MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN 1 - UNDERFILL - MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WAIVED

Mental Health Technician

This Mental Health Technician position supports SOUTHERN NEVADA ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (SNAMHS) and is assigned to the Mesquite Behavioral Health Center. Our Agency's mission is to help adults with mental illness improve their quality of life. Incumbents provide professional, positive, and therapeutic direct care to mentally ill adult clients and severe emotionally disturb youth. Incumbents receive training in all duties assigned. Will work directly with a team of clinicians, psychiatric nurse, and other mental health professionals. This position will provide direct consumer care, such as provide psychosocial rehabilitation, teach basic skills, take vital signs, introduce and support community activities to consumers, will observe and document findings in the electronic record system, facilitate individual or group basic skills training sessions under direct supervision of mental health professionals, and transport clients to and from appointments using state vehicle. As condition for continued employment Mental Health Technicians are required to comply with NRS 433.279 and become a Certified Mental Health Technician 3 within 2 years from date of hire, through completion of required coursework. This certification is a progression requirement (5 credits from Tech 1 to Tech 2 and 5 credits from Tech 2 to Tech 3), but it is also the primary clinical training program for technicians. Once certified, the technician must maintain certification by completing 20 hours of continuing education units every two years following the date on which initial certification was issued. This position requires completion of respirator fit testing, completion of Certification in Conflict Prevention and Response Training and CPR certification. Mental Health Technicians supplement the work of mental health professionals, health specialists, and nursing staff including participation in the formulation and implementation of treatment plans for clients in a mental health facility. Employees work in environments such as psychiatric hospitals, treatment centers, psychological evaluation service units, sexual offender units, rural clinics, and related treatment areas where they may be exposed to verbal and physical assault by clients.

Graduation from high school or equivalent education and one year of general work experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Assist in observing client behavior on an ongoing basis to monitor the effectiveness of treatment plans; assist in documenting progress in client charts; and assist in reporting significant behavioral and/or medical problems to the interdisciplinary team leader, nurses, or other professional clinical staff. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings as assigned; discuss client behavior and provide input and recommendations on changes to the treatment plan in order to optimize client care. Act as a role model for clients by demonstrating appropriate behavior and applying active listening techniques; establish therapeutic interpersonal relationships with assigned clients through one-on-one interactions in order to accomplish treatment plan goals. Receive incoming crisis calls from the public and refer to appropriate professional staff. Protect clients' rights by demonstrating appropriate professional and personal behavior; report observed violations of clients' rights and suspected or known instances of client abuse or neglect consistent with facility and division policies and procedures and federal and State statutes and guidelines; provide client, caregiver and/or family instruction regarding the clients' individual treatment structure to include ongoing assessment; facilitate and protect clients during community events. Collect and maintain data to produce reports and maintain accurate records which may be used for billing purposes; complete special reports such as incident and accident reports; enter client data into the computer to include demographics, admission, unit, and discharge information; assemble and audit client charts within the requirements of the facility; and maintain confidentiality in compliance with established laws, regulations, and agency policy. Assist in orienting and training staff to the facility and introduce appropriate policies and procedures. Implement responses to safety and security issues according to established procedures. Transport clients to and from scheduled appointments, school, and outings using State vehicles and public transportation; supervise clients on outings; accompany/transport clients to discharge locations. Assist professional staff with re-integrating clients into the family and/or community; assist and monitor clients in job seeking skills to include interviewing techniques. Facilitate or co-facilitate individual and group sessions under direct supervision of a mental health professional as assigned; proctor tests and programs required by the school district as assigned. Assist clients and their families with accessing rehabilitative and support services such as applying for financial support, Medicaid, and vocational rehabilitation as assigned. Provide basic living and vocational skills training as assigned. Complete coursework and training as assigned. In addition, the following duties apply to positions in 24-hour/7-day a week settings : Assist in orienting new clients to the facility and answer questions as appropriate regarding daily activities, schedules and programs; and assist in ordering unit supplies and clothing for clients. Perform basic health-related duties such as taking blood pressure and temperature, and measuring height and weight in order to support the nursing staff; ensure clients take prescribed medications; collect samples such as urine in the appropriate manner and send to the laboratory to test for illegal substances; and record information in client charts. Instruct and oversee clients in developing daily living skills including bathing, brushing hair and teeth, dressing, making beds, doing laundry, and shopping in order to establish and/or maintain clients in a clean and safe environment following prescribed health standards; observe and report health and safety hazards to the unit supervisor. Assist clients with basic budgeting and recordkeeping; maintain current inventory of personal items and clothing; secure valuable items in locked storage; return personal property to client upon discharge. Supervise clients during meals to ensure appropriate behavior. Perform basic housekeeping and environmental operational procedures such as cleaning the refrigerator, doing laundry and general building maintenance duties such as changing light bulbs and pest control. Perform security and safety duties such as periodic monitoring and testing of locks, keys and windows; check doors and other means of entry or exit; admit, monitor and document names of visitors and service providers to the facility; conduct scheduled fire drills and emergency evacuations as assigned; conduct searches of clients suspected of having contraband by following agency policies and procedures; perform periodic room searches for contraband; count and verify client population at periodic times throughout the shift and take appropriate action to determine client whereabouts. Implement verbal intervention for clients who are escalating and, as necessary, restrain or utilize appropriate behavioral and environmental controls for clients who are a threat to themselves or others and may be hostile, combative, aggressive or assaultive; follow facility procedures regarding techniques and duration of restriction; notify appropriate personnel of action taken and document as required; conduct suicide prevention watches by checking on clients at specified intervals. Maintain current knowledge and ensure compliance with applicable federal and State health and safety laws and regulations, as well as policies concerning infection control and related issues; handle and dispose of bodily waste, cleaning agents and other potentially hazardous materials; ensure facilities are clean and sanitary and report building maintenance needs. Incumbents receive training in performing duties described above. Work is closely reviewed and monitored, and extensive on the job training is provided to ensure standards of care are met. Agency policy and procedures are available for training. This is the entry level in this series, and progression may occur when minimum qualifications are met, the incumbent is performing satisfactorily, and with the recommendation of the appointing authority. Perform related duties as assigned.

General knowledge of: English grammar and punctuation sufficient to record information in client charts; basic arithmetic. Ability to: learn the typical signs and symptoms of mental illnesses; learn behavior modification and assaultive behavior intervention techniques; read, comprehend and implement agency policies and procedures specific to client care and treatment; learn to establish rapport and develop positive interpersonal relationships with clients; learn the difference between a personal and therapeutic relationship; accompany clients to individual and group therapy sessions and various activities; communicate orally in a clear, concise and effective manner; understand and follow oral and written directions; initiate and follow through on assignments using established protocols; demonstrate patience and flexibility in the workplace; work as part of a team; safely drive a motor vehicle using defensive driving techniques; operate general office equipment including computers which may include entering data and maintaining routine records.