Mental Health Tech

POSITION SUMMARY:

• The Mental Health Technician performs routine patient care duties and selected non-professional services under the direct supervision of the Charge Nurse

REPORTS TO: Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Graduate required. • Attains minimum of two years of college in areas of psychology, social work, mental health, and other related health fields (preferred). • At least one year of previous experience in a psychiatric setting (preferred). • Previous CPI training (preferred)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties set forth below describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a Mental Health Technician. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a Mental Health Technician since those duties include all tasks requested by the supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN) to meet the needs of the Center.

• Follows instructions given by all nursing personnel and outlined in policies and procedures.

• Identifies medical problems and reports to the supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN).

• Identifies alterations in sensory perceptual images, recognizing the differences between illusions, delusions and hallucinations; Is consistently aware of safety issues regarding patients and takes action, when indicated, to prevent patient harm; Communicates these issues to the supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN).

• Identifies alterations in mood, recognizing potential for self-harm or other high-risk behaviors; communicates these issues to the supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN).

• Provides care to patients in a manner that considers safety, patients’ rights, comfort and the therapeutic environment.

• Performs patient checks every 15 minutes, as ordered by the physician, and more often if required.

• Assists with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients in a timely manner and completes necessary documentation. • Observes patient behavior and reports this information to the appropriate nursing staff; documents observation following policy of AIR charting.

• Assists in applying protective devices under the direct supervision of the supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN) and completes proper documentation. MHT must have completed Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training and otherwise re-review training materials on a yearly basis.

• Utilizes the Individual Treatment Plan and any specific treatment plans in determining interventions with patients; keeps treatment plans updated; reviews treatment plan with patient.

• Remains in patient areas whenever possible to assist patients and visitors. Notifies supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN) prior to leaving unit and otherwise adjusts lunch and break times (if any) to meet Center needs.

• Sets limits in a therapeutic and consistent manner on a patient’s behavior with the assistance of the supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN).within program and age-specific guidelines.

• Assists patients with activities of daily living, encouraging independent behavior with appropriate interventions on a daily basis.

• Identifies verbal and non-verbal cues for potential aggressive behavior and applies de-escalation techniques to situation.

• Intervenes to decrease the panic of disturbed patients under the direction of the supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN); Uses the necessary intervention to de-escalate situations involving disturbed patients.

• Participates in staff development programs; Keeps supervising Nurse (i.e. Charge Nurse, Staff Nurse or LPN) appraised of any difficulties or necessary changes required in program or staff development.