Mental Health Technician

Job Description

The Behavioral Health Technician works under the supervision of the Director - Behavioral Health. Under the direction of a RN or other designated authority, assists patients in activities of daily living, measures patients' general physical condition, and leads educational discussions. Observes and reports patients' behavior patterns and intervenes by verbal or physical means as required. The Behavioral Health Technician also maintains the therapeutic milieu (the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops) that is conducive to quality patient care.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and maintains communication and therapeutic relationships with patients ensuring patient dignity and respecting patients' values, operating within ethical standards and treating patients with professional demeanor in accordance with organizational standards.
• Conducts and accurately records patient observation rounds per organizational standards.
• Communicates needs of patients/changes in condition to appropriate caregivers.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) including monitoring patient bathing and providing assistance as necessary. Assists with personal laundry if necessary.
• Performs patient care tasks including taking and recording vital signs, collecting patient specimens, monitoring and documenting food and fluid intake, accompanying patients for medical testing as assigned.
• Intervenes with patients disregarding, violating or ignoring unit safety rules.
• Assists in placing patients in seclusion or restraints per organizational standards
• Checks and documents luggage and personal belongings upon admission and maintains property list.
• Provides educational groups and Community & Goals groups as assigned.
• Monitors the environment for safety including participating in unit and room searches.
• Other duties as assigned

Education

• H.S. Diploma - Required
• UAP education requirements:a. an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) training program in the last three years, orb. a fundamentals of nursing course, orc. a certified nursing assistant program with obtainment of certification (C.N.A.), ord. a graduate of a professional or practical nursing program who did not pass the state licensure examination in the past three years ore. A graduate of a professional or practical nursing program outside the United States and awaiting licensure in this country - Required

Work Experience

• In lieu of a. through e. listed above in the Education section, documented experience as a nurse assistant, emergency medical technician, or surgical technician in the past three years - Required
• Experience as a nurse assistant in an inpatient setting - Preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) - Required within 90 Days
• CPI: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention - Required within 90 Days
• Any other required training by the organization - Required within 90 Days

Travel Requirements

• Must be able to travel between various system facilities and off-site locations as needed. - Required

Qualifications

Skills and Abilities

Essential Technical/Motor Skills

• Must be able to communicate clearly and distinctly for others to understand; communicate effectively via phone and in person; possess fine motor skills to assist those with disabilities; and to write.
• Ability to use computers, printers, and telephone equipment.

Interpersonal Skills

• Must be able to teach, provide accurate and concise information, answer questions, maintain positive relationships with multiple customers, motivate and persuade others.
• Communication skills, group leading skills; mental health observation skills and crisis intervention techniques will all be required of the Behavioral Health Technician on the Behavioral Health Unit.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Must be able to go from patient location to patient location to assess, evaluate and administer care plan; must be able to occasionally turn the average weight of an adult bedridden patient and ambulate patients.
• Must walk, move, kneel, crouch, stoop, reach, stand, push, pull, and lift.
• Must follow good body mechanics.

Essential Mental Abilities

• Critical thinking skills, problem solving skills and negotiating abilities.
• Must be able to interpret patient information; understand rules, regulations and procedures; communicate clearly to small groups; assess and interpret information about patient abilities.

Essential Sensory Requirements

• Appropriate functional vision, hearing acuity and smell.

Exposure to Hazards

• Aggressive patients, blood and body fluids, animals associated with pet therapy.

Other Skills and Abilities