Mental Health Worker Trainee-Ii Full-Time

The MHW Program consists of a 4-week paid orientation.

Orientation consists of a combination of classroom and clinical experiences to enhance learning of the role and responsibilities of the MHW.

Weeks 1-3 hours are Monday – Friday, 7:45am – 4:15pm or 6:45am – 3:15pm.

Week 4 consists of clinical experience on the shift of hire.

*See total compensation information at the bottom of announcement.

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Health & Human Services, and New Hampshire Hospital have full-time vacancies for Mental Health Worker Trainees-II.

Summary:

Mental Health Worker Trainee: Under the direction of the registered nurse learns how to provide direct care services to patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

Mental Health Worker I: Under the direction of the registered nurse carries out assigned tasks and provides direct care services to patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

Mental Health Worker II: Under the direction of the registered nurse carries out assigned tasks and contributes to direct care services for patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

Minimum Qualifications:

Mental Health Worker Trainee:

Education: Graduation from high school or G.E.D or its equivalent.

Experience: No experience required

License/Certification: None required.

Special Requirements:

• Effective problem-solving skills and judgment.
• Appointments to this classification is provisional pending satisfactory completion of all required written and physical components of the Mental Health Worker Training Program as approved by the Division of Personnel within the first four (4) weeks of employment.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co-workers, patients and families.
• 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 care needs/safe staffing levels established by the Nursing-Department of New Hampshire Hospital.

Mental Health Worker I:

Education: Graduation from high school or G.E.D. or its equivalent. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of work experience. Approved formal education includes courses or a degree in psychology, social science, special education, any of the health professions or other area of approved study.

Experience: One year of experience in the care of mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons in a psychiatric facility, one year as a Mental Health Worker or one year of work experience in a position or combination of positions that would evidence possession of the required skills necessary for satisfactory performance at this level.

License/Certification: Must be certified as a Mental Health Worker. May be required to possess a valid driver's license in the state in which the employee resides, with appropriate endorsement required for the type of vehicle being operated. Must possess or successfully complete a Defensive Driving Course as approved by the New Hampshire Safety Council within the first six (6) months of employment. As a condition of and prior to hire, the applicant must have verified their current New Hampshire driving record supplied by the Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles indicating no major traffic violations.

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 care needs/safe staffing levels established by the Nursing-Department of New Hampshire Hospital.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co-workers, patients and families.
• Effective problem-solving skills and judgment.

Mental Health Worker II:

Education : Graduation from high school or G.E.D. or its equivalent. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of work experience. Approved formal education includes courses or a degree in psychology, social science, special education, any of the health professions or other area of approved study.

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

License/Certification: Must be certified as a Mental Health Worker. May be required to possess a valid driver's license in the state in which the employee resides, with appropriate endorsement required for the type of vehicle being operated. Must possess or successfully complete a Defensive Driving Course as approved by the New Hampshire Safety Council within the first six (6) months of employment. As a condition of and prior to hire, the applicant must have verified their current New Hampshire driving record supplied by the Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles indicating no major traffic violations.

Special Requirements:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co-workers, patients and families.
• 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 care needs/safe staffing levels established by the Nursing-Department of New Hampshire Hospital.
• Effective problem-solving skills and judgment.

Responsibilities:

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER TRAINEE:

• Escorts, supports and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings and other activities as necessary ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.
• Communicates significant changes in patient status reporting all untoward patient actions and/or symptoms to nurse in charge to assure safety and continuity of care.
• Completes all mandatory classes in order to establish competency.
• Maintains a positive customer service-oriented attitude as demonstrated by a profession and courteous demeanor in all interactions and through a professional appearance to provide a therapeutic environment.
• Supervises, reinforces and supports patients as necessary in bathing, showering and other hygiene needs. Maintains awareness of patients' special diet/eating needs and provides a record of the patient's intake in order to ensure that the patient's nutritional needs are met.
• Participates in patient care activities such as walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc...
• Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations, example, safely transports physically aggressive patients.
• Assists in admission procedure, searching for contraband, orienting the patient to the unit/hospital environment, identifies and records the patient's valuables and completes documentation requirement to assure good patient care.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/condition. Provides testimony during legal proceedings. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Monitors, provides and maintains a safe clean environment as prescribed by standards relating to fire safety and infection control (appropriately using Personal Protective Equipment when indicated). Applies principles of Orlando Nursing theory and the Crisis Management Program in monitoring and maintaining a therapeutic environment. Utilizes a supportive approach with anxious, agitated patients, thus offering patients an alternative to violent behavior.
• Provides 1:1 observation of suicidal patients, obtains vital signs. Contributes to the patient treatment process by reinforcing treatment goals during daily, continual interactions and support the patients understanding of supervision status. Purposefully observes patient behaviors and documents objective data.

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER I:

• Maintains a positive customer service-oriented attitude as demonstrated by a profession and courteous demeanor in all interactions and through a professional appearance to provide a therapeutic environment.
• Completes all mandatory classes in order to establish competency.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/condition. Provides testimony during legal proceedings. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations, example, safely transports physically aggressive patients.
• Provides 1:1 observation of suicidal patients, obtains vital signs. Contributes to the patient treatment process by reinforcing treatment goals during daily, continual interactions and support the patients understanding of supervision status. Purposefully observes patient behaviors and documents objective data.
• Assists in admission procedure, searching for contraband, orienting the patient to the unit/hospital environment, identifies and records the patient's valuables and completes documentation requirement to assure good patient care.
• Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.
• Supervises, reinforces and supports patients as necessary in bathing, showering and other hygiene needs. Maintains awareness of patients' special diet/eating needs and provides a record of the patient's intake in order to ensure that the patient's nutritional needs are met.
• Communicates significant changes in patient status reporting all untoward patient actions and/or symptoms to nurse in charge to assure safety and continuity of care.
• Monitors, provides and maintains a safe clean environment as prescribed by standards relating to fire safety and infection control (appropriately using Personal Protective Equipment when indicated). Applies principles of Orlando Nursing theory and the Crisis Management Program in monitoring and maintaining a therapeutic environment. Utilizes a supportive approach with anxious, agitated patients, thus offering patients an alternative to violent behavior.
• Escorts, supports and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings and other activities as necessary ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Participates in patient care activities such as walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc...

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER II:

• Assists in admission procedure, searching for contraband, orienting the patient to the unit/hospital environment, identifies and records the patient's valuables and completes documentation requirement to assure good patient care.
• Participates in patient care activities such as walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc...
• Completes all mandatory classes in order to establish competency.
• Communicates significant changes in patient status reporting all untoward patient actions and/or symptoms to nurse in charge to assure safety and continuity of care.
• Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations, example, safely transports physically aggressive patients.
• Supervises, reinforces and supports patients as necessary in bathing, showering and other hygiene needs. Maintains awareness of patients' special diet/eating needs and provides a record of the patient's intake in order to ensure that the patient's nutritional needs are met.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/condition. Provides testimony during legal proceedings. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.
• Maintains a positive customer service-oriented attitude as demonstrated by a profession and courteous demeanor in all interactions and through a professional appearance to provide a therapeutic environment.
• Monitors, provides and maintains a safe clean environment as prescribed by standards relating to fire safety and infection control (appropriately using Personal Protective Equipment when indicated). Applies principles of Orlando Nursing theory and the Crisis Management Program in monitoring and maintaining a therapeutic environment. Utilizes a supportive approach with anxious, agitated patients, thus offering patients an alternative to violent behavior.
• Escorts, supports and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings, home placements and other activities as necessary ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Exhibits willingness to perform other duties as assigned to assure smooth unit operations.
• Maintains current knowledge of hospital, departmental and unit-based changes by participating in staff meetings, reading and initialing policies and procedures to maintain skill and knowledge level. Seeks opportunities to expand scope of knowledge and experience through continuing education to enhance patient care skills.
• Implements individualized plan of care. Recommends changes and/or develops alternative methods of implementing plans.
• Provides 1:1 observation of suicidal patients, obtains vital signs, and recommends innovative non-restrictive activities to intervene with agitated, anxious, isolative patients. Contributes to the patient treatment process by reinforcing treatment goals during daily, continual interactions and support the patients understanding of supervision status. Purposefully observes patient behaviors and documenting objective data as well as subjective inference. Example, objectively note patient gait, subjectively notes the possibility of medication side effects.

Staff Workplace Safety Accountabilities

Complies with established hospital and department policies and procedures by:

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

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.

For further information please contact Claire Kent, Assistant Director of Nursing at: 603-271-5835 or [email protected].

You may also contact Human Resources at [email protected]

*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 employee's union status, and employee per pay period health benefit contributions will vary depending on the type of plan selected.

Value of State's share of Employee's 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