Mental Health Technician

Position Summary: The Mental Health Technician provides direct patient care under the supervision of a RN or LPN. Primary responsibilities include the provision of a safe and therapeutic milieu, crisis interventions, and activities of daily living. The Technician will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by the RN or LPN. Accountabilities/Criteria Conducts Patient Observation Safety Rounds as per policy Checks daily assignment sheet for scheduled duties each shift and accepts assignments/reassignment when necessary Observes patient behavior and documents observation according to hospital policies Demonstrates understanding of procedures implemented for patients on special precautions Is active participant in the therapeutic milieu and is engaged with patient population Intervenes with patients during critical incidents such as escalation, elopement and suicidal behavior Organizes and facilitates patient activities and appropriately utilizes group protocols Assists with admission, discharge and transfer procedures Orients new patients to the unit Competent in taking vital signs, weights, heights and obtaining urine specimens Assists patient with ADLs Maintains all required competencies in timely manner Other duties as assigned by the RN or LPN Intervening to verbally de-escalate aggression and to physically intervene using non-violent crisis intervention techniques to assure patient, family and staff safety Visually monitors patient for at-risk behaviors and implements the interdisciplinary plan of care Promotes healthy coping via verbal support, implementation of behavior plan by therapeutic team and management of the environment Redirects patients using appropriate verbal cues according to the plan of care In collaboration with the care team, plans, initiates and/or supervises therapeutic group activities Participates in development of behavior management plan with other team members Participates in safe physical transfers and safe patient ambulation through the knowledge and use of body mechanics Uses safe and effective oral feeding practices to ensure eating safety Participates with the RN in the application of restraints when required for safety Uses knowledge of behavioral health diagnosis/issue to understand the presenting problem and provides therapeutic direction and feedback to the patient Communicates observation data based on the patient goals and plan of care Responds during a psychiatric emergency using least restrictive measures to assure patient safety Uses verbal de-escalation techniques to prevent escalation and violence May perform EKGs and phlebotomy procedures Requirements Education and Training: Associate degree required (Bachelor preferred) in Psychology, Sociology, Education or other related degree and/or 3+ years experience as a Mental Health Tech; BLS Experience: One-year experience preferred in psychiatric inpatient or day programs, or psychiatric residential placement programs, or in Therapeutic Support Services Registration, Licensure and/or Certification: Crisis Prevention Certification preferred Skills: EKGs and phlebotomy Position Summary: The Mental Health Technician provides direct patient care under the supervision of a RN or LPN. Primary responsibilities include the provision of a safe and therapeutic milieu, crisis interventions, and activities of daily living. The Technician will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by the RN or LPN. Accountabilities/Criteria Conducts Patient Observation Safety Rounds as per policy Checks daily assignment sheet for scheduled duties each shift and accepts assignments/reassignment when necessary Observes patient behavior and documents observation according to hospital policies Demonstrates understanding of procedures implemented for patients on special precautions Is active participant in the therapeutic milieu and is engaged with patient population Intervenes with patients during critical incidents such as escalation, elopement and suicidal behavior Organizes and facilitates patient activities and appropriately utilizes group protocols Assists with admission, discharge and transfer procedures Orients new patients to the unit Competent in taking vital signs, weights, heights and obtaining urine specimens Assists patient with ADLs Maintains all required competencies in timely manner Other duties as assigned by the RN or LPN Intervening to verbally de-escalate aggression and to physically intervene using non-violent crisis intervention techniques to assure patient, family and staff safety Visually monitors patient for at-risk behaviors and implements the interdisciplinary plan of care Promotes healthy coping via verbal support, implementation of behavior plan by therapeutic team and management of the environment Redirects patients using appropriate verbal cues according to the plan of care In collaboration with the care team, plans, initiates and/or supervises therapeutic group activities Participates in development of behavior management plan with other team members Participates in safe physical transfers and safe patient ambulation through the knowledge and use of body mechanics Uses safe and effective oral feeding practices to ensure eating safety Participates with the RN in the application of restraints when required for safety Uses knowledge of behavioral health diagnosis/issue to understand the presenting problem and provides therapeutic direction and feedback to the patient Communicates observation data based on the patient's goals and plan of care Responds during a psychiatric emergency using least restrictive measures to assure patient safety Uses verbal de-escalation techniques to prevent escalation and violence May perform EKGs and phlebotomy procedures Job Requirements Education and Training: Associate's degree required (Bachelor's preferred) in Psychology, Sociology, Education or other related degree and/or 3+ years' experience as a Mental Health Tech; BLS Experience: One-year experience preferred in psychiatric inpatient or day programs, or psychiatric residential placement programs, or in Therapeutic Support Services Registration, Licensure and/or Certification: Crisis Prevention Certification preferred Skills: EKGs and phlebotomy