* Recognizes and responds to priorities in patient care.

*Takes full accountability for patient safety while on duty.

*Is compliant with precautions such as suicide or elopement and checks patients meticulously for contraband.

*Conduct patient observation checks at Q15, or random intervals, as clinically directed.

*Performs daily vital sign evaluations, or as needed at clinical discretion, for patients.

*Facilitate patient groups, AM check-in group and PM wrap-up group.

*Engage in shift report to exchange vital behavior observation to registered nurses, counselors, and psychiatrists.

*Participate with registered nurse to assist with skin checks, issue unit clothing and hygiene supplies, and provide orientation to the unit for new patient admissions.

* Demonstrates ability to set limits for patients.

* Assists patients with all activities of daily living including personal hygiene needs. Teaches patient proper hygiene.

* Employs appropriate crisis intervention techniques as required, such as verbal de-escalation and physical hands-on approaches such as application of mechanical restraints.

* Acts as patient advocate ensuring patient rights are upheld. Maintains a safe, clean, therapeutic environment at all times.

* Performs searches of patients, their belongings, and the rooms on a routine basis for contraband.

* Facilitates a positive therapeutic environment. Ensures the integrity of the program by providing high quality groups and activities as scheduled. Maintains consistency of milieu structure and predictability.

* Demonstrates responsibility for observation and application of sound therapeutic practices for decision making.

* Contributes to treatment plan with feedback to nurse and program staff to achieve therapeutic interventions.

* Role models and teaches appropriate social skills to patients.

* Supports the treatment plan and provides feedback to nurse and program staff to achieve treatment goals.

* Maintains safety during meal times and during visitation and phone times.

* Establishes trusting, therapeutic, effective relationships with psychotic, demented, and other alternatively functioning patients to meet treatment goals.