State of Washington Classified Job Specification
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Definition
Positions in this job classification function as the primary assistant to a Registered Nurse 4 or Chief Nursing Officer in nursing administration.
Positions in this class perform a wide scope of complex administrative duties and responsibilities that require specialized knowledge of hospital, ward and facility operations in the management of multiple wards and programs, and exercise independent judgment and have delegated decision-making authority.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Duties vary depending on work location, but incumbents in this class work independently and under minimal supervision. They use their extensive knowledge of mental health operations to:
• Maintain the master schedule for assigned work area;
• Track employee movements and position changes;
• Analyze data to determine needs for training and work with nursing disciplines to develop/provide that training;
• Coordinate patient appointments and transportation for appointments outside the hospital;
• Assist in the maintenance of confidential employee files;
• Perform single-bed certifications for the hospital;
• Work with nursing leadership to update nursing standards, hospital nursing policies/procedures.
• Maintain the master schedule for assigned work area;
• Track employee movements and position changes;
• Analyze data to determine needs for training and work with nursing disciplines to develop/provide that training;
• Coordinate patient appointments and transportation for appointments outside the hospital;
• Assist in the maintenance of confidential employee files;
• Perform single-bed certifications for the hospital;
• Work with nursing leadership to update nursing standards, hospital nursing policies/procedures.
Typical Work
Delegated responsibility to processes and tracks employee time and leave reporting for employees on multiple wards/living units using electronic leave management system and may provide analysis of ward/living unit scheduling and staffing to provide recommendation to RN 4 about approval of leave requests;
Responsible for the yearly annual leave submittal process for direct care staff for assigned wards/living units on behalf of the RN 4 or Chief Nursing Officer;
Responsible to maintain daily electronic records on employee movements and assignments on their work unit and throughout the hospital or facility as the basis for knowing daily staffing for each unit;
Responsible for maintaining the master schedule and up-to-date vacancy lists for their assigned wards/living units;
Liaison with human resources on employee changes;
Primary contact with employees on training/licensing issues impacting their work;
Acts as resource for staff on issues related to patient care, equipment needs, ward/living unit processes/procedures, HR information;
Trains employees on subject matter for which the MHPS has the required certification/knowledge;
Provides administrative support to the Joint Nursing Staffing Committee;
Processes single bed certifications for assigned area;
Tracks employee accident reports;
Schedules on-call employees in order to fulfill operational needs;
Provides patient care the ward/living unit as needed in the event of staffing shortage;
Covers for other Mental Health Program Specialists in their absence;
Performs other related duties as required.
Responsible for the yearly annual leave submittal process for direct care staff for assigned wards/living units on behalf of the RN 4 or Chief Nursing Officer;
Responsible to maintain daily electronic records on employee movements and assignments on their work unit and throughout the hospital or facility as the basis for knowing daily staffing for each unit;
Responsible for maintaining the master schedule and up-to-date vacancy lists for their assigned wards/living units;
Liaison with human resources on employee changes;
Primary contact with employees on training/licensing issues impacting their work;
Acts as resource for staff on issues related to patient care, equipment needs, ward/living unit processes/procedures, HR information;
Trains employees on subject matter for which the MHPS has the required certification/knowledge;
Provides administrative support to the Joint Nursing Staffing Committee;
Processes single bed certifications for assigned area;
Tracks employee accident reports;
Schedules on-call employees in order to fulfill operational needs;
Provides patient care the ward/living unit as needed in the event of staffing shortage;
Covers for other Mental Health Program Specialists in their absence;
Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: computer skills; ordering/tracking processes for inventory and position/employee changes; basic employee leave practices and collective bargaining agreements; hospital or facility procedures and processes; de-escalation processes; blood-borne pathogen protocols; CPR; non-violent crisis intervention; seclusion/restraint procedures; patient rights; trauma-informed care principles; preventing patient abuse/neglect.
Ability to: organize, document and maintain electronic records; learn computer programs; maintain employee confidentiality; take initiative; employ time management skills; schedule and coordinate meetings with various hospital/facility offices; pay attention to detail; interact therapeutically with patients and professionally and respectfully with co-workers at all times, take direction from Registered Nurses and other staff; exhibit resilience and be willing to interact with and listen to verbally and physically aggressive patients; observe multiple patients and teammates the entire work shift to ensure the work environment remains safe; work closely with members of the ward team to effectively and creatively move patients towards their treatment goals; be flexible in moving quickly from one task to another; have compassion and concern for patients and treat patients and staff with respect, kindness and consideration.
Ability to: organize, document and maintain electronic records; learn computer programs; maintain employee confidentiality; take initiative; employ time management skills; schedule and coordinate meetings with various hospital/facility offices; pay attention to detail; interact therapeutically with patients and professionally and respectfully with co-workers at all times, take direction from Registered Nurses and other staff; exhibit resilience and be willing to interact with and listen to verbally and physically aggressive patients; observe multiple patients and teammates the entire work shift to ensure the work environment remains safe; work closely with members of the ward team to effectively and creatively move patients towards their treatment goals; be flexible in moving quickly from one task to another; have compassion and concern for patients and treat patients and staff with respect, kindness and consideration.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
Two years of experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse 4 and possession of a current Washington State license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
OR
Two years of experience as a Mental Health Technician 3, Forensic Care Associate, or Psychiatric Security Nurse and current, unincumbered Washington state nursing assistant registration.
OR
Three years of experience as an Attendant Counselor 3 and current, unincumbered Washington state nursing assistant registration.
OR
Two years of experience as a Mental Health Technician 3, Forensic Care Associate, or Psychiatric Security Nurse and current, unincumbered Washington state nursing assistant registration.
OR
Three years of experience as an Attendant Counselor 3 and current, unincumbered Washington state nursing assistant registration.
Class Specification History
New class: 5-28-86.
Revised definition: 8-15-86.
Class code change (formerly 3887): 11-14-86.
Revised definition: 3-14-89.
Revised minimum qualifications: 9-9-94.
Revised minimum qualifications: 4-21-00.
New class code: (formerly 56740) effective July 1, 2007.
08-14-2008 General revision in desirable qualifications and typical work, reflecting current job titles.
Salary adjustment and revisions to the definition: adopted June 30, 2017, effective July 1, 2017.
Revised class specification; revised definition, typical work, knowledge and abilities and desired qualifications; salary adjustment. Adopted June 22, 2023 effective July 1, 2023.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Revised definition: 8-15-86.
Class code change (formerly 3887): 11-14-86.
Revised definition: 3-14-89.
Revised minimum qualifications: 9-9-94.
Revised minimum qualifications: 4-21-00.
New class code: (formerly 56740) effective July 1, 2007.
08-14-2008 General revision in desirable qualifications and typical work, reflecting current job titles.
Salary adjustment and revisions to the definition: adopted June 30, 2017, effective July 1, 2017.
Revised class specification; revised definition, typical work, knowledge and abilities and desired qualifications; salary adjustment. Adopted June 22, 2023 effective July 1, 2023.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
