Mental Health Technician (MHT)

Mental Health Technician (MHT)

SUN Behavioral Houston - Houston, TX 77054

Overview

Position Type Full Time Job Shift Days Education Level High School/GED Travel Percentage None Category Health Care

Description

Position Summary:

Provides direct and indirect patient care under the direction of a RN or LPN/LVN. Provides for the personal care and comfort of psychiatric patients. Provides a safe, clean environment. Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.

Position Responsibilities:

• Performs and records patient vital signs, intake and output; notifies RN of any changes.
• Continuously observes patients' behavior, mental status and activities, notifies RN of any changes or unusual occurrences.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify behaviors that require intervention.
• Escorts patients when leaving the unit for activities, meals, visitation, and scheduled tests.
• Able to perform patient safety checks at scheduled times, documents appropriately.
• Able to assist with restraint (physical hold) of a patient, placing a patient in seclusion under the direction of the RN and utilizing CPI techniques and adherence to policy and procedure.
• Demonstrates the ability to set limits for patients and other de-escalation techniques.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Answers the telephone in a professional manner, directs calls appropriately, takes messages.
• Operates equipment safely and correctly
• Orients patients to the unit, takes admission vital signs and records on the Nursing Assessment Form and/or the EHR.
• Participates in treatment team meetings. Communicates appropriately and clearly to the Nurse Manager, RNs therapists and physicians.
• Perform 15-minute observation rounds and documents appropriately.
• Assists in the orientation of new staff members.
• Assists with therapeutic educational groups under the direction of the RN or Director of Clinical Services.
• Responsible for one-on-one observation and constant visual observation for high-risk patients.
• Responsible for assisting patients needing additional care related to medical needs.
• Monitors patient's compliance with pre- and post- procedure instructions, including ECT instructions, under the supervision of the RN.
• Provides general nursing care, i.e., transferring patients, assisting with ADLs, meals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Required: High school diploma or GED. CPR and hospital-selected de-escalation technique certification.
• Preferred: Some college classes. Certified Nursing Assistant certification
• Maintains education and development appropriate for position.
• May substitute experience for education

Experience

• Required: Previous experience in a healthcare setting
• Preferred: One (1) year of experience as a behavioral health technician
• May substitute education for experience