Provides on-ward security functions over forensic patients or residents of secure-care areas of mental health institution (e.g., provides on-ward surveillance in regards to safety & security; escorts patient s to & from off-ward activities or appointments such a s meals, dentist, laboratory, work d etails, recreational & therape utic activities; investigate s patient misbehavior; observes & monitors patient behavior such as during meals; intervenes during crisis behavior to prevent self-injury or injury to others such as by applying restraints or assisting nursing staff in sub duing or secluding violent patients; monitors patients in seclusion; searches patient cl othing, individual rooms & ward living area for dangerous objects, contraband or unusual room conditions; prevents patient escapes).
Provides direct care, treatment &/or programs to forensic patients & promotes activities, on & off-ward, through participation, interaction &/or involvement with patients (e.g., attends to personal hygiene & grooming needs by monitoring & instructing treatment plan pro grams such as hygiene, clothing care, room maintenance & social dining programs; encourages independent functioning in same; monitors &/or instructs or assists patients in washing clothes; conducts one- to-one sessions with patients to discuss pro blems or concerns; provides adequate clothing; serves meal trays; assists in administering treatments as directed by LPN or RN; prepares patients to attend psychiatric or medical treat ment; bathes, shaves, feeds &/or dresse s patients who are unable to perform same; leads patients in recreational activities)
Assists co-workers in maintaining sanitary living conditions by performing general housekeeping duties (e.g., cleans floors, picks up trash, bags laundry)
Prepares reports &/or documentation regarding patient & unit activities (e.g., documents significant, unusual or appropriate patient behavior in pro gress notes as dictated by individual treatment plans; completes restraint/seclusion, daily ward log, daily shift change & incident rep orts; completes work orders; orders & stocks patient clothing & cleaning supplies; prepares patient movement reports; keeps unit communication logs updated; documents crisis interventions).
Attends in-service training programs; attends & participates in interdisciplinary team meetings; attends weekly staff meetings.
Responds to patient needs in emergency situations (e.g., fires or riots).
Qualifications
Must be CPR Qualified
Knowledge of agency & hospital policies & pro cedures related to forensic client/patient care*; ward security for forensic patients*; client custodial care*; addition & subtraction.
Ability to recognize unusual or threatening conditions & take appropriate action; deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; read short sentences with concrete vocabulary.