Mental Health Technician

Mental Health Technician

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for providing direct and indirect non-professional nursing care or outreach services in a clinic, hospital, institution or home setting under nursing or medical supervision. This includes performing duties such as taking vital signs, obtaining lab specimens, charting, escorting patients, assisting with activities of daily living, and ordering and receiving supplies.

The functions performed in this job family will vary by level, unit and organization, but may include the following:

• Performs direct nursing tasks including taking vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living and hygiene needs, and obtaining certain lab specimens.
• Charts observations and activities, reporting pertinent changes in the patient's condition.
• Performs delegated or other specialized functions as educationally prepared.
• Escorts patients to and from various destinations.
• Assists in maintaining and providing a clean, safe environment.
• Orders, receives and stores supplies and performs basic clerical functions.
• Participates in follow-up activities and tracking clients, schedules appointments and performs other related tasks.
• Provides case finding and recruitment of at risk persons for comprehensive health services.

Levels are distinguished based on the complexity of assigned duties, the level of expertise required for completion of work assignments, and the responsibility assigned for the supervision of others. This is the basic level where employees perform routine entry-level work, and receive training in providing care or services to patients or clients. In this role they will primarily assist other patient care staff in performing various functions and work under close supervision.

Education and Experience required at this level is none.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the English language in order to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability is required to record observations and activities, to follow oral and written directions, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Some positions may require the possession of a valid Oklahoma driver's license and/or possession of a Class C (CDL) Commercial Drivers License at the time of appointment. Some agencies may require the translation of health information for non-English speaking clients. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires current certification in good standing by the Oklahoma State Department of Health as a (CNA) Certified Nursing Aide for Level I and II. Level III requires certification as a (CMA-A) Certified Medication Aide Advanced by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections requires current certification in good standing by the Oklahoma State Department of Health as a (CMA) Certified Medication Aide for all levels of the Patient Care Assistant job family. Upon a conditional offer of employment, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services applicants must submit to a physical examination and shall meet the physical examination requirements of occasionally lifting/carrying 50 pounds and able to push and pull a maximum force of 25 pounds. Some agencies may have determined positions in this job family to be safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.

Equal Opportunity Employment. The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.