Mental Health Technician

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Acts as a paraprofessional member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, assisting in the care and treatment of psychiatric and/or chemically dependent patients. Under supervision of the nurse or counselor, provides supportive and behavioral direction as dictated by patient needs and treatment plan.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Observes and monitors patient behavior; communicates patient behavior patterns with other members of the treatment team.

3. *Assists with the coordination of patient activities and interacts with patients in order to maintain a therapeutic milieu; adapts approach to patients as needed and appropriate for age of patients served including children, adolescents and adults.

4. *Escorts and transports patients to designated areas for daily activities; transports patients to off-campus therapeutic activities using hospital vehicle as assigned.

5. *Communicates pertinent patient information to the interdisciplinary treatment team, through written and verbal reports, in order to enhance treatment planning and describe progress.

6. Utilizes Trauma Informed Care principles.

7. *Provides emotional support to patients by listening and conveying appropriate information; answers patient and family questions; refers therapy or medical questions to counselor or RN; supports and provides patient direction in conjunction with the patient's treatment plan.

8. Serves as a role model for patient social interactions, grooming and appropriate behavior; models use of healthy coping skills.

9. Facilitates or co-facilitates patient groups under direction of RN, social worker or counselor.

10. Responds to unit emergencies; assists with management of patients using therapeutic interventions; uses Directed Intervention principles in responding to disruptive patient.

11. *Assists staff nurse in performing patient care as directed including obtaining and recording height and weight and blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respirations.

12. Distributes and assists patients with meals, bathing and other activities of daily living (ADLs). Assists with ambulation, lifting and positioning patients according to policy and procedure. Assists with elimination needs including empting bedpans and urinals and taking appropriate measurements for intake and output.

13. *Provides close observation or one-to-one care, as directed by the RN, to prevent patients from wandering or potential injury.

14. Performs clerical duties including scheduling appointments, receiving incoming phone calls and visitors, directing calls as appropriate, copying and faxing information as directed and maintaining adequate supplies to meet unit needs.

15. Performs tasks related to patient admission, dismissal and transfer including belongings search and labeling of patient belongings, collection of specimens and transportation.

16. Performs special observations (patients at risk for suicide, falls, elopement, and aggression toward self and others) as assigned.

17. Applies and monitors the use of patient restraints according to facility policy.

18. Maintains appropriate therapeutic relationships with patients; maintains confidentiality of patient information.

19. Documents, under the direction of the RN, in the patient medical record attendance at all treatment activities and participation in daily unit routines; descriptions of patient behavior; communications related to patient care received from referral sources, family members, and others; vital signs, I&O; entries as appropriate on the interdisciplinary treatment plan and treatment plan review sheets.

20. Picks up from the Pharmacy and transports medications to the unit, when requested; delivers medication (drugs or biologicals) received on the unit, to the appropriate patient specific medication drawer or medication room.

21. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

22. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

23. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk "*". Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Maintains clinical competency as required for the units of assignment, including but not limited to age-specific competencies relative to patient's growth and development needs and annual skill verification.

2. Knowledge of adult and youth psychosocial development.

3. Knowledge of the disease and treatment of psychiatric, alcoholism and drug dependency conditions as related to assigned unit.

4. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

5. Ability to effectively interact with interdisciplinary treatment team members, and other hospital departmental personnel and community resource representatives.

6. Ability to communicate with patient, families, visitors, nurses, counseling staff, other hospital departments, and other resources.

7. Ability to exercise courtesy and professionalism in receiving callers and visitors.

8. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

9. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

10. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or equivalency required. Must be twenty (20) years of age and at least two (2) years older than the oldest juvenile patient in the facility. Appropriate training for basic interaction care such as supervision, daily living care, and mentoring of patients/residents in the unit/facility required.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required. Bryan Health recognizes American Heart Association (for healthcare professionals), American Red Cross (for healthcare professionals) and the Military Training Network.

Must complete annual criminal background check and central registry check through child and adult protective services.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as medium work requiring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.