The MHW Program consists of a 4-week paid orientation.

Orientation consists of a combination of classroom and clinical experiences to enhance learning of the role and responsibilities of the MHW.

Weeks 1-3 hours are Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:15pm or 6:45am-3:15pm.

Week 4 consists of clinical experience on the shift of hire.

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Health & Human Services, and New Hampshire Hospital have part-time vacancies for Mental Health Worker I-II.

Summary:

Mental Health Worker I: Under the direction of the registered nurse carries out assigned tasks and provides direct care services to patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

Mental Health Worker II: Under the direction of the registered nurse carries out assigned tasks and contributes to direct care services for patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

Minimum Qualifications:

Mental Health Worker I:

Education: High school diploma or high school equivalency credential.

Experience: No experience required.

License/Certification : Must be certified as a Mental Health Worker within the first two (2) months of employment. May be required to possess a valid driver’s license in the state in which the employee resides, with appropriate endorsements required for the type of vehicle being operated. If position requires a valid driver’s license, must possess or successfully complete a Defensive driving Course as approved by the New Hampshire Safety Council within the first six (6) months of employment. If the position requires a valid driver’s license, as a condition of and prior to hire, the applicant must have verified their current New Hampshire driving record supplied by the Dept. of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles indicating no major traffic violations.

Special Requirements:

• An employee may be required to work additional hours beyond their normal work shift, engaged in work that is characteristic of their classification, in order to meet patient care needs/safe staffing levels, established by the Nursing Department of New Hampshire Hospital.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co-workers, patients and families.
• Effective problem-solving skills and judgment.
Physical ability to restrain patients.

Mental Health Worker II:

Education: High school diploma or high school equivalency credential. Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of work experience. Approved formal education includes courses or a degree in psychology, social science, special education, any of the health professions, or other area of approved study.

Experience: One year of experience in the care of mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons in a psychiatric facility, one year as a Mental Health Worker, or one years of work experience in a position or combination of positions, that would evidence possession of the requisite skills necessary for satisfactory performance at this level.

License/Certification: Must be certified as a Mental Health Worker within the first two (2) months of employment. May be required to possess a valid driver’s license in the state in which the employee resides, with appropriate endorsements required for the type of vehicle being operated. If position requires a valid driver’s license, must possess or successfully complete a Defensive driving Course as approved by the New Hampshire Safety Council within the first six (6) months of employment. If the position requires a valid driver’s license, as a condition of and prior to hire, the applicant must have verified their current New Hampshire driving record supplied by the Dept. of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles indicating no major traffic violations.

Special Requirements:

• An employee may be required to work additional hours beyond their normal work shift, engaged in work that is characteristic of their classification, in order to meet patient care needs/safe staffing levels, established by the Nursing Department of New Hampshire Hospital.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with co-workers, patients, and families.
• Effective problem-solving skills and judgment.
Physical ability to restrain patients.

Responsibilities:

Mental Health Worker I:

• Assists in admission procedure, searching for contraband, orienting the patient to the unit/hospital environment, identifies and records the patient’s valuables, and completes documentation requirements to assure good patient care.
• Communicates significant changes in patient status, reporting all untoward patient actions and/or symptoms to nurse in charge to assure safety and continuity of care.
• Supervises, reinforces, and supports patients, as necessary, in bathing, showering, and other hygiene needs. Maintains awareness of patients’ special diet / eating needs and provides a record of the patient’s intake in order to ensure that the patient’s nutritional needs are met.
• Identifies the need for walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/conditions. Provides testimony during legal proceedings to provide support. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Monitors, provides, and maintains, a safe clean environment as prescribed by standards relating to fire safety and infection control (appropriately using Personal Protective Equipment when indicated). Applies principles of Orlando Nursing Theory and the Crisis Management Program in monitoring and maintaining a therapeutic environment. Utilizes a supportive approach with anxious, agitated patients, thus offering patients an alternative to violent behavior.
• Implements individualized plan of care; provides 1:1 observation of suicidal patients, obtains vital signs. Contributes to the patient treatment process by reinforcing treatment goals during daily, continual interactions and support the patients understanding of supervision status. Purposefully observes patient behaviors, documenting objective data as well as subjective inference. Example, objectively note patient gait, subjectively notes the possibility of medication side effects.
• Escorts, supports, and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings, home placements, and other activities as necessary, ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Participates in quality improvement data collection. Completes all mandatory annual review classes in order to maintain competency.
• Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.
• Maintains current knowledge of hospital, departmental and unit-based changes by participating in staff meetings, reading policies and procedures to maintain skill and knowledge level. Seeks opportunities to expand scope of knowledge and experience through continuing education to enhance patient care skills.
• Maintains a positive customer service-oriented attitude as demonstrated by a professional and courteous demeanor in all interactions and through a professional appearance to provide a therapeutic environment.
• Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations, example, safety transports physically aggressive patients.
Exhibits willingness to perform other duties as assigned to assure smooth unit operations.

Mental Health Worker II:

• Assists in admission procedure, searching for contraband, orienting the patient to the unit/hospital environment, identifies and records the patient’s valuables, and completes documentation requirements to assure good patient care.
• Communicates significant changes in patient status, reporting all untoward patient actions and/or symptoms to nurse in charge to assure safety and continuity of care.
• Supervises, reinforces, and supports patients, as necessary, in bathing, showering, and other hygiene needs. Maintains awareness of patients’ special diet / eating needs and provides a record of the patient’s intake in order to ensure that the patient’s nutritional needs are met.
• Identifies the need for walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc., and plans activities for individuals or groups of patients in order to assure that basic health/social needs are met.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/conditions. Provides testimony during legal proceedings to provide support. Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Monitors, provides, and maintains, a safe clean environment as prescribed by standards relating to fire safety and infection control (appropriately using Personal Protective Equipment when indicated). Applies principles of Orlando Nursing Theory and the Crisis Management Program in monitoring and maintaining a therapeutic environment. Utilizes a supportive approach with anxious, agitated patients, thus offering patients an alternative to violent behavior.
• Implements individualized plan of care; recommends changes and/or develops alternative methods of implementing plans; provides 1:1 observation of suicidal patients, obtains vital signs, recommends innovative non-restrictive activities to intervene with agitated, anxious, isolative patients. Contributes to the patient treatment process by reinforcing treatment goals during daily, continual interactions and support the patients understanding of supervision status. Purposefully observe patient behaviors, documenting objective data as well as subjective inference. Example, objectively note patient gait, subjectively notes the possibility of medication side effects.
• Escorts, supports, and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings, home placements, and other activities as necessary, ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Participates in quality improvement data collection and contributes to unit-based quality assurance effort as assigned.
• Completes all mandatory annual review classes in order to maintain competency.
• Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.
• Maintains current knowledge of hospital, departmental and unit-based changes by participating in staff meetings, reading, and initialing policies and procedures to maintain skill and knowledge level. Seeks opportunities to expand scope of knowledge and experience through continuing education to enhance patient care skills.
• Maintains a positive customer service-oriented attitude as demonstrated by a professional and courteous demeanor in all interactions and through a professional appearance to provide a therapeutic environment.
• Maintains safe body mechanics while participating in physically demanding, unpredictable and potentially hazardous patient care situations, example, safety transports physically aggressive patients.
• Exhibits willingness to perform other duties as assigned to assure smooth unit operations.
Participates in on-unit orientation of new staff.

Staff Workplace Safety Accountabilities

Complies with established hospital and departmental policies and procedures by:

• Maintaining competency in hospital approved Crisis Management Program (CMP) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques for adults, infants, children and AED training.
• Performing accountabilities in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Communicating with supervisors’ issues related to workplace safety (i.e., ergonomics, body mechanics, environment, equipment, etc.).
• Reporting on the job injuries to supervisor IMMEDIATELY.
• Attending training programs, as appropriate.

Total Commitment to Quality

Participates in the process of continuous quality improvement by supporting unit/department-based quality improvement activities. Demonstrates commitment to customer service values in professional conduct and by promoting such values in assigned work area.

For further information please contact Human Resources at NHH-HR@dhhs.nh.gov

EOE
TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964