing education credits)
• Flexible spending accounts
• Relias learning management program
• Employee referral incentive program

EOE