Psychiatric Social Health Tech

Since 1875, South Brooklyn Health has established its reputation for clinical excellence and culturally competent care. It has designations as a Certified Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Center, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, an accredited Baby-Friendly Hospital, a U.S. News & World Report high performing hospital. The hospital's staff is as diverse as the patients they serve. Interpreter services can be provided at any time of the day or night in over 130 languages.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Work Shifts

12:00 P.M - 8:30 P.M

Job Description

Purpose:

Under the direct supervision of a registered professional nurse, and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, performs therapeutic and related mental health service activity, maintains direct contact with people who have emotional problems and handicaps, and interacts with patient (school age, adolescent, adult, geriatric) in the psychiatric/substance abuse areas, and insures a properly maintained physical, social and clinical environment, in the Psychiatric units including evaluation of patient needs (and home visits as necessary), encourages recommended referrals and works with families on related social and health problems.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The Psychiatric/Social Health Technician is charged with and responsible for:

• Applies knowledge of therapeutic communication techniques.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of psychiatric and chemical dependency disease processes including the impact of levels of anxiety on behavior.
• Identifies the chain of command in the problem solving processes in patient care and uses these in a timely fashion.
• States the hospital mission to patients and families and describes its impact on patient care.
• Demonstrates the ability to orient patients to their surroundings and provide a safe environment during the admission process, patient search, property check, visitor check.
• Escorts patients to court, outside agencies, clinics, activities within the hospital and on the units.
• Assists the professional staff in implementing the treatment plan including vital signs, assisting with lab work, EKGs, specimens, group activities, performing activities of daily living, repositioning, transferring and transportation of patient.
• Performs tasks to ensure patient safety/security including appropriate use of restraint, C.O., Q30 check, seclusion, check sheets, locating equipment, and team assist in emergencies.
• Questions changes in patients' behavior/physical status and reports these to charge personnel in a timely fashion.
• Examines own personal difficulties in working with acutely ill psychiatric patients and readily seeks assistance/instruction from other team members.
• Assesses difficulties in promoting certain policies/procedures and reports these in staff meetings before major problems develop.
• Complies with all policies concerning confidentiality especially where patients are known in the community.
• Works effectively as a member of the multi disciplinary team in planning and implementing behavioral treatment plans.
• Understands the impact of staff behavior on patients and resolves interpersonal staff issues in private areas.
• Interacts courteously with patients and families in explaining and enforcing unit rules/regulations always aware of the multi-cultural diversity of our community.
• Assist professional staff in education of patients and families regarding mental illness, and substance abuse symptoms, compliance with aftercare both individually and in groups.
• Perform all duties in alignment with the mission, vision, values, and behavioral expectations of NYC Health + Hospitals

Minimum Qualifications

• Six (6) months of satisfactory experience assisting patients with daily living and therapeutic activities and performing other related functions in a hospital or a health care setting; and
• Holds or obtains a valid and current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) within sixty (60) calendar days of appointment to the title.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs

Vacancy Control Board Number

VCB #: CON-09272024-0126