Mental Health Associate - ECT and Inpatient Day Shift

Overview

Brook Lane - MHA - Electroconvulsive Therapy and Inpatient

Full Time - 72 hrs biweekly

Schedule:

36 hrs 600am-1200pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday in Electroconvulsive Therapy Unit; 36 hrs Inpatient Units.

ECT is a medical treatment for serious mental health conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, and some forms of psychosis—especially when other treatments haven’t been effective. Patients are given short-acting anesthesia and a muscle relaxant, and a small, carefully monitored electrical stimulus is delivered to the brain to produce a brief therapeutic seizure. This process helps improve brain function and can significantly reduce severe symptoms.

The procedure is safe, closely monitored, and evidence-based, and most patients wake up within minutes and recover in a supervised area before returning to their unit or going home the same day.

Mental Health Associates assist patients in ECT before, during, and after treatment.

• Escort patients to ECT
• Verify patient identity and treatment schedule
• Take and document vital signs
• Ensure NPO status (nothing by mouth) is followed

• Assisting with safe patient positioning and transfers
• Helping manage patient flow in pre-op and recovery areas
• Observing patients for anxiety, agitation, or confusion
• Supporting nurses, psychiatrists, and anesthesia staff as needed

• Monitor patients for post-anesthesia confusion, disorientation, or agitation
• Recheck and document vital signs
• Ensure patient safety (fall precautions)
• Escort patients back to inpatient units or discharge areas

Position Summary: The Mental Health Associate provides direct care and therapeutic support to patients of all ages in a psychiatric setting. This role involves observing and documenting patient behavior, maintaining a safe and structured environment, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to promote patient well-being. The associate plays a key role in fostering a therapeutic milieu and supporting program activities. MHA's are cross trained in the Adult and Child/ Adolescent Units.

• Maintain confidentiality in all patient interactions and documentation
• Provide direct patient care with attention to safety, comfort, and therapeutic engagement
• Observe and report patient behavior to clinical staff; document in progress notes
• Respond appropriately to patient needs and behavioral interventions
• Build cooperative relationships with staff, patients, and families
• Demonstrate leadership and empathy in daily interactions
• Implement structured programming using the Theme of the Day concept
• Support and maintain a therapeutic environment on psychiatric units
• Assist in training and orienting new employees
• Modify interventions to be age-appropriate for each patient and family situation
• Enforce unit rules and organizational policies assertively and respectfully
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree in a social science preferred
• Prior mental health experience preferred
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions using sound judgment
• Legally licensed to operate hospital vehicles
• Basic to moderate computer skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Current BLS (CPR) certification in compliance with policy
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record preferred (no moving violations in the past three years)
• Annual submission of certified driving record required on date of birth
• Signed acknowledgment of “Attestation A” of Meritus Vehicle Management Use and Control policy

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and professional growth. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, and short and long-term disability coverage. Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one, and we also provide a 401k plan, an education assistance program, and an employee assistance program.

Additionally, employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential, adding even more value to your role.

At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.