GENERAL DEFINITION OF CLASS: This is an advanced paraprofessional class in the direct patient care hierarchy. Work involves providing direct care and treatment to severely and chronically mentally disabled patients in a secure forensic treatment setting. It involves promoting the therapeutic milieu while exercising custody and supervision of forensic patients consistent with nursing care and treatment plans; performs related work in a forensic setting as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the supervision of a registered nurse whom assignments are received in outline form; specific instructions are given with each new or unusual assignment; work is subject to review and inspection in process and upon completion for effectiveness and conformance with standards of care in both a hospital and a specifically forensic setting, including hospital policies, procedures and instructions.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises patients.
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES & CAPACITIES: A working knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques for the custody, care and treatment of the psychiatric patient, including those with mental and developmental disabilities, in a forensic setting and the ability to apply such knowledge (such knowledge including basic first aid, housekeeping, patient personal needs and activities of daily living, minor treatments and infection control); the ability to safeguard and supervise patients and to maintain order, control and discipline in a therapeutic context and in a therapeutic fashion; the ability to converse and interact with patients and staff in a professional, positive and therapeutic manner; the ability to observe attitudes and the mental and physical and other reactions of patients and relate them orally to supervisors or other members of the treatment team and in writing in the medical record; the ability to observe clinical details about the mental and physical condition of patients, including behavioral observations as part of a behavioral plan or observational behavioral protocol, and to relate them orally and in writing; a working knowledge of the accepted housekeeping procedures of the hospital facility and the ability to apply such knowledge; the ability to cooperate and work with other employees (clinical and non-clinical with a variety of expertise); the ability to accept direction from clinical professionals and to follow oral and written instructions; a familiarity with the terms and definitions that make up clinical syndromes and the ability to describe the symptoms of mental illness particularly in the forensic setting; and related knowledge, skills, abilities and capacities.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Such as may have been gained enough: possession of an Associates Degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Behavioral Science, ability to read, write and speak English.
Experience: Such as may have been gained through: one year of employment in a private or public hospital or clinical program involving participation in the care, custody, treatment and rehabilitation of severely and chronically mentally disabled persons.
Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience in the treatment of the severely mentally ill persons.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The following conditions of employment must be met at the time of employment: Must be physically and psychologically qualified to perform duties of the class of position and to display professional attitudes and conduct throughout the period of employment; shall be considered medically and psychologically fit for the position after examination by qualified personnel designated by the department; such qualification shall require a vision test of at least 20/100 Snellen in the better eye, without glasses, corrected to at least 20/70 Snellen in one eye and 20/30 Snellen in the other eye with the added requirement that defective vision must not be due to active or progressive organic disease; including a hearing test in which each ear must test at least 15/15 by the Whispering Voice Test; at the time of employment must be registered as a Nursing Assistant by the Rhode Island Department of Health as per the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island, and must remain registered as such as a condition of employment; must at all times by physically qualified to perform the assigned duties as evidenced by a physician’s certificate.
Must have current CNA license. Inpatient psychiatric experience preferred
Pre-Employment Requirements for all candidates to receive a position at ESH or RISPH is the proof of immunity against:
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Varicella (Chickenpox),
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap),
Hepatitis B titers,
Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
N-95 Respirator FIT test
Please contact Employee Health Clinic within 2 business days of accepting the position. The Employee Health Office at the Eleanor Slater Hospital is open 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday at:
Cranston Ph: (401) 462-2001 Fax:462-1683
Zambarano Ph: (401) 567-5524 Fax: 567-4003
RISPH Ph: (401) 462-4142