What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mental Health Safety Specialist I - Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders position at UPMC?
The Mental Health Safety Specialist I (MHSS) is responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment for patients experiencing emotional disturbance. Also assists with the specialized patient care needs of each individual patient using principles of adult development and knowledge of psychopathology. This MHSS position is located on our Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders (CADD) unit.
The CADD unit supports adults diagnosed with neuro-developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders like Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder with significant challenging behaviors like physical aggression and self-injurious behaviors. All staff working on the CADD unit are required to wear bite sleeves. Additional PPE, like caps or gloves, is also required to be worn as written in the patient’s behavior plan.
Responsibilities:
Clinical Care & Treatment Support
- Follow Behavioral Health Center philosophy, policies, and standards of care.
- Support individualized, family-centered treatment as an active Treatment Team member.
- Assist with assessment, care planning, and implementation of treatment goals.
Patient Engagement & Daily Support
- Build therapeutic relationships that support emotional growth and independence.
- Facilitate educational, social, and recreational group activities.
- Assist patients with activities of daily living, hygiene, meals, and personal organization.
Safety, Crisis Response & Milieu Management
- Maintain unit safety through regular environmental and milieu monitoring.
- Respond to crises using least-restrictive, age-appropriate interventions.
- Participate in restraints when necessary, and monitor for early intervention needs.
- Conduct and support safety drills, training, and incident reviews.
Documentation & Unit Operations
- Document patient interactions, safety concerns, and interventions accurately.
- Support admissions, hearings, visitation monitoring, and compliance with safety protocols.
- Participate in crisis and restraint debriefings to reinforce learning and reduce risk.