Overview: Join a compassionate team dedicated to providing exceptional care in a fast-paced emergency department setting. This role involves routine patient care duties such as observation, monitoring, and recording changes in patient conditions, obtaining vital signs, assisting with daily living activities, and offering emotional support under nursing supervision. You will also facilitate therapeutic groups and help maintain a safe, clean, and supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide patient care that promotes safety, dignity, and comfort within a therapeutic environment.
• Assist with new admissions, including contraband searches, patient orientation, vital signs collection, and securing belongings.
• Support patient transfers and discharges by obtaining vital signs and managing personal items.
• Monitor and document vital signs, weight, and report abnormalities promptly.
• Help patients with personal hygiene and toileting as needed.
• Participate in therapeutic holds, restraints, and seclusion procedures following proper training.
• Engage patients through play and group activities, reporting any concerns to nursing staff.
• Conduct regular rounding and constant observation as directed.
• Assist with documentation of intake, output, and vital sign graphing.
• Facilitate therapeutic community meetings and wrap-ups.
• Contribute to educational and performance improvement initiatives and cost containment efforts.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate or Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work preferred. Nursing Assistant certification accepted. BLS certification from the American Heart Association required.

Experience: Preferred two years of psychiatric experience.

Requirements: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong customer service orientation, competency in working with children, adolescents, and adults with mental illness, and basic knowledge of age-specific considerations. Must obtain Nonviolent Crisis Intervention certification within 30 days of employment. General computer skills required.

Physical Demands: Ability to work variable shifts, including nights. Position requires bending, prolonged standing, walking, turning, and lifting patients. Visual and auditory acuity necessary for observation and documentation. May involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.