Position Summary:

Under the direction and supervision of a licensed professional, the Mental Health Technician provides direct, quality, cost-effective patient care to patients (age 18 to geriatric) and their families on Inpatient Behavioral Medicine units.

Qualifications

• Must meet the Community Behavioral Health (CBH) minimum guidelines
• BA degree in human services OR HS diploma / GED equivalent and 2 years experience (paid or unpaid) providing direct care in a human services field required. College credits in human services strongly preferred.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Previous Psychiatric or Addictions experience preferred.
• Successful and satisfactory completion of: the Behavioral Wellness Center orientation as well as a Behavioral / Mental Health Technician curriculum within 1 year of hire and required certifications including but not limited to: HIV, STD, CPI – all required for continued employment.
• Meets or exceed performance standard within the probationary period.
• Bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish) a plus.

Responsibility and Accountability

• Plans and provides direct patient care under the direction and supervision of a Licensed Nurse.
• Provides the Licensed Nurse with patient information to assist in the daily evaluation of patient care.
• Observe and reports changes in patient’s behavior, and physical or mental state to the Licensed Nurse.
• Assists the Licensed Nurse in the implementation of the nursing process to patient care.
• Document individual contacts / clients progress toward treatment modules/goals.
• Provides and maintains a clean, safe environment for hospital personnel, patients, families, and visitors.
• Perform and assists with patient Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
• Develop, lead and participate in focused group activities and teachings for patients and families.
• Engage clients throughout the day.
• Participates in de-escalation of agitated patients, calls emergency codes, and participates as necessary.
• Responsible for responding to Codes (ie. Code 777, Rapid Response, etc).
• Responsible for documenting client’s behavior pre/postcode.
• Utilizes Electronic Health Records (EHR) system to document patient information.
• Performs regularly scheduled patient and environmental rounds of assigned units.
• Responsible for assure patients’ rights and acts to prevent, identify, and report abuse.
• May be required to escort participants on medical, legal, and recreational activities.
• Assists in the orientation of new MHTs.
• Develop a rapport with co-workers that is conducive to effective teamwork and patient care.
• Takes responsibility for personal and educational growth and development.
• Participates in Performance Improvement and in nursing and hospital-wide Quality Assurance activities.
• Implements the mission, value, and philosophy of nursing statements on his/her unit in Behavior Medicine (in the context of the Nursing Department and the Girard Medical Center missions, vision statements, values, philosophies, ethics, code of conduct, and goals.)
• Supports and implements hospital and nursing service policies and procedures when providing patient care to patients and their families.
• Performs all duties in a cost-efficient manner by the judicious use of supplies and safeguarding of equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must have knowledge of methods to administer therapeutic care to psychiatric, mental health and/or substance abuse patients. Must be computer literate and possess strong de-escalation skills.

Must be able to: provide compassionate care; work well as part of a team; maintain composure in uncertain situations; demonstrate leadership qualities; maintain confidentiality; safely manage aggressive clients, verbally communicate to de-escalate a crisis situation and utilize effective communication skills in interacting with patients, families, visitors and coworkers. Ability to restrain patients per policy required.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

EOE/M/F/D/V