Mental Health Technician - PRN

Mental Health Technician

FTE: PRN

Weekend Obligation: Yes

Req: 1830

About Us:

The Lindner Center of Hope is a nonprofit, comprehensive mental health center and global leader offering state-of-the-science diagnosis and treatment of the most pervasive mental illnesses of our time.

• One of the first centers designed as a fully integrated system of care to address deficiencies in mental health care as identified by the Institute of Medicine.
• Innovative residential assessment, inpatient and outpatient programs in partnership with UC Health serving more than 54,660 patients from around the world.
• A leader in research and collaborations that are advancing the field and positioning Cincinnati as a national leader in mental health care.

We embrace the many talents, skills, and experiences our employees bring to Lindner Center of Hope. Everyone is encouraged to use their unique gifts to express ideas, make meaningful contributions to our programs and genuine connections with patients and family, as well as strengthen donor, referrer and community relations.

At Lindner Center of Hope, you'll have the opportunity for a consistently rewarding career, working for an organization that shares your desire and ability to make a demonstrable difference in the lives of people living with mental illness.

Position Summary

This position provides direct care to patients as delegated by and under the supervision of the Registered Nurse (RN). Delivers assigned, delegated, direct care consistent with the individualized treatment plan. Performs non-patient care activities as assigned. Maintains a safe & therapeutic treatment environment. As assigned, fulfills the Health Unit Coordinator role on the patient care units.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Obtains clinical measurements.

• Vital signs
• Height and weight
• Intake and output
• EKG strips

1. Collects specimens, applies labels, and places in appropriate storage for laboratory pick up.
2. Assists patients with activities of daily living.

• Hygiene and toileting
• Bathing and dressing
• Meals and menu selection, including companion meals
• Ambulation and transfer

1. Responds to patient requests timely and efficiently

• Grooming and other safety items
• Room access

1. Collects data related to patient care activities.

• Gathers objective data & observation about the patient
• Differentiates between normal & abnormal observations
• Reports changes in patient status or abnormal clinical findings to the RN

1. Delivers delegated aspects of direct care

• Provides care based on the established individualized treatment plan
• Involves patient & others in the care process
• Conducts therapeutic activities with groups or individual patients
• Engages patients in leisure activities

1. Monitors patient & environmental safety continuously

• Maintains a calm, healing environment

• Makes patient safety rounds
• Reviews belongings for safety, secures dangerous items

1. Documents in the electronic medical record (EMR)

• Completes patient shift summary

• Reflects individual patient's progress or lack of progress towards treatment goals

• Articulates interventions utilized and responses to the interventions
• Notes are factual and concise
• Obtains RN co-signature for EMR notes

1. Effectively responds to escalating behavior

• Observes patients for signs of escalating behavior
• Immediately reports observations of changes in behavior or escalation to RN
• Provides care to the patient in seclusion or restraint

1. Facilitates customer satisfaction

• Identifies issues of customer service
• Acts to resolve customer service issues within the appropriate scope of practice
• Refers complex & unresolved issues to the charge RN or manager

1. Participates in emergency actions when indicated

• Identifies emergency situations
• Assists in obtaining needed supplies and resources
• Responds to the emergency situation with immediate attention in a controlled manner

1. Participates in the continuous improvement of the organization through the quality improvement process

• Completes monitors for assigned indicators
• Reports any actual or potential situation that impacts patient safety
• Implements actions that result in continuous improvement of quality & compliance
• Participates in the organization wide quality measures

13. Performs clerical duties of Health Unit Coordinator

• Maintains a presence at the patient care unit workstation
  • Transmits messages accurately.
  • Ensures presence of diagnostic results in the record.
  • Provides timely and accurate transcription of physician orders.
  • Schedules appointments for diagnostic testing, alternative care, or patient transport.
  • Completes requisitions and labels
  • Ensures presence of digital photo of each patient for system identification.
  • Assess specific reports or information as requested
  • Obtains back up forms for paper record if needed.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required with one (1) year experience with direct patient care in a healthcare setting. - OR -

• High School Diploma or GED required and enrolled as an active student in a relevant degree program of nursing, psychology, social work or other related field required.
• CPR Certification - must be obtained after hired.

Desired Qualifications:

• Enrolled as an active student in an accredited RN program with successful completion of at least one hospital rotation.
• Ability to enthusiastically follow and model the Lindner Center of HOPE mission, vision and values.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-specific and developmentally appropriate care for the spectrum of populations admitted to LCOH.

Physical Requirements

To effectively care for patients, employees must be able to push, pull and lift up to 50 lbs on a regular basis, and be able to stand or walk about 90% of a work shift. Must be able to see, talk, and hear coworkers, patients, and others.

All candidates extended conditional offer of employment will be subject to a WebCheck (BCI & FBI Fingerprinting). Fingerprints will be submitted to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The reports from these agencies will include criminal record information. Lindner Center of Hope will follow the requirements for employment based on the State of Ohio Administrative Code 5122-30-31, and any other regulatory requirements regarding criminal background checks. Lindner Center of Hope also reserves the right to obtain Consumer Reports and/or Investigative Consumer Reports as defined in the Federal Fair Credit Reporting ACT (FCRA).

Lindner Center of Hope is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.