Milieu Counselor Float

Location: CHA Cambridge Hospital 

Work Days: 7:00am-3:30pm and 3:00pm-11:30pm, Every Other Weekend and Ro  

Category: Human and Social Services  

Department: Inpatient Psych Float Pool CH  

Job Type: PT20Plus HPW  

Work Shift: Day / Evening 

Hours/Week: 32.00 

Union: Yes 

Union Name: CH Laborers 380

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

Cahill 4 is an adult Psychiatric locked unit. There are 18 beds available on this inpatient unit of which we see various types of psychiatric illnesses such as Schizophrenia bi-polar and affective disorders, Personality disorders, Duel diagnosis, Adjustment disorder, Psychosis, and use DBT/CBT Group Therapy. According to DMH we have a lower than average restraint rate, use sensory approach to de-escalating patients, and all staff are educated in trauma informed care with provides each patient with individualized care.

Summary:

• To provide quality patient care according to The Cambridge Hospital standards of nursing practice and the role expectations of the Psychiatric Emergency Service: to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and document that care and to develop professionally.
• The Milieu Counselor is a member of the multidisciplinary team who, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse is responsible for a safe and structured service as well as attending to the individual needs of patients in crisis on an inpatient psychiatric setting.

Responsibilities:

• Performs specific nursing care under the supervision of a staff nurse psychiatric evaluation of cases assigned.
• Understands and can perform a mental status exam.
• Can take vital signs as directed.
• Under the training of the nursing staff can correctly perform vital signs and report finding to the DOC; learns norms.
• Routinely takes signs when report of drug use, withdrawal, c/o dizziness.
• Documents assessment and completes all record keeping on patients or other data regarding the operation of the service.
• Information follows protocol posted
• Information is legible.
• Information is recorded prior to leaving that shift.
• Log book is complete.
• Utilizes the communication book as necessary.
• Consultation with medical emergency room on patients with psychiatric problems.
• Responds as quickly as possible or explains how long it will be before consultation is available.
• Makes an effort to see all consultations regardless of complaint.
• Consultation with the DOC regarding all cases.
• Calls 100% of the time on each case and makes an effort to do so before patient leaves.
• Reports assessment in an open manner to encourage collaboration.
• Let’s concerns re: assessment and dispositions be know clearly and insists on DOC seeing patient when uncertain.
• Makes appropriate referrals for clients to be available resources for follow-up care.
• Knows the mental health system.
• Makes the necessary follow-up calls when referring out of the system.
• Triages and screens clients from other areas and refers them to the correct facility.
• Knows catchment area resource materials.
• Refers clients in a firm but non-hostile manner.
• Provides telephone coverage while on duty. Refers all non-emergent calls to the appropriate department.
• Answers by identifying location; can set limits with those calls which are not emergent without being rude.
• Is knowledgeable of insurance contracts and facilitates follow-up or admission accordingly.
• Obtains appropriate insurance approval and documents.
• Completes and faxes appropriate information to agencies.
• Reports off at the end of each shift both verbally and written.
• Provides a comprehensive review of the shift.
• Documents on report pad all cases pending or scheduled for follow-up stating proposed plans.
• Data is legible and organized.
• Receives report and follows through on work that needs to be completed from the previous shift.
• Makes necessary calls and checks them off as completed so that there’s no confusion as to what needs to be done.
• May provide liaison to departments/resources which the service interfaces.
• Learns the importance of building and continuing relationships with others and attends assigned meetings.
• Records the content of the meetings and shares the information with others.
• Informs the nurse manager of the attendance and frequency of the meeting.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational activities.
• Follows Department of Nursing policy.
• Attends Psychiatric EW conference when possible.
• Actively participates in assigned supervision and applies this knowledge to improvement of work performance.
• Participates in case presentations during morning rounds or other patient care conferences.
• Participates in unit monitoring & unit safety.
• Knowledge of hospital fire and safety procedures.
• Trained in CPR; recertified annually.
• Trained and able to act appropriately in restraint procedure: familiar with application of restraints, familiar with procedures and guidelines of the DMH regulations for restraint of patients.
• Able to recognize warning signs indicative of increase assertiveness and/or suicidal impulses and reports to the nurse.
• Demonstrates proper use of limit setting and behavioral intervention strategies.
• Complies with the guidelines of The Cambridge Hospital.
• Reviews and follows hospital policy manual and Department of Nursing Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Maintains standards of ethical and confidential patient care.
• Delivers care according to the Nursing Department Standards of Care.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Other information:
High school diploma required; B.A, B.S., or M.A. preferred or equivalent years human service experience.
CERTIFICATIONS: Certification (BLS)
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: Human Services experience preferred

 
In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.