Mental Health Technician | North Tower 62 | Full-Time (36hrs.) | Variable

Mental Health Technician

Join UF Health and be part of a team committed to exceptional patient care, innovation, and community impact. We are currently seeking a passionate individual who is eager to make a difference in a dynamic healthcare environment.

The Mental Health Technician functions as an assistant to the nurse in Inpatient Psychiatry and under the direct supervision of the R.N. Supports maintenance of a therapeutic and safe environment. Maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients in support of treatment goals. Assists with the delivery of direct patient care. Monitors and intervenes in environment to provide a safe, therapeutic milieu. The Mental Health Technician provides nursing support to achieve the organization's mission of excellent patient care and nursing's vision of setting a new standard of excellence in autonomous and accountable nursing practice committed to patient advocacy and innovative patient care in a climate of trust and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Monitors and observes patients under the direction of a registered nurse according to unit/department/patient population specific standards by:
• Performing scheduled observations and monitoring activities in a timely manner, including hourly rounding and walking bedside rounds with each caregiver hand-off
• Recognizing patient safety risks, communicating risks to the RN immediately, and maintaining risk precautions
• Recognizing abnormal findings and changes in patient condition, reporting to RN immediately, and documenting that the RN was notified
• Contributes to continuity of care under the direction of a registered nurse by:
• Communicating with RN/LPN at beginning of shift, throughout shift, and end of shift for report
• Performing activities of daily living based on the needs of the patients: feeding, bathing, toileting, ambulating
• Implementing patient care activities as assigned, according to practice standards, and in a timely manner
• Addressing therapeutic milieu needs of program by monitoring patient behavior, organization of physical structure and encouraging patient involvement in therapeutic interventions
• Adjusting care based on patients educational level, age, developmental needs, values, cultural needs
• Identifying and reporting patient needs that require practical or professional nursing intervention to patient safety and well-being (i.e. pain medication)
• Reinforcing patient and family education
• Responding appropriately in emergency situations
• Responding to patient alarms in a timely manner
• Documenting patient care accurately and in a timely manner
• Cooperating with the interdisciplinary team to meet patient needs and facilitate positive outcomes
• Communicating information clearly and in a professional manner
• Demonstrates current knowledge and expertise to safely perform simple and complex patient lifts, patient transfers, patient ambulation and other mobility needs by:
• Demonstrating competency in proper utilization and maintenance of lifting and mobility devices
• Demonstrating competency in lifting, ambulating, transferring and/or repositioning of patients with treatment equipment (i.e. tubes/lines)
• Assisting in building a 'culture of safety' to support clinicians in providing safe patient care and safe working environment
• Facilitates daily operations/flow of work of assigned area by:
• Organizing and reprioritizing work based on patients needs, available resources, and unit requirements
• Answering call bells promptly, and prioritizing patient needs into daily routine
• Demonstrating flexibility with patient assignments
• Preparing bed space, equipment and supplies prior to admission
• Ensuring that patients are ready for discharge, and that the bed spaces are prepared for cleaning
• Ensuring a safe, clean, and uncluttered environment of care
• Greeting visitors and admissions quickly and courteously
• Participates in the achievement of unit/department fiscal goals by:
• Utilizing equipment and supplies appropriately to meet patient care needs
• Stocking supplies
• Contributing to the capture of patient charges and revenue generation
• Operating and troubleshooting equipment as indicated for patient care needs and removing and reporting damaged/broken equipment
• Demonstrates professional development and accountability by:
• Complying with work rules (e.g. dress code, wearing identification badge & IR badge, time and attendance, break time, eating/drinking in patient care areas, personal use of phones/computers, etc.);
• Supporting compliance with hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accrediting agency requirements;
• Taking responsibility for obtaining department/hospital information and incorporating changes into practice;
• Maintaining competence of professional/clinical knowledge base through continuing education;
• Completing mandatory inservicing requirements, competency updates and meaningful self-appraisals;
• Reviewing unit/department communication to maintain current working knowledge of job responsibilities;
• Participating in the training of new staff.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with high school diploma or equivalent; or
• Nursing student currently enrolled in an approved program for preparation of either professional nurses or licensed practical nurses upon successful completion of the didactic and clinical portion of a nursing fundamental course work; or
• Junior and Senior High School Students attending the Institute of Health Professions who are CNAs and have a recommendation from the instructor.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Background screening as required by law (Reference: PM 06-208)

Licensure/Certification/Registration: CNA if Applicable

Motor Vehicle Operator Designation: Employees in this position: Will not operate vehicles for an assigned business purpose

This position requires a Level 2 background screening. Applicants may review background screening information at