Psychiatric Social Health Technician

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services.

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.

Job Description

Under direct supervision of a Professional Nurse or other assigned professional staff member, performs therapeutic and related mental health service activity, maintains direct contact with people who have social and emotional problems and handicaps, and interests with clients in daily living activities, and insures a properly maintained physical, social and clinical environment including home visits and evaluation of patient needs, makes patient referrals and works with families on related social, economic and health problems.

Duties & Responsibilities
1. Observes patient's physical condition, mental state and social behavior and reports to team leader or Nurse-in-charge and provides individual nursing care for patients who are acutely ill, either physically or emotionally.
2. Participates in planning and implementing an orientation program for new patients. Gathers information for intake, social histories, referrals and related purposes which would augment the understanding of cases.
3. Participates in planning and implementing daily living activities on the ward for patients and contributes to the development of a therapeutic ward environment.
4. Assists in planning and implementing therapeutic activities with groups of hospitalized psychiatric patients and encourages client involvement in various individual and group activities as part of planned treatment programs.
5. Reports observations pertaining to patient's behavior, physical condition and activities at schedule interdisciplinary conferences and submits appropriate reports.
6. Participates with appropriate member of the psychiatric team in implementing aftercare for patients being discharged from the psychiatric service.
7. Refers and accompanies patients to community agencies and facilities offering support and guidance, as necessary.
8. Makes home visits to families of patients to encourage family participation in the treatment plan, evaluates the physical and social environment, and reports the home situation of the patient.
9. Arranges and participates in post discharge of patients. Assesses the adequacy of the home situation and patient participation with reference to post care plans and needs.
10. Follows up through home visits or by telephone contact on these patients who do not continue in aftercare plans developed for them.
11. Interviews and teaches patients and families to develop awareness of sound health practices and disease conditions, i.e., pap smear, diabetes, tranquilizer medication, lead poisoning, etc.
12. Participates in community programs to develop interest and participation in health and socio-educational services.
13. Acts as liaison between medical and nursing staffs, patients, relatives and appropriate outside agencies.
14. May perform functions and activities of the basic Nurse's Aide in support of the above tasks.

Minimum Qualifications
1. One year of satisfactory experience as described in Examples of Typical Tasks in a hospital, health care or medical facility; or
2. One year of satisfactory experience in providing non-professional nursing or medical support services in a hospital, health care or medical facility and satisfactory completion of prescribed courses in an approved training program in mental health or social health care. Also the following:
3. Ability to establish successful interpersonal relationships with patients and co-workers.
4. Good knowledge of methods and procedures used in applying appropriate treatment.
5. Ability to effectively carry out oral and written instructions.

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online at employment.nychhc.org.

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