Principal Responsibilities and Duties:

Patient-Centered Care

We treat everyone seeking care as we would a family member or a dear friend. We manifest this commitment in the manner in which we interact with patients and referral sources and in the timeliness of our responses to enquiries for care. We demonstrate empathy and patience even when consumers and family members may be unable to manage their own behavior as a consequence of their illness, fears and frustrations. We strive to incorporate patient and family needs in the design and function of treatment space, intake and registration processes, medical charting, billing practices, and other operations. 

Calm, courteous, and thoughtful patient and family interactions  Answers phone with courtesy  Professional presentation in dress, appearance, and speech  Accurately gathers and appropriately conveys patient and family concerns and feedback  Adheres to all policies and procedures pertaining to the confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI)  Effectively communicates information to patients, families, supervisors, physicians, treatment team, community agencies and other healthcare providers  Promotes a positive, non- punitive atmosphere in all interactions with patients and families  Contributes to maintaining a clean, organized and pleasant treatment space  Adheres to all Sheppard Pratt and host hospital policies and procedures relating to patient-centered care   Participate in patient-centered care training 

 

Teamwork

We treat all caregivers and support staff as valued team members. We strive to work across departmental barriers in pursuit of our common goal to create healthy, sustainable health care. We utilize structured feedback captured through evaluations, job dialogues, and surveys of team members, patients, and referral sources as an essential management tool to evaluate individual performance and organizational health and success. 

On-time and ready to work for scheduled hours  Conveys an attitude of respect, teamwork, and colleagueship with all fellow care givers  Works cooperatively with all ancillary department personnel  Accepts and incorporates feedback from peers, subordinates, and supervisors  Attends or reads all staff meeting documentation  Helps to maintain an environment of trust, respect, and fairness  Promptly returns phone calls  Finishes duties and assignments on time  On-time for appointments and meetings   Dependable colleague for all scheduled shifts; provides sufficient notice for absences

 

Evidence-Based Assessment and Therapies

We utilize evidence-based assessments and patient interventions, and we collect and use data to assess the quality and success of our clinical efforts. We strive to create organizations of open-minded learners informed by sources within and outside health care. We comply with all Joint Commission, Regulatory and host hospital standards and Policies and Procedures. 

Contributes to treatment planning  Is sufficiently knowledgeable of DSM-5 terminology and concepts to contribute to diagnostic processes  Aware of treatment goals for assigned patients  Adheres to all Sheppard Pratt and host hospital policies and procedures for therapeutic activities and incident reporting.   Accurately provides and documents “patient checks”  Able to lead and document therapeutic groups  Completes mandatory clinical in-services  Maintains Restraint Training, CPR, and other host site required in-services and certifications  Knowledge of Infection Control and standard precautions  Provides accurate, detailed feedback to parents about their child  Documents patient needs and interventions legibly, accurately, and timely utilizing problem-oriented language  Contributes to zero or minimal use of chemical or physical restraints or seclusion through appropriately de-escalating agitated patients  Demonstrates the ability to participate in restraint/seclusion  Accurately completes seclusion/restraint documentation  Participates in and is aware of current CQI activities and projects   If designated, serves as Human Rights Officer for the unit. Acts as a knowledgeable resource for patients, families and staff regarding regulatory and human rights, effectively investigates complaints, and ensures follow-through with unit Director. Attends annual DMH human rights officer training

 

Fiscal Responsibilities

We prescribe and implement treatment services that are financially and operationally sustainable within the limits of reimbursement and hospital allocations of charitable giving. We use data-driven process improvement to guide our interventions and business operations. We provide services up to the full limits of inpatient bed capacity, ambulatory care availability, and staff expertise. 

Is aware and supportive of importance of treating all appropriate patients up to unit census capacity  Participates in “right-staffing” within the limits of our reimbursement for services  Acts as a responsible steward of expenses through punching in and out within scheduled hours; avoids unnecessary overtime expense  Accurately documents all clinical activities in support of appropriate reimbursement and regulatory requirements  Supports our positive image as a quality health care services provider and helps to project this image to our patients and customers  Is aware of patient and hospital costs and avoids excessive or unnecessary costs  Maintains confidentiality of Sheppard Pratt and host hospital financial information

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in Mental Health or Human Services-related field preferred.   Experience working with children and adolescents in an inpatient setting is preferred.  Familiarity of child and adolescent assessment skills  Effective oral and written communication skills  Ability to develop a therapeutic relationship while maintaining professional boundaries   Knowledgeable in the area of behavior modification techniques and theories  A strong knowledge base of age-specific growth and developmental stages  Ability to develop appropriate treatment interventions based on developmental needs and/or delays  Ability to manage stressful situations in a calm, organized, and professional manner  Compliance with Sheppard Pratt and host hospital standards including BLS and Restraint Training 

 

Working Conditions: Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability(s) to perform the essential functions of this position.

 This position requires direct care to patients including lifting, moving and assisting.  Regular standing, bending, walking and lifting.  Capacity to participate in physical restraints of patients and to perform all aspects of Basic Life Support (BLS).   The work environment is a locked inpatient psychiatric program for children and adolescents aged four through seventeen that operates 24 hours/day seven days a week.  Must possess adequate strength and stamina to work on their feet for the work day.  Possess an ability to recognize patient care problems as they arise.  In response to these situations, must effectively assist their colleagues in the implementation of appropriate interventions for patients, their families, and the milieu. May be exposed to violent/aggressive behavior, communicable diseases, blood/body fluids, and hazardous waste. 

 

Reporting Relationships: 

Reports to the Nurse Manager