Job Description

Brook Lane - MHA - Electroconvulsive Therapy and Inpatient
Full Time - 72 hrs. biweekly

Schedule:

36 hrs.: 600am-1200pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday in Electroconvulsive Therapy Unit
36 hrs. Inpatient Units

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment for serious mental health conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, and some forms of psychosis—especially when other treatments haven’t been effective. Patients are given short-acting anesthesia and a muscle relaxant, and a small, carefully monitored electrical stimulus is delivered to the brain to produce a brief therapeutic seizure. This process helps improve brain function and can significantly reduce severe symptoms. The procedure is safe, closely monitored, and evidence-based, and most patients wake up within minutes and recover in a supervised area before returning to their unit or going home the same day.

Mental Health Associates assist patients in ECT before, during, and after treatment.

Before ECT Treatment

• Escort patients to ECT
• Verify patient identity and treatment schedule
• Take and document vital signs
• Ensure NPO status (nothing by mouth) is followed

During the ECT Process

• Assisting with safe patient positioning and transfers
• Helping manage patient flow in pre-op and recovery areas
• Observing patients for anxiety, agitation, or confusion
• Supporting nurses, psychiatrists, and anesthesia staff as needed

After ECT (Recovery Phase)

• Monitor patients for post-anesthesia confusion, disorientation, or agitation
• Recheck and document vital signs
• Ensure patient safety (fall precautions)
• Escort patients back to inpatient units or discharge areas

INPATIENT UNITS:

The Mental Health Associate provides direct care and therapeutic support to patients of all ages in a psychiatric setting. This role involves observing and documenting patient behavior, maintaining a safe and structured environment, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to promote patient well-being. The associate plays a key role in fostering a therapeutic milieu and supporting program activities.

MHA's are cross trained in the Adult and Child/ Adolescent Units.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain confidentiality in all patient interactions and documentation

• Provide direct patient care with attention to safety, comfort, and therapeutic engagement

• Observe and report patient behavior to clinical staff; document in progress notes

• Respond appropriately to patient needs and behavioral interventions

• Build cooperative relationships with staff, patients, and families

• Demonstrate leadership and empathy in daily interactions

• Implement structured programming using the Theme of the Day concept

• Support and maintain a therapeutic environment on psychiatric units

• Assist in training and orienting new employees

• Modify interventions to be age-appropriate for each patient and family situation

• Enforce unit rules and organizational policies assertively and respectfully

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Requirements and Preferred Qualifications:

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree in a social science preferred

• Prior mental health experience preferred

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions using sound judgment

• Legally licensed to operate hospital vehicles

• Basic to moderate computer skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills

• Current BLS (CPR) certification in compliance with policy

• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record preferred (no moving violations in the past three years)

• Annual submission of certified driving record required on date of birth

• Signed acknowledgment of “Attestation A” of Meritus Vehicle Management Use and Control policy

Caring for Our Team

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and professional growth. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, & short and long-term disability coverage. Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one, and we also provide a 401k plan, an education assistance program, and an employee assistance program. Additionally, employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential, adding even more value to your role.

Happy to Help

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.