Mental Health Technician - Willowbrooke (Days)

Mental Health Technician

$1,000 Sign on Bonus - External Hires Only

To assist with day to day management of the patient(s) on an inpatient psychiatric unit under the direction of a Registered Nurse, and ultimately a Nurse Manager. The mental health tech will assist with activities of daily living for patients unable to perform these activities. The mental health tech will be an integral part of the patient's treatment and assist with group activities which may include co-facilitation of group activities under the direction of the therapist nursing staff. The mental health tech will assist with the collection of vital signs, patient information, and accuchecks. He/she is responsible for the 15-minute safety checks and assists in the de-escalation of patients on the unit.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Licenses & Certifications

• Healthcare Provider (CPR)
• Safe Crisis Intervention for Patient and Professionals

Qualifications

• Ability to deal with staff and the public maturely.
• Ability to handle crises calmly and maturely.
• Ability to handle significant amounts of confidential patient information.
• Bachelor's Degree and no job-related experience or High School Diploma (or GED) and two or more years experience.
• Employee will obtain initial CPR and SCIPP certification within 90 days of employment.
• Willingness to follow the leadership of senior staff.

Area of Responsibilities

Communication Team Work Conduct: Communicates treatment issues and medication concerns to the Staff Nurse and/or physician and therapist daily. Participates in Treatment Team with or through other staff persons such as the unit Therapist or Nursing Staff. Attends staff meetings and trainings per policy and manager requirements. The employee must:

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate and work effectively with others to promote safe, efficient care exhibiting the Tanner Standards of Behavior in building relationships with patients, supervisors, coworkers, and staff in other departments.
• Demonstrates conduct in keeping with the Tanner Healthcare Systems Ethical Standards and policy for Private Medical Record, Communicate with patients, visitors and families in a manner which promotes patient satisfaction. Works constantly with confidential information and must constantly make decisions concerning true emotional status of patients, i.e. ability to harm self and/or others.
• Involvement in daily interactions with medical staff, including, but limited to: psychiatric nurses, social services, occupational therapist, patients, family members, and outside agencies for patient care.

Documentation and Management of the Electronic Medical Record Completes appropriate documentation - progress notes, changes in patients behavior, dietary intake, 15 minute safety checks, assessments, treatment plans, weekly updates, group notes, assist nurse and therapist with data collection during admission process - within specified time limits. Documents calls and related information within the appropriate section of the patient record. Knowledgeable in navigation of patient record, able to assist in data collection portion of chart audits as assigned. Cross trained in Unit Secretary duties of building and breaking down patient charts, assigning rooms, and keeping supplies plentiful on patient units.

Participation in the General Unit Operation: Responsibly utilizes and manages resources in a conscientious and fiscally responsible manner. Participates in the cleaning and storage of equipment in compliance with Infection Prevention standards. Assist in maintaining a clean and neat physical environment on the unit. Assist with cleaning and maintaining the following locations, but not limited to: storage areas, nourishment rooms, day rooms, group rooms, kitchens, and re-stocking supplies as needed. Seeks and identifies opportunities to improve care, patient flow or utilization of resources. Participates in process improvement initiatives for the department and/or facility as directed. Participates in the orientation and supervision of new employees and students

Provision of Care: Responsible for the daily coordination of patient care duties under the direct supervision of a Nurse and Therapist: Assist with activities of daily living for patients as an integral part of the patient's treatment, assisting with admissions and discharges, performing safety checks per physician orders, assisting with obtaining patient's vital signs Accucheck checks and reporting to the nurses, and assisting with de-escalation of patients on the unit. MHT II will supervise patients during program hours (monitoring hallways, day areas, cafeteria, group rooms, patient rooms, gym, time outs, reflection areas, courtyard, seclusions, and restraints) Establishes and maintains positive relationships with patients, physicians, allied health professionals, and all referral sources. Facilitation and Co-facilitation of group sessions (including the following, but not limited to: Psychoeducation, Recreation therapy, Community and Wrap-Up groups), assisting in development and implementation of the unit schedule and programming for identified patient population. Provides a therapeutic environment with patient at all times to include application of de-escalation techniques and limit setting prior to, during and after a period of Time-out, Reflection, Seclusion and/or Restraint. Performs therapeutic holds and assists with seclusion restraints as needed. Attends debriefings on patients as needed Effectively understands and operates equipment appropriate to the departments scope of care and patient population such as Computers on Wheels, a Standing Scale, Vital Sign Machine, and an Accucheck Monitor. Facilitation of Specimen Collection as per Physicians Order and under the supervision of an RN. Aides the Nursing staff in monitoring patients and performing mouth checks during medication administration times. Knowledgeable and effectively participates in special procedures and skills appropriate to the departments scope of service and patient population

Standards Policy & Procedure: Stays informed of organization's programs and services. Supports organization's customer service philosophy. Responsible for completion of required facility and departmental education under the direction of the manager. Complies with other applicable department and/or organization standards and policies. Complies with facility safety, infection control, and security programs. Responsible for knowledge of policies & procedures and Standards related to the provision of safe medical care: including TJC, Infection Prevention, Core Measures, EMTALA, CMS, Specialty Organizations (ENA, AWON, AACN, etc.). Responsible for completion of required annual facility and departmental education such as but not limited to Skills Competencies, SCIPP, Health Stream and BLS

Age Appropriate Care: Demonstrates the behavior, skills and knowledge to provide age appropriate care for all populations served to include the: ability to communicate, identify developmental level, physiologic norms, signs and symptoms of neglect, and emotional response to stress. The nursing unit serves patients ranging in age from school age to geriatric.

Compliance Statement

Employee performs within the prescribed limits of Tanner Health System's Ethics and Compliance program. Is responsible to detect, observe, and report compliance variances to their immediate supervisor, the Compliance Officer, or the Hotline.