Mental Health Tech

Mental Health Technician

Summary: Provide training and oversight for adults who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Monitor and document client behavior and activities; assist and participate with educational, social and recreational activities; provide a safe and therapeutic environment; interact in a warm and compassionate manner; de-escalate volatile situations, and promote client achievement of treatment plan goals and objectives. All job duties are performed in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Position Type: Full Time or Part Time, Non-Exempt

Essential Functions:
• Responsible for monitoring behavior and activities of clients in the Supervised Independent Living Facility or Housing program.
• Report any concerns regarding the health, safety, or well-being of the clients to the appropriate authority.
• Utilize approved behavior modification techniques to help clients learn desirable behavior; provides positive reinforcement and support to clients.
• Provide clients with training or assistance with daily living skills.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of the client's individual treatment plan; support client goals and encourage and assist the client in achieving these goals.
• Process admission and discharge of clients; introduce client to the facility or housing program; explain all rules, policies and procedures, and program orientation.
• Complete required program documentation; complete reports as required (daily, weekly, monthly, etc). Document client activities, behavior patterns, changes in behavior patterns, and reactions to medications daily.
• Collect and log clients' currency and valuables upon request by client.
• Supervise clients with self-administered medications.
• Conduct security/safety checks; monitor visitors/clients for contraband.
• Perform general cleaning responsibilities such as laundry, mopping, garbage removal, cleaning showers and restrooms, vacuuming, dusting and sanitizing all hard surfaces.
• May be required to transport clients as needed.
• Performs general office duties; answering telephones, making copies, filing, typing and assisting with inventory of supplies/food shipments.
• Responsible for obtaining 40 hours of in service training per fiscal year.
• Assist in planning, organizing and supervising group outings/special functions.
• Communicates with other staff members to provide reports that are verbal as well as written in the daily communication binder about significant events that happen on that shift, which includes but is not limited to medication changes, medication deliveries, fasting lab reminders, hospitalizations, incident reports, new move ins and move outs, and other significant information that the next shift should be aware of.
• Responsible for the accountability of residents at SIL facility or Housing Program on that particular shift (ex. if a client does not complete medication observation in the morning or at noon, please attempt to make contact with the client).

Competencies:

1. Communication Proficiency

2. Accountability for Others

3. Balanced Decision Making

4. Leading Others

5. Flexibility

6. Initiative

7. Analysis of Data

8. Problem Management

Supervisory Responsibility: No

Required Education and Experience: High school diploma or GED preferred. Experience working with adults with mental illness is desirable. Some knowledge of the human services field and application of basic client care skills are also required. Applicant must possess the ability to defuse potentially harmful situations, remain calm in an emergency, implement behavior management techniques, communicate effectively in person and in writing, and accurately prepare and maintain written documentation. Able to perform all housekeeping duties as required. Operate standard office equipment and household appliances.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit, use hands, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee can sometimes be exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Signatures: This job description has been approved by all levels of management:

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana, Inc. considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.