Purpose:
The Mental Health Specialist/Safety position is within UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders (CADD) inpatient unit. The CADD Inpatient Program follows a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. The Mental Health Specialist/Safety will be responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment for patients experiencing emotional disturbance, they will also assist with the specialized patient care needs of each individual patient using principles of adult development and knowledge of psychopathology. 

Responsibilities:

Adhere to established policies, procedures, and standards of care. Develop supportive interpersonal relationships with individuals and groups of patients in accordance with treatment plan goals and that will continue the patient's development as an adult. Function within the philosophy of the Behavioral Health Center. Acknowledge the specific nature of the patient's dysfunction and considers the effect with community, caregivers, family members, and program staff. Contribute in the development and implementation of individualized patient care plans and assists in the integration into comprehensive treatment plans. Supervise and assist patients with personal hygiene tasks including bathing, dressing, eating, caring for clothing, and organizing personal belongings daily. Participate as a Treatment Team member in assessing the social and emotional needs of the patient. Assist in physical restraint techniques necessary in an attempt to control violent, combative patients and maintain a safe environment with respect to age-specific competencies and guidelines in conformance with seclusion and restraint policies and positive approaches training. Initiate debriefing sessions and provide feedback to staff after seclusion and restraint situations and any crisis situation. Assess for changes in patient behavior that may require a 1:1 interaction to provide early intervention Document patient encounters in medical record/progress note May engage/encourage patients to participate in a safety related group/activity. May assist with Mental Health Hearing process based on staffing needs. May meet and greet ambulance personnel bringing admissions. Assure commitment documentation is complete. Monitor visiting hour activity assuring no visiting takes place in patient rooms, no contraband is passed off by visitors to patients, and milieu remains calm. Demonstrate knowledge of each patient as an individual within the framework of the family. Plan and participates in educational, social and recreational activities for individuals and groups of patients in accordance with treatment plan goals. Conduct proactive safety rounds throughout the units, monitoring the milieu. Conduct Environmental Safety Rounds each shift and document/report any unsafe conditions as well as any security violations. Monitor the milieu for any safety concerns or risks. Provide assistance as requested to clinical staff in the care and safety of patients, staff or visitors. Respond to all Condition M calls in a professional manner with respect to age-specific guidelines and competencies. Provide trainings in safety issues specific to the needs of the units based on specific need of patients and staff. Assist in investigating reports of incidents to include patient related issues, and any other areas considered to be of importance in the day-to-day operation of the unit.