DSHS WSH Forensic Care Associate 3

Benefits, Questions, Description

• Provide mentoring, orientating to the ward, and training on administrative tasks to new staff assigned to the wards.
• Provide direct patient care and security to patients in the Forensic Services Unit under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN).
• Provide mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients with routine physical, emotional, psychological or rehabilitative care.
• De-escalate patients using therapeutic interventions.
• Communicates information to the RN regarding changes of condition and clinical information.
• Assist with patient admissions by orienting them to the ward/living unit.
• Assist RN by taking vitals, height/weight, and inventory of personal items and clothing.
• If designated as the assigned fire marshal on the ward/living unit, perform fire drills on the day shift per the assigned hospital/facility schedule.
• Perform safety inspections of the ward/living unit.
• Utilize information received from shift reports during work shifts to ensure patients and staff stay safe.

• Current unencumbered Washington State Nursing Assistant Registration, Nursing Assistant Certified certification, or a current unencumbered Washington State Certified Medical Assistant Certification.
• Three years experience* in a psychiatric or mental health setting.
• High School diploma or GED.
• College-level coursework in one of the social sciences may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Or, Licensure as a Practical Nurse may be substituted for the required experience providing that the training included experience in psychiatric nursing.

• Benefits
• Paid leave
• Staff training and other compensation benefits

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work.