Job Description

Position Summary:

The Mental Health Counselor is a member of a multi-disciplinary patient treatment team, reports to the Clinical Manager or designee. The Mental Health Counselor implements responsibilities in accordance with Psychiatric nursing policies, procedures and standards.

Essential Functions and Duties:

Collect subjective and objective mental status and behavioral data using all available resources, according to Contact Person Policy and Procedure with an awareness of age-specific differences
Collect subjective and objective mental status and behavioral data using all available resources for developmentally disadvantages (cognitive impairment)
Monitor vital signs, I&O, and general physical health and reports findings to RN, incorporates discharge planning in assessment and plan of care, according to Contact Person Policy and Procedure.
Monitor need for and effect of PRN medication according to Nursing Policy
Plan shift assignment to fulfill patient care needs, and an awareness of age-related differences and needs of cognitively impaired per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures
Prepare for multidisciplinary team conference by reviewing chart and collecting patient data – i.e., mental status, behavior, activities, etc. per Primary Role and Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures
Collaborate with patient and multi-disciplinary team in planning hospitalization and discharge goals, per Primary Role and Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Develop crisis intervention plan with milieu ream, per Primary Role and Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Consult with patient and multidisciplinary team in determining interventions, education needs, and discharge plans per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Recommend changes in plan of care as indicated by mental status, behavior, additional data, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Implement interventions from plan of care, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures with an awareness of age-related difference and the needs of the cognitively impaired.
Update plan of care as appropriate, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Encourage and assist patients to complete ADL’s, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures
Encourage participation in the Group Program, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures
Educate patient regarding goals of hospitalization, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Setting verbal and physical limits to control escalating or aggressive behavior, per Contact Person Role Policy.
Clarify milieu program with families and offer support as needed, per and Contact Person Policy and Procedures
Monitor patient and visitor use of controlled items on the unit, and items brought in from pass per Monitoring of Controlled items Policy and Procedure.
Complete patient checks as assigned per Patients Checks Policy.
Assist RN with patient search for controlled items, vs, ht.,wt., and orientation to the unit on admission per Patient Admission Policy.
Clarify and implement unit rules as indicated per Rules and Guidelines for Patients and Visiting Hour Policies.
Document subjective and objective data and interventions using NAP format and communicate appropriate data on shift report per Nursing Policy.
Complete Patient Discharge Referral form as indicated per Discharge of Patients from Hospital Policy.
Evaluate and document patient response to interventions per Contact Person Role Policy with an awareness of age-specific differences and the needs of the cognitively impaired.
Continuous evaluation of patient progress toward goals of hospitalization evident in: A.) Documentation; B.) Participation in TPC’s; C.) Shift Report; D.) Unit Rounds; E.) Report to Charge Nurse, per Nursing Policy.
Completes responsibilities of Primary Coordinator, per Contact Person Role Policy in nursing and multidisciplinary teams.
Completes responsibilities of Contact Person, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Participate in orienting and teaching other staff, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Lead or co-lead Community Meeting, Wrap-up, process and activity groups, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Initiate, manage and lead crisis intervention, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Manage patient activity on the unit in collaboration with other members of the Milieu Tea, per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Report milieu problems to Charge Nurse, other team members, and next shift per Contact Person Role Policy and Procedures.
Initiate, manage and lead restraint/seclusion per Restraint/Seclusion Policy and Procedure.
Preserve patient rights relative to all aspects of their care, per Carney Hospital and Department of Psychiatry Policies
Attend and participate in unit based meetings 3-4 times per Quarter and/or reads and initials meeting notes.
Complete annual mandatory in-service education, i.e., Fire and Safety, Infection Control, Restraint/Seclusion, Mock Code, per Carney Hospital and Department of Psychiatry Policies.
Accepts responsibility for developing education plan to meet learning needs.
Responsive to feedback on clinical and professional issues from peers and CM.
Promote improvement of unit program through individual, committee, or Quality Assurance activities – i.e., completing patient profiles, task force membership, QA monitoring and other unit-based support activities, per Carney Hospital and Department of Psychiatry Policies.
Assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment, per Carney Hospital and Department of Psychiatry Policies.
Responds to verbal and nonverbal communication of patients and families according to Policy and Procedure
Demonstrates assertiveness and professionalism when dealing with other members of the healthcare team.
Promotes a positive image when representing Psychiatry unit.
Ability to problem solve using principles of assertiveness and conflict management according to department guidelines. Job assignments and tasks vary from job to job, but the expectation for both the manner in which we perform our work and also the way in which we interact with each other and our patients does not vary. Each employee is required to meet the same criteria. These requirements represent a significant portion of your evaluation and embody the spirit of the hospital and its mission.
Maintains all aspects of confidentiality as it relates to hospital business, patient affairs, personnel and other matters.
Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.
Commits to recognize and respect cultural diversity for all customers (internal and external).
Communicates effectively with internal and external customers with respect of differences in cultures, values, beliefs and ages, utilizing interpreters when needed.
Performs other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge & Skills:

Ability to work independently and take initiative
Ability to exercise good judgment and problem-solving skills
Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
Ability to maintain confidentiality

Education and Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent required
One to two years of relevant experience preferred