Acuity Specialist

Acuity Specialist Bangor , Maine , United States | Nursing | Full-time Apply by: March 29, 2024 Apply with Linkedin Apply Opening Date:

March 14, 2024 Closing Date:

March 29, 2024 Job Class Code: 4113 Grade: 19 Salary: $21.86/hr - $28.26 /hr This includes a $.60/hour Institutional Stipend and a $2.00/hr salary adjustment but does not include weekend or shift differentials, or overtime, all of which may be possible. Job duties:

This is paraprofessional work in providing emergency response to adults experiencing moderate to acute psychiatric crisis. Work includes assisting the nursing staff by co-leading and monitoring the unit to maintain a safe and therapeutic setting, recommending/implementing actions or interventions to prevent escalation of behaviors or injury to staff/client, and providing technical support to service providers and other mental health workers by overseeing/guiding the application of crisis prevention activities. Responsibilities may include assignment of a small case management workload consisting of clients with higher behavior risks and serving as a team leader in lieu of a nurse.

Work is performed under general supervision. REPRESENTATIVE TASKS: (A position may not be assigned all the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all the duties that may be assigned). Responds to requests for guidance and/or support from service providers and other mental health workers to resolve crisis situations involving adults experiencing moderate or acute psychiatric crisis. Observes and communicates directly with persons experiencing crisis to assess mental status, current level of functioning, and danger to self or others.

Determines and initiates actions or interventions to resolve crisis situations. Evaluates and oversees implementation of crisis prevention activities and plans to comply with applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures. Provides functional supervision and instruction to staff to ensure consistent application of appropriate methods and techniques of crisis stabilization activities.

Leads review meetings to document crisis events, agency actions, and outcomes to gather and analyze data to identify improvements, develop recommendations, determine adequacy of crisis stabilization plans, and to follow-up on results to prevent future occurrences. Participates in client team meetings to facilitate communication between client and treatment team, and to offer recommendations related to effective client treatment. Confers with other multi-disciplinary team members to provide information and make recommendations to develop and update crisis intervention plans and enhance treatment quality and effectiveness.

Monitors and reports on the performance of others related to crisis prevention actions to verify compliance with established protocols, and to identify/determine training needs. Trains and mentors' others in specific crisis stabilization methods and techniques to improve and maintain safety. Proposes changes to policies and procedures to improve the safe and therapeutic treatment of clients.

Observes, identifies, and records physical or psychological changes in clients and notifies appropriate staff, if necessary, to promote proper intervention. Consults daily with others to gain client information, identify behavioral triggers, and make relevant client observations to assist the nurse with strategic planning and communicate relevant information to others to promote a safe and therapeutic setting. Co-leads unit searches to secure contraband and reduce or eliminate threat of escalated client behavior.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: (These are required to successfully perform the work assigned). Knowledge of psychiatric and basic medical terminology. Knowledge of client needs. Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures.

Knowledge of mental illness symptoms, treatments, and effects on functional ability. Knowledge of local mental health community support systems. Knowledge of crisis intervention theory and practice.

Knowledge of interpersonal and family dynamics as they affect the behavior of families of and individuals experiencing mental illness. Knowledge of legal requirements and procedures related to the chain of custody of evidence, evidence recognition, and evidence preservation. Knowledge of search methods and techniques.

Ability to evaluate mental status and assess potential danger to self or others. Ability to obtain, analyze, and interpret client information and to devise/implement short-term treatment plans. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work.

Ability to respond effectively and appropriately in and to crisis situations. Ability to establish, coordinate, and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to model appropriate behavior, attitude, ethics, and morals.

Ability to observe changes in clients' behavior. Ability to acquire and retain all necessary certifications. Ability to work independently.

Ability to identify safety hazards, evaluate threats, and take corrective action in compliance with applicable laws, rules, policies, procedures, and standards. Ability to restrain clients using non-abusive restraint methods. Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to write clearly and effectively. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Four (4) years of education and/or progressively responsible experience which would provide knowledge and abilities in the treatment of individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

Agency information: Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center (DDPC) (https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ddpc) is a 69-bed psychiatric hospital serving the entire State of Maine that provides services for people with severe mental illness. As a member of a statewide community of care givers, DDPC collaborates with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, their community and personal supports, to provide recovery-oriented, respectful, compassionate, and effective psychiatric care and treatment in the least restrictive, safest, and most therapeutic environment we can create.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: For additional information about this position please contact Amy McClare, Recruiter at 207-561-5431 or emailerin.dudarmaine.gov To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter. To request a paper application, please contact Theresa Peppard at theresa.m.peppardmaine.gov.

BENEFITS No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto-"Dirigo" or "I lead"-as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including: · Work-Life Balance

• Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using13 paid holidays,12 days of sick leave, and3 weeks of vacation leaveannually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. · Health Insurance Coverage

• The State of Maine pays85%-100%of employee-only premiums($10,523.28 - $12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. o Health Insurance Premium Credit

• Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements . · Dental Insurance

• The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value). · Retirement Plan

• The State of Maine contributes18.21% of payto the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee. · Gym Membership Reimbursement

• Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. · Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

• Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. · Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness

• The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office . · Living Resources Program

• Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program. · Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child-including non-birthing parents and adoptive parents-receivesix weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act . . · Voluntary Deferred Compensation

• Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. · Learn aboutadditional wellness benefitsfor State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) . There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills.
  
  Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
  
  If you're looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we'd love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.