Mental Health Worker

Kaweah Health is a publicly owned, community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia area in central California. With more than 5,000 employees, Kaweah Health provides state-of-the-art medicine and high-quality preventive services in our acute care hospital, specialized health centers and clinics. Our eight-campus healthcare district has 613 beds and offers comprehensive health services across a broad continuum of care.   

It takes a special person to work for Kaweah Health. We serve a region where the needs are great, which makes the rewards even greater. Every day, we care for people facing unique challenges and in need of healing. Throughout it all, our focus is to make a difference, and we do — in the health of our patients, our loved ones, and our community.

Benefits Eligible

Work Shift

Department

QUALIFICATIONS

License /Certification
Required:

HeartSaver AED

Kaweah Health approved crisis intervention training within 60 days of hire/transfer.

Education
Preferred:

High school diploma
Health field related courses

Experience
Preferred: Experience with basic psychiatric and nursing skills; general patient care experience to support safety of patient, completion of Activities of Daily Living and patient mobility.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Desire to work with involuntary/persistently mentally ill adults is crucial.
Communicate effectively and non-defensively with patients and family members.
Ability to assist in verbal or physical de-escalation, when required.
Ability to assist patient care staff with activities of daily living (bath, dress, feed, reposition, toilet).
Ability to meet physical demands of the position, including but not limited to assisting to restrain a patient.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential

Monitors patient behavior in a therapeutic care environment, setting limits when needed, and responsible for communicating observations to the team.
Performs and documents patient safety checks, and direct patient observation as patient safety advocate.
As assigned monitors patient visitors, assuring no contraband is in the room with the patient.
Assists with admission and discharge of patients, assists patients with changing into hospital attire, assists with contraband searches, inventory of patient belongings, meal delivery and nourishment/snack distribution.
Initiates and responds to Code Gray, participates in the holding of patients for involuntary medication administration, and restraint application.
Assists with emergency care by providing basic life support.
Monitors and ensures a safe environment of care according to policy.

Maintains a safe and clean working environment, including unit-based safety and basic infection control requirements.
Reports changes in patient condition to professional staff as soon as it is safe to do so.
Answers phones, retrieves charts, completes patient paperwork and documentation as assigned.
Follows all established safety guidelines to maintain safety for self, coworkers, and patients.
Monitors patients in protective or violent restraints, documenting observations and care provided.

Addendum (essential for specific dept)

WHEN ASSIGNED TO MENTAL HEALTH ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Accompanies patients within Kaweah Health Mental Health Hospital (dining room, gym, outdoors, entry, exit, etc) and to community locations for court/assessment/testing.

Assists in gathering patients for MD's, groups, meals, etc.

Transports meals from dining area to unit for patients not clinically appropriate for off unit meals.

WHEN ASSIGNED AS PATIENT SAFETY ADVOCATE (PSA) FOR HIGH-RISK PATIENTS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, ACUTE CARE UNITS OR MENTAL HEALTH ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BELOW DUTIES:

Under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Psychiatric Technician:
Provides a safe environment as a PSA for patients needing one to one or direct observation of more than one patient in a combined assignment, for patients who are at high risk for suicide, self-harm, elopement, falls or other identified risks by performing the below:

Assists by providing constant observation as required by patient(s) specific risk.

Engages patient in safe activities such as coloring, conversations, music etc.

Provides general care as appropriate to the patient(s) assigned.

Ensures policies and procedures associated with the care of high-risk patients (suicide/self-harm, elopement risk, etc.) are followed.

Enlists support of Charge Nurse if needed.

Additional

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and services appropriate to the population served on the assigned unit or work area. Knowledgeable of growth and development for all patient/family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, and age specific needs. Able to effectively communicate and care for patient and family as reflected in the Plan for Provision of Care.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Pay Range

If you want to use your talents alongside people who face each day with courage and purpose, in an environment that empowers you to do your absolute best, this is where you belong.