Signature Healthcare is Southeastern Massachusetts’ premier local provider of quality, personalized medical services. We are comprised of the award-winning not-for-profit Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital; Signature Medical Group (SMG), a multi-specialty physician group of more than 150 physicians practicing in 18 ambulatory locations. We believe our distinctive Signature Healthcare team approach is the way healthcare should be: medical professionals across many locations communicating and collaborating, taking advantage of technologies and resources to make a difference in the lives and health of our patients. Position Summary: Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, Mental Health Specialists provide routine direct patient care to stabilize and maintain the psychological and physical well-being of all patients admitted to the ED Behavioral Health unit. Mental Health Specialists ensure a safe and engaging milieu by implementing patient-centered interventions based on each patient’s individual needs. Mental Health Specialists monitor patients and communicates patients’ level of safety to the Behavioral Health team. Location: Brockton, MA Department: Emergency Department This is a part-time day position with approximately 32 hours weekly. Responsibilities: + 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 + Provides care for patients’ physical needs including vital sign assessment and assisting with activities of daily living + Performs patient safety checks, environmental safety checks and one-to-one safety observations as required + Documents in patients EHR to record patients’ status + Establishes therapeutic relationships/rapport with patients while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries + Attuned to environmental and patient safety risks and immediately communicates risks to Registered Nurse + Observes for changes in patients’ behavior, mental or physical status, safety and functionality and provides appropriate interventions as indicated to keep patients safe + Documents and communicates changes in patients behavior, mental status, functionality and safety + Identifies patient behaviors and verbal/non-verbal communications that may signify the risk of crisis development + Utilizes verbal and non-verbal therapeutic communication techniques to de-escalate crisis situations + Completes required non-violent crisis intervention training and implements training as needed for crisis management + Serves as a role model by exemplifying professional boundaries, behavior and communication techniques + Ensures compliance with infection control policies/procedures by patients, visitors and employees + Interacts with patients, visitors, collaterals and all employees of the SHBH Organization in a professional manner + Completes all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Registered Nurse BASIC KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/APTITUDE/EXPERIENCE: + Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist. + Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. + Must be able to reasonably make appropriate judgment in communications and actions with patients, physicians, other associates, outside agencies, and vendors. + Strong therapeutic communication and interpersonal skills + Ability to adapt to an ever-changing milieu and patient population + Effective time management and organizational skills + Exercise independent judgment and problem solving in managing the therapeutic milieu within their scope of practice + Ability to effectively de-escalate crisis situations with verbal and non-verbal skills Education/Experience/Licenses/Technical/Other: + Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required. Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in a related field preferred. + Experience (Type & Length): Minimum of one year experience working within the mental health field. Experience working on an inpatient psychiatric unit preferred. + Certification/Licensure: Complete and maintain Basic Life Support CPR Certification through the American Heart Association + Software/Hardware: + Other: Complete and maintain Non-violent Crisis Intervention training