Mental Health Technician / Nursing Secretary

The Mental Health Technician Nurse Secretary helps provide therapeutic services to psychiatric patients under Trauma Informed Care principles in accordance with the Registered Nurse's directions and the established treatment plan. Working under general supervision for routine situations, this role serves psychiatric patients across the life span through various treatment programs, such as educational groups and 1:1 interaction.

Essential Job Function:

• Observes and reports changes in patient symptoms and behaviors to the Registered Nurse in order to make necessary changes to the care plan.
• Helps communicate effectively and graciously with patients and families to keep them involved in the care process, including through the facilitation of patient educational groups.
• Performs safety checks and environmental rounds, documenting procedures and updating the Registered Nurse with progress.
• Checks supply stocks in order to meet patient and nursing needs and budgetary constraints in line with the department goals.
• Supports the provision of patient care as delegated by the Registered Nurse, including measuring vital signs and capillary blood glucose, preparing EKGs, transporting patients, and assisting with ambulation elimination needs.
• Responds to verbal and nonverbal communication from psychiatric patients in order to communicate empathetically and meet needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Required: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: Successful completion of Nursing Assistant Certificate and/or Associate's degree in human service field preferred.

Experience:

• Preferred: A minimum of one year of experience in behavioral health field or health care field.

Licensure/Certification/Listing:

• Required: BLS (CPR)-American Red Cross or AHA Healthcare Provider; STARR (verbal and physical de-escalation) to be successfully completed within the first 30 days of hire date.
• Preferred: Listed as a Nursing Aide I with the North Carolina Division of Facilities Services; Certification through American Association of Psychiatric Technician NCPT Certification Level I-II.