Mental Health Specialist II - Psychiatric Assessment Services (PAS) - 12 hour shifts Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity of culture, thinking, learning and leading is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilts mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. Click Here To View The VUMC Promise of Discovery Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital is accepting applications for a Mental Health Specialist II Psychiatric Assessment Services). In this role, you will perform the patient care necessary to implement individual treatment plans under the supervision of the registered nurse. You will participate as an active team member in designated therapeutic groups and community meetings. Additionally, you will assist in maintaining the therapeutic environment of the clinical program and participate in continuous improvement and development of assigned clinical program. This is a 36 hour per week position (full time with benefits on 1st day of employment). You must be open to variable shifts (12 hours each) to include weekends. Shift differentials apply. Opportunity to pick up additional shifts may be available after orientation is completed. This is an entry level position (degree required) within the field of mental health and behavioral health. For more information regarding the physical requirements and environmental conditions for this job, please click [here](http://www.vanderbilt.edu/work-at- vanderbilt/requirements/nursing10.pdf). Key Functions and Expected Performances: 1. Provide direct patient care under supervision of a RN 1. Displays a respect for patients as evidenced by maintenance of confidentiality of patient information and promotion of patient's rights and responsibilities 2. Carries out procedures under supervision of RN including special precautions, PMAB skills and seclusion and restraint correctly and safely 3. May escort/transport patients in and out of the hospital 4. May assist with physical care of patients 5. Observe and intervene, when necessary, in patient behavior 6. Assist with admissions, discharges, activities and patient and unit searches 7. Attend group meetings 8. Maintain and ensure safety of the facility and equipment by notifying appropriate personnel of safety hazards, filing incident reports when applicable and assisting in ensuring staff and patients are following safety rules 9. Establish and maintain appropriate therapeutic patient relationships 10. Demonstrate competency and knowledge regarding growth and developmental issues of the adult populations through therapeutic interactions and documentation 2. Follow through and implement patients' Treatment Plan and Nursing plan of care 1. Read nursing plan of care and treatment plan 2. Attends treatment team meetings as assigned, communicates observations to treatment team, follows through and implements appropriate interventions from these and documents interventions with reference to treatment plan foci or nursing care diagnoses 3. Attends therapy groups as assigned and facilitates discussion groups/education meetings 4. Interacts in therapeutic manner with patients, documents and communicates observations in medical record and to treatment team 2. Documentation 1. Consistently documents all pertinent clinical information on a daily basis, including all unusual incidents 2. Completes documentation for Seclusion/Restraint and Special Precautions accurately 3. Complete Incident Reports for any unusual occurrences and submit to Coordinator 4. May complete point sheets, communication books, diet sheets, midnight census sheets, etc. 5. Assist program coordinator in writing program narrative, goals and objectives, patient handbook and other reports or documents for the clinical program 3. Utilizes therapeutic communication skills 1. Display effective communication skills as evidenced by initiation and maintenance of therapeutic relationships with all patients 2. Set limits for patients as needed in a caring and consistent manner in accordance with Program Narrative/Patient Handbook, as evidenced by avoiding power struggles and escalation of patients 3. Serve as role model for implementation of patient care standards and initiate problem solving with team members to assure a safe and therapeutic environment for patients 4. Participate in hospital and Patient Care Services Performance Improvement Program 1. Provide input into identifying problems or areas for improvement, PI data and/or quality control indicators, recommending and/or planning improvements and evaluation of results of implemented improvements 2. Participate, as assigned, on program, Patient Care Services and/or hospital performance improvement teams 3. Maintain awareness of performance improvement activities occurring around the hospital and how these may impact patient care 5. Participate in Professional Development Activities 1. Complete required hospital in-service training and certifications, as assigned 2. Maintain current knowledge of applicable nursing and hospital policies and procedures 3. Participate in staff meetings, in-services and other meetings as assigned VUMC Recent Accomplishments Because we are committed to providing the best in patient care, education and research, we are proud of our recent accomplishments: * US News & World Report: #1 Hospital in Tennessee, #1 Health Care Provider in Nashville, #1 Audiology (Bill Wilkerson Center), 12 adult and 10 pediatric clinical specialties ranked among the nation's best, #15 Education and Training * Truven Health Analytics: among the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. * Becker's Hospital Review: one of the "100 Greatest Hospitals in America" * The Leapfrog Group: grade "A" in Hospital Safety Score * National Institutes of Health: among the top 10 grant awardees for medical research in the US * Magnet Recognition Program: Vanderbilt nurses are the only group honored in Tennessee * Nashville Business Journal: Middle Tennessee's healthiest employer * **American Hospital Association: **among the 100 "Most Wired" medical systems in the US * Download the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Facts 2016-2017 to learn more about our services and facilities. _Essential Elements: _ * Bachelors Degree * One year of mental health experience _Preferred: _ * Bachelors Degree (Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred) * 2-5 years of mental health experience or the equivalent * Refined interpersonal and team skills * Ability to make good decisions; follows policies/procedures * Ability to facilitate group discussions and be an active listener * Ability to respond to emergencies with a calm demeanor **Primary Location: **TN-Nashville-Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital (VPH) **Work Locations: ** **Job: **Social Work/Mental Health/Other Therapies **Organization: **Vanderbilt University Medical Center