Salaries listed above include 20% wage enhancement above base pay. Wage enhancements are for a specific period and are not part of base pay .

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

Summary:

Mental Health Worker Trainee: Under the direction of the registered nurse learns how to provide direct care services to patients in an acute psychiatric care facility setting.

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 Trainee:

Education: Graduation from high school or G.E.D. or its equivalent

Experience: No experience required

License/Certification: None required.

Special Requirements:

• Appointments to this classification is provisional pending satisfactory completion of all required written and physical components of the Mental Health Worker Training Program as approved by the Division of Personnel within the first four (4) weeks of employment.
• 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 I:

Education: Graduation from high school or G.E.D. or its equivalent. 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 year of work experience in a position or combination of positions that would evidence possession of the required skills necessary for satisfactory performance at this level.

License/Certification: Must be certified as a Mental Health Worker. May be required to possess a valid driver's license in the state in which the employee resides, with appropriate endorsement required for the type of vehicle being operated. 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. As a condition of and prior to hire, the applicant must have verified their current New Hampshire driving record supplied by the Department 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 : Graduation from high school or G.E.D. or its equivalent. 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: Two years 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 year of work experience in a position or combination of positions that would evidence possession of the required skills necessary for satisfactory performance at this level.

License/Certification: Must be certified as a Mental Health Worker. May be required to possess a valid driver's license in the state in which the employee resides, with appropriate endorsement required for the type of vehicle being operated. 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. As a condition of and prior to hire, the applicant must have verified their current New Hampshire driving record supplied by the Department 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 TRAINEE:

• 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 requirement 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.
• Participates in patient care activities such as walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc...
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/condition. Provides testimony during legal proceedings. 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.
• 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 and documents objective data.
• Escorts, supports and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings and other activities as necessary ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Completes all mandatory classes in order to establish competency.
• Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.
• Maintains a positive customer service-oriented attitude as demonstrated by a profession 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, safely transports physically aggressive patients.
• Exhibits willingness to perform other duties as assigned to assure smooth unit operations.
  

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 requirement 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.
• Participates in patient care activities such as walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc...
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/condition. Provides testimony during legal proceedings. 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.
• 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 and documents objective data.
• Escorts, supports and supervises patients at appointments, legal proceedings and other activities as necessary ensuring that patient safety is maintained.
• Completes all mandatory classes in order to establish competency.
• Seeks out and appropriately utilizes supervision from Nursing Coordinator/designee in order to assure safe practice.
• Maintains a positive customer service-oriented attitude as demonstrated by a profession 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, safely 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 requirement 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.
• Participates in patient care activities such as walk groups, quiet games, arts, etc...
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of patient histories/condition. Provides testimony during legal proceedings. 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, and 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 observes patient behaviors and 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.
• Completes all mandatory classes in order to establish 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 profession 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, safely 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 department policies and procedures by:

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

Disclaimer Statement: The supplemental job description lists typical examples of work and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to a position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification.

For further information please contact Anne Marie Durant, Nursing Coordinator, at Anne.M.Durant@dhhs.nh.gov or 603-271-5341.

You may also contact Human Resources at: NHH-HR@dhhs.nh.gov.