Mental Health Security Clerk
Position Summary
Our Mental Health Security Clerk maintains a safe and secure environment for patients, visitor, employees, and physicians. Provides a visible presence on the unit while serving as the primary communication and information “hub”, answering telephones, directing unit traffic, entering patient orders into the electronic medical record in a timely manner with a high degree of accuracy. Intervenes in difficult and sometimes physical situations to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, employees and physicians.
Highlights & Benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Memorial Childcare
- Mental Health Services
- Growth Opportunities
- Continuing Education
- Local and National Discounts
- Pet Insurance
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Flexible Spending Account
- 401(k)
- Life Insurance and Voluntary Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program and Colleague Wellness
- Adoption Assistance
Required Skills
- Safety and Security
- Controls the entry and exit of colleagues and visitors to the unit.
- Checks in visitors and ensures all visitor belongings are correctly stored before allowing access to the unit.
- Unit Surveillance and monitoring cameras and alerting colleagues of potential safety issues.
- Provides a visible deterrence to prohibited activities.
- Reports any conditions that might constitute a security or safety risk to all staff.
- Assists in maintaining safe environment and reports unsafe conditions.
- Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, intercedes in disputes between individuals using verbal de-escalation techniques and skills, to diffuse potentially violent patient or visitor situations.
- Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, physically manages combative, violent persons who endanger staff, physicians, patients or visitors.
- Performs searches of persons, patient belongs, and rooms to ensure a safe environment.
- Communication
- Promptly and courteously greets others in a friendly manner.
- Receives and directs others by using AIDET and Greet & Feet.
- Within scope of job description, responds to questions and provides direction.
- Facilitates telephone, verbal, written, and electronic communication with nursing staff, physicians, patients, and visitors promptly, accurately, and professionally.
- Consistently uses the Physician Profile to ascertain the correct method/number to page physicians.
- Information Processing
- Prioritizes stat orders and immediate needs.
- Processes orders accurately.
- Accurately inputs data into the electronic medical record and maintains accurate paper records for those items that are not computerized.
- Refers patient/visitor concerns to nursing and/or customer service staff.
- Refers news media to nursing or public relations staff.
- Medical Records Maintenance
- Assembles admission chart packs.
- Puts patient identifier on all chart forms.
- Scans patient documents to Medical Records.
- Gathers and copies appropriate paperwork from the RN for patient transfers to other units and facilities.
- Manages large amounts of sensitive and confidential information concerning patient and family information in medical documents.
- Service Requisitions
- In partnership with the Nursing Material Specialists, assures adequate supplies are available.
- Reviews receipts of new supplies and equipment upon arrival; validates accuracy and places supplies in assigned location.
- Sends service requisitions to interdisciplinary departments.
- Facilitates maintenance of equipment with Biomed or appropriate department.
- Unit Operations
- Completes basic patient care tasks as directed by registered nurse.
- Serves/monitors/collects food trays/utensils.
- Responds to call lights and bed/chair alarms.
- Provides 1:1 direct and constant patient observation including the completion of observation rounds as delegated.
- Assists in completing witness undress for patient safety upon admission
- Assists in completing environment and room safety checks.
- Expedites timely admission, discharge, and transfer of patients to facilitate patient flow.
- Participates in QI activities; maintaining logs, statistical records, and data collection.
- Acts as a preceptor as needed.
- Handles medications delivered from pharmacy directly or through the pneumatic tube system. Relocates these medications, in original containers, to designated secure storage locations or delivers directly to appropriate licensed staff.
- Assists with stocking unit supply stations.
- Accountability
- Complies with established policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
- Follows the chain of command.
- Consistently utilizes time and resources effectively and efficiently.
- Maintains cleanliness of unit, service area, and equipment.
- Cooperates with all members of the healthcare team.
- Enthusiastically supports and participates in planned changes.
- Accepts responsibility for accurate and timely completion of tasks as assigned.
- Performs other related work as required or requested.
Required Experience
Education:
High school graduate or GED required; associates or bachelor’s degree preferred.
Licensure/Certification/Registry:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification within 30 days of job placement is required.
Successful completion of Safety First Training within 30 days of hire and annually thereafter required.
Experience:
- Minimum of two years’ security officer, law enforcement or military experience is required.
- One-year secretarial or comparable clerical experience strongly preferred.
- Prefer minimum of one-year MH Security experience.
Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
· Ability to remain calm and collected in stressful situation, utilizing rational thinking and decision-making is required.
· Ability to manage and prioritize several incidents/tasks simultaneously is required.
· Skill in effectively communicating, verbally and in writing, with a diverse range of people including the proper handling of emotional situations and needs is required.
· Skill in applying de-escalation techniques is required.
· Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality is required.
· Ability to physically perform with prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, lifting patients, and restraining patients as necessary is required.
· Must possess excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
· Proficient with personal computers and software (including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
· Demonstrates initiative, self-direction, motivation, and a proven ability to work successfully with a variety of people and disciplines.
· Knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.