Job Description

HOURLY RANGE: $24.97 - $31.85

NY HELPS:

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means NO EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED, but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE A CIVIL SERVICE TEST.

Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State.

While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves providing direct nursing care to psychiatric patients in the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) and in-patient behavioral health unit at the Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC). The incumbent provides routine care to patients in accordance with the policies and regulations of local, state and federal authorities, as well as accepted standards of practice. The work is performed under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. Supervision is not a function of this position. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Provides personal hygiene including, but not limited to showers, bed baths, shaving, nail care, hair care, oral care and denture care;
• Cares for personal need items such as eyeglasses, hearing aide, canes, wheelchairs and other adaptive devices;
• Assists patients in meeting nutritional needs including passing and collecting diet trays and nourishments, setting up trays and adaptive feeding equipment and feeding or assisting as necessary;
• Monitors, documents and reports intake and output (I&O);
• Performs specimen collection;
• Obtains vital signs and notifies supervisor of changes;
• Leads patient activity group under the direct supervision of a RN;
• Transfers and transports patients utilizing appropriate equipment;
• Performs range of motion (ROM) for both upper and lower extremities; assists with ambulation;
• Identifies changes in condition of skin, cognitive functioning or behavior and notifies supervisor;
• Responds appropriately to life threatening emergencies;
• Monitors stock supplies and notifies supervisor to order replacements;
• Maintains a clean unit environment.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of current methods of mental health care; good knowledge of standard of care techniques including Level I and Level III Observation Standard of Care; good knowledge of human relations; working knowledge of patient rights under mental hygiene laws and criminal procedure law; ability to identify changes in patient condition; ability to maintain a safe, calm and therapeutic environment; ability to locate, operate and maintain various hospital equipment; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse constituency; initiative; emotional maturity; flexibility; capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and either

A.) two (2) years of experience in in-patient or outpatient behavioral health care, OR

B.) two years of experience as a certified nursing assistant, OR

C.) an equivalent combination of minimum qualifications as defined by the limits of A.) and B.) above.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from an ECMCC approved provider within sixty (60) days of appointment and maintenance throughout duration of appointment; and
• Completion of New York State Office of Mental Health-Bureau of Education and Workforce Development (BEWD) certified safety program within three (3) months of appointment and participation in annual re-training; and
• Section 424-a of the Social Services Law requires the local social services district to inquire whether the applicant is the subject of an indicated child abuse or maltreatment report on file with the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. All potential employees for this position will be requested to sign the necessary clearance form prior to being advised that they will be hired. Refusal to sign will be cause for an automatic non-selection.

NOTE: Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.