Responsible for providing assistance in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care on the behavioral health units under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Nurse Manager and established standards of practice and institutional policies. Responsible for the delivery of patient care through a multidisciplinary approach.  Patients to be served include primarily adult, but also pediatric, adolescent and geriatric.  The position of Mental Health Worker has been designed to be an active, contributing member of the Adult Behavioral Health Services interdisciplinary treatment team, offering psychiatric treatment and care to. St. Luke’s C.A.R.E. delivery model (Continuity, Accountability, Relationship-based, Evidence-based) reflects a commitment to compassionate, competent care delivered by the interdisciplinary team.  Care is provided through a therapeutic relationship with the patient and family.  A spirit of inquiry is encouraged and supported.  Small tests of change and more formal research efforts are used when the evidence is not clear.  Evidence-driven protocols are utilized to assure reliable and consistent care.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Key Accountabilities

• The associate is aware of hospital and department compliance for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse.  Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of department or hospital administrative staff.
• Purposefully conducts all aspects of the job in an ethical manner in support of the hospital’s commitment to ethical behavior in all areas of personal and professional activity.
• Successfully completes hospital-wide orientation, annual hospital competencies and department/unit specific competencies.
• For the safety of our patients and co-workers, St. Luke’s Hospital requires seasonal and job related vaccinations.  This is reviewed regularly during periodic health assessments.
• Is aware of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of department or hospital administrative staff.
• Purposefully conducts all aspects of the job in an ethical manner in support of the hospital’s commitment to ethical behavior in all areas of personal and professional activity.
• Successfully completes hospital-wide orientation, annual hospital competencies and unit specific competencies.
• Performs patient care functions as required and/or directed.
• Contributes to the patient assessment by collecting, reporting, and recording objective and subjective data in an accurate and timely manner.  Data collection includes:
• Observation about the condition, or change in condition of the patient.
• Signs and symptoms of deviation from normal health status.
• Assist with admission process per RN/charge nurse direction; may include unit tour, safety plan, completing family assessment, assist with patient belongings. 
• Participates in the development and modification of the plan of care by providing data, contributing to the identification of priorities and setting realistic and measurable patient focused outcomes and goals. Assists with the identification of appropriate patient care interventions and formulating realistic strategies, approaches and techniques to utilize in the treatment delivery.  Provides health teaching and counseling.
• Participates in revising and updating patient treatment plans to reflect changes in priority needs and additional information.  Assists in integrating transfer/discharge planning needs into an overall plan of care.  Will actively participate in patient staffing as an IDT member.  If a Mental Health Worker revises the care plan other than interventions he/she will collaborate with the primary nurse or the Patient Care Coordinator who will formulate the problem and goal.  Reinforces, with patient and family, realistic expected outcomes established in the plan of care.
• Provides treatment and care to patients and families consistent with institutional policies and established standards of care and in collaboration with RN and IDT Team.
• Performs select daily assessment and observation of patients communicating this information to the responsible RN or mental health professional when appropriate.
• Implements the treatment plan by orienting patient/family to environment and treatment plan and performing care and treatment of the patient according to treatment plan, established standards, policies, procedures and unit competencies.
• Partners with the RN and other multidisciplinary team members to achieve patient’s progress towards outcomes identified in the treatment plan.
• Will share in the behavior management of all patients, utilizing a varied repertoire of techniques and approaches.  Consistently utilizes the most positive, least restrictive behavior management techniques which are effective.  This will generally be accomplished with a warm, caring, firm and empathetic approach, utilizing positive techniques.  He/she will be firm, kind and direct when necessary.  Demonstrates familiarity of a variety of behavior management techniques/approaches (e.g., positive reinforcement, redirection, time out, verbal processing, etc.).  Utilize the concepts in the Engagement Model and Trauma-Informed Care.
• Implements measures to promote a safe environment for the patient and family.             
• Performs as a team member under the direction of a RN.
• Consults with RN and/or multidisciplinary team members as necessary.
• Obtains instruction and supervision as necessary when implementing new or unfamiliar techniques or practices.
• Reports unsafe practice or practice conditions to RN/Unit Manager.
• Accepts individual responsibility and accountability for his/her own actions, judgments, competency, clinical performance and professional growth.
• Conducts his/her practice by respecting the dignity and rights of patients.
• Protects the patient’s right to privacy by protecting confidential information unless obligated to disclose in a court of law and under proper authorization or legal compulsion.
• Contributes to the formulation, interpretation, implementation, and evaluation of the objectives and policies related to nursing practice within the employment setting.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills with other health care team members.
• Verbal communication is clear and precise.
• Written communication is legible, if handwritten, and done in a timely manner.
• Computer documentation is done in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.
• Utilizes therapeutic interpersonal interventions in treatment (e.g., active listening, feedback, empathy, validation, normalizing, redirecting, focusing, crisis intervention).
• Provides educational opportunities to patients, families and other health care associates under the direction of a registered nurse.
• Integrates patient/family education concepts in furnishing necessary information and the support during hospitalization.  A focus on health and preventative health maintenance should be incorporated into the teaching plan.
• Assist with discharge planning, coordinating and aftercare and reviews the patient safety plan with patient/family or facility at discharge.
• Will utilize one-to-one and group modalities in provision of treatment/care of patients.
• Provides skill development and teaching to patients and families within scope of practice (e.g., behavior management, etc).
• Utilizes sound educational techniques, such as assessment of current knowledge and abilities, developing mutual learning objectives, implementing teaching and evaluating effectiveness.
• Demonstrates flexibility and self-direction in meeting patient and unit needs by responding as a team player.
• Assumes responsibly for own professional growth and development and assists in the education of others.
• Continually maintains and strives to enhance personal technical and clinical competence in all job related duties.
• Utilizes, shares and disseminates information from inservices, readings and workshops.
• Assists in the orientation of new employees as requested by immediate supervisor/manager.
• Effectively communicates and coordinates; is responsive and professional in endeavors with other community agencies and representatives.
• Participates in mandatory education and unit staff meetings, per established guidelines.
• Initiates actions and follows direction of immediate supervisor/manager designed to prevent, or remediate potential/actual safety hazards to self or others.
• Maintains current Behavior Management and BCLS certifications. Complies with policies for  restraint/seclusion per service guidelines.
• Provides/facilitates crisis intervention in anticipated and/or acute emergency situations according to established emergency guidelines and under the direction of an RN or IOP Program Manager.
• Implements precautions (e.g., suicide, sexual, etc.) according to policy.
• Communicates safety problems and potential risks to manager.
• Follows unit procedures for rounds and hall monitoring.
• Maintains safe, clean patient environment.
• Participates, as requested, in performance improvement activities and reporting.
• Use the Engagement Model to create a safe unit milieu and collaboration with patients/families.
• Encouraged to make and support improvement in unit and hospital practices through participation in shared governance and performance improvement activities at the unit and hospital-wide level.
• Complies with established infection control and risk management policies and procedures.
• Is knowledgeable regarding managed care implications – precertifications and utilization review procedures.
• Provides consultation regarding Behavioral Health issues as needed to other hospital staff/departments.
• Performs other duties as deemed necessary to meet the hospital’s mission and vision, to give the healthcare we would like our loved ones to receive

Key Accountability

Development & Patient Education

• Continues professional development and involvement in professional activities that enhance nursing practice by sharing knowledge through networking and research.
• Assess and chooses teaching strategies appropriate to the patient’s and their families’ age specific needs, culture, gender, readiness to learn and level of comprehension.
• Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education.
• Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately

• Must possess a minimum of a Bachelors preferably in a human service or science field.
• Clinical background should include experience in a human service organization.
• Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification as outlined per policy or obtain certification within three(3) months from date of hire.
• Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.
• Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English.
• Basic computer knowledge using word processing, spreadsheet, email and web browser.
• Demonstrate skill, organization, and efficiency in performing
• Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.