Mental Health Associate - ECT and Inpatient - Full time - Day Shift

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 

Electroconvulsive Therapy (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.

Before ECT Treatment

• Escort patients to ECT


• Verify patient identity and treatment schedule


• Take and document vital signs


• Ensure NPO status (nothing by mouth) is followed

During the ECT Process

• 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

After ECT (Recovery Phase)

• 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

INPATIENT UNITS: 

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.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

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  Maintain confidentiality in all patient interactions and documentation

  
  


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  Provide direct patient care with attention to safety, comfort, and therapeutic engagement

  
  


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  Observe and report patient behavior to clinical staff; document in progress notes

  
  


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  Respond appropriately to patient needs and behavioral interventions

  
  


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  Build cooperative relationships with staff, patients, and families

  
  


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  Demonstrate leadership and empathy in daily interactions

  
  


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  Implement structured programming using the Theme of the Day concept

  
  


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  Support and maintain a therapeutic environment on psychiatric units

  
  


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  Assist in training and orienting new employees

  
  


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  Modify interventions to be age-appropriate for each patient and family situation

  
  


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  Enforce unit rules and organizational policies assertively and respectfully

  
  


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  Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

  
  

Requirements and Preferred Qualifications:

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  High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree in a social science preferred

  
  


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  Prior mental health experience preferred

  
  


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  Ability to follow written and oral instructions using sound judgment

  
  


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  Legally licensed to operate hospital vehicles

  
  


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  Basic to moderate computer skills

  
  


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  Effective verbal and written communication skills

  
  


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  Current BLS (CPR) certification in compliance with policy

  
  


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  Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record preferred (no moving violations in the past three years)

  
  


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  Annual submission of certified driving record required on date of birth

  
  


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  Signed acknowledgment of “Attestation A” of Meritus Vehicle Management Use and Control policy

  
  

Caring for Our Team

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, & 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.

Happy to Help

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.