Psychiatric Social Health Technician

NYC Health + Hospitals • Full-time • New York, New York State, United States • $48.58k / year • 2m ago

About NYC Health + Hospitals

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Job Description

Under the direct supervision of a professional Nurse or other assigned professional staff member, performs functions related to assisting patients with activities of daily living and personal hygiene, and participates as a member of a treatment, nursing or health care team in implementing appropriate regimens for patients who are in Behavioral Health service areas. Acts in compliance with health care system and all relevant regulatory policies.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Observes patient’s physical condition, mental state and social behavior and reports to team leader or Nurse-InCharge and provides individual nursing care for patients who are acutely ill, either physically or emotionally.

2. Participates in planning and implementing an orientation program for new patients. Gathers information for intake, social histories, referrals and related purposes which would augment the understanding of cases.

3. Participates in planning and implementing daily living activities on the ward for patients and contributes to the development of a therapeutic ward environment.

4. Assists in planning and implementing therapeutic activities with groups of hospitalized psychiatric patients and encourages client involvement in various individual and group activities as part of planned treatment programs.

5. Assists with the physical care and personal hygiene of selected patients, consisting of, but not limited to bathing, turning and positioning, skin care, passive and active range of motion, mouth care, foot care, nail care, applying hot and cold packs, etc.

6. Assists patients with meal selection and feeds patients, if necessary, delivers/removes trays, distributes water, nourishment, ice, etc.

7. With successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals program, assists behavioral health team in the application and removal of restraints and the implementation of restraints/seclusion, when deemed necessary by appropriate personnel, ensuring the physical and emotional health and safety of the patient when using such methods.

8. On the direction of a registered nurse or other professional staff member, either individually or as part of behavioral health team may escort patient to required location(s), within and outside of the health care setting.

9. Takes patient vital signs, when directed to do so by clinical staff, and enters patient vital sign data into the electronic medical record performs finger stick tests.

10. Changes linen and makes beds. Keeps ward and/or unit, linen, utility, treatment, storage rooms and recreational areas in a neat and orderly fashion.

11. Disinfects personal items with appropriate disinfectant products, when required.

12. May perform functions and activities of the basic Nurse’s Aide in support of the above tasks, and other related work, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; and

2. *Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion must be completed prior to an individual performing such work; and

3. Successful completion of NYC Health + Hospitals training in the performance of vital signs and grooming within ninety (90) calendar days of appointment to the title; and

4. Holds or obtains a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) within sixty (60) calendar days of appointment to the title.

How To Apply

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NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
Multiple employee discounts programs