Mental Health Safety Specialist I - Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders

The Mental Health Safety Specialist I (MHSS) is responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment for patients experiencing emotional disturbance. Also assists with the specialized patient care needs of each individual patient using principles of adult development and knowledge of psychopathology. This MHSS position is located on our Center for Autism and Developmental Disorders (CADD) unit.

The CADD unit supports adults diagnosed with neuro-developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders like Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder with significant challenging behaviors like physical aggression and self-injurious behaviors. All staff working on the CADD unit are required to wear bite sleeves. Additional PPE, like caps or gloves, is also required to be worn as written in the patient’s behavior plan.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Care & Treatment Support

• Follow Behavioral Health Center philosophy, policies, and standards of care.
• Support individualized, family-centered treatment as an active Treatment Team member.
• Assist with assessment, care planning, and implementation of treatment goals.

Patient Engagement & Daily Support

• Build therapeutic relationships that support emotional growth and independence.
• Facilitate educational, social, and recreational group activities.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, hygiene, meals, and personal organization.

Safety, Crisis Response & Milieu Management

• Maintain unit safety through regular environmental and milieu monitoring.
• Respond to crises using least-restrictive, age-appropriate interventions.
• Participate in restraints when necessary, and monitor for early intervention needs.
• Conduct and support safety drills, training, and incident reviews.

Documentation & Unit Operations

• Document patient interactions, safety concerns, and interventions accurately.
• Support admissions, hearings, visitation monitoring, and compliance with safety protocols.
• Participate in crisis and restraint debriefings to reinforce learning and reduce risk.

• Associate Degree with 2 years work experience within MH/MR service

   OR

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field such as Social Work, Psychology or Counseling from an accredited College or University required.

• Other fields of study may be considered with coursework of at least 12 credits in Human Services.

• May in the course of their job duties be in rooms where medications are stored.

• No contact with medications is allowed.

• Requirements to advance to Mental Health Safety Specialist II: Actively participates in 1 hospital-based safety related committee/council and shares updates in department meetings.

• Participates as a trainer and/or actor in CCM, ACT, or other crisis related training(s) and provides (min. 1) unit-based crisis related in-services.

• Leadership letter of recommendation.

ATTENTION: IF YOU HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE, A COPY OF YOUR OFFICIAL BACHELOR’S DEGREE LEVEL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE ATTACHED FOR CONSIDERATION.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire
 

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran