The Adult Psychiatry Inpatient Unit is seeking an Extra Help Mental Health Counselor (MHCI). The MHCI will work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). The MHCI delivers patient care utilizing the Relationship-Based Care model as a framework. The MHCI provides care and takes initiative to improve patient outcomes by supporting Shared Leadership, Evidence Based Practice and Magnet’s Five Models of Care in clinical practice. Through therapeutic relationships with patients, families, self and colleagues, the MHCI functions as an interdisciplinary

Clinical

1. Performs continuous patient observations to promote patient and staff safety at all times.
2. Observes, reports, and documents patient’s behavior and responses to therapy in the electronic medical record.
3. Participates in individual or group therapeutic activities; observes and documents patient’s response to activities.
4. Develops and maintains therapeutic relationship with patients and their families.
5. Assists patients with activities of daily living.
6. Measures and records vital signs, weight and height.
7. Plans group sessions, field trips and related therapeutic activities for patients.
8. Assists with application of restraints and monitors the psychological and physical well-being of patients in restraints and documents observations.
9. Performs One-to-One coverage and monitoring of patients as assigned and documents observations.
10. Assists with patient seclusion, monitors and documents observations.
11. Accompanies and supervises patient off of unit to campus health care appointments.

Professional/Leadership

1. Advocates for patients, families, and their significant others and the community.
2. Participates in organizational, departmental and shared leadership activities; supports department and unit goals in daily behavior.
3. Demonstrates accountability for job performance by:
   1. Seeking opportunities to enhance job skills and knowledge
   2. Maintaining conditions of employment (BLS and other required unit-specific requirements).

Organizational

1. Adheres to the Hospital's Code of Conduct.
2. Treats patients/families, staff, students and visitors with respect and dignity.
3. Adheres to Nursing’s time, overtime and attendance policies
4. Completes electronic learning modules and related programs as assigned by the Hospital Learning by established date.
5. Complies with University Health Services TB and fit-testing requirements.
6. Utilizes established communication channels/chain of command to escalate or resolve unit problems.
7. Identifies recurring clinical practice and/or related unit problems and participates in problem solving and resolution.

Education/Research

1. Collaborates with other staff to identify, promote and provide positive learning experiences for staff and students.
2. Serves as a resource to other staff and students.
3. Accesses UI Health intranet for relevant communication and to review and interpret changes in policy, procedure and other information pertinent to practice.
4. Supports nursing and multidisciplinary research efforts conducted on the unit and in the Hospital.
5. Takes responsibility for continued professional growth/development by identification of learning needs and initiates strategies to meet such needs

(A) Baccalaureate degree with 18 semester hours in one or more of the behavioral
 sciences (such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, political
 science, etc.)
 or
 (B) three years of direct patient care experience in a psychiatric or mental health care
 setting
 or
 (C) any combination of college course work, with emphasis on one or more of the
 behavioral sciences, and direct patient care experience in a psychiatric or mental
 Health care setting which totals 3 years