Mental Health Technician - Full Time - Days

Position : Mental Health Technician (MHT)

Status : Full Time, Non Exempt

Schedule : Days, 12-Hour Shifts, 7am-7pm

• All positions at Northlake Behavioral Health require the successful completion of a post-offer / pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen.

Position Summary :

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) provides direct patient care, support, and supervision to individuals receiving behavioral health services in both individual and group settings. Under the supervision of nursing staff, the MHT assists in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment while supporting patients in the development of coping skills, daily living activities, and treatment goals. The role involves observing and reporting patient behavior, intervening in crisis situations using de-escalation techniques, and assisting with basic care needs. The Mental Health Tech works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to promote patient stabilization, recovery, and overall well-being.

Essential Functions :

Q-15 – Observing patients; Properly observe the patients depending on observation level

Facilitate getting patients to group, treatment planning, meals, and other activities in a timely manner and per schedule

Providing guidance and positive role modeling to all patients

Check the patient belongings when the patient is admitted; Check the patient belongings after visits and passes; Patient belongings are logged, labeled, and stored appropriately removing contraband

Supervise patient personal belongings baskets for appropriate contents, usage, and storage and does not allow other patients to have access to belongings or hygiene baskets of others.

Communicate therapeutically with, patients / families, and all other individuals using active listening skills, “avoiding power struggles” skills, and problem and conflict resolution skills; never uses profanity, yelling or inappropriate language or demeaning behavior or comments to patients, co-workers, family members or referral sources. Avoid any invitations to engage in gossip about colleagues / patients

Reviews and is knowledgeable of each assigned patients’ Treatment Plan, background & Behavior Support Plan; assists the patient in following and understanding the goals of their TX. Plan and interventions to maintain control specified in their Behavior Support Plan / treatment plan

Conducts educational and remedial groups on schedule and does so in a clinically appropriate and therapeutic manner.

Performs unit safety checks, patient room checks, and Q-15 checks; Does routine contraband searches

Lock and unlock patient rooms, laundry room, and kitchen and storage room according to established policy only; ensures patients are not in unassigned or prohibited areas.

Monitor patient behavior and document what is observed.  Completes all requirements of seclusion & restraint documentation timely and accurately; participates in de-briefing after a seclusion or restraint.

Documents all group and individual services provided in a thorough, legible and professional manner to conform to all documentation and regulatory requirements.

Participates in all facility mandated trainings within established guidelines; follows and is knowledgeable of facility policies and procedures; adheres to “staff’s dos and don’ts at all times.

Participates and stays updated on all new training, retraining, and updated policies

Ensure patients’ rights maintained by reporting any violation of patients’ rights to the Mgmt. team and Patient Advocate. Respond to Code Greens, Dr. Freeman, and other codes in a timely manner as well as being part of the code showing productive traits.

Observes and Monitors patients according to the behavior management system

Documents patient “clinical homework logs” which serve as feedback to the therapist on how the interventions on the treatment plan are working.

Follows all behavior management principles, per training, including but not limited to reinforcement, discipline, de-escalation, etc.

Use only approved consequences as indicated on individual treatment plan.  NEVER use physical force, including hitting / shaking or using abusive language or verbal threats / denying food or sleep or access to family visits, and never let patient’s consequence each other or use “work” assignments.

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications :

Education : A High School Diploma / GED required

Experience :   Previous relevant work experience or successful completion of a MHT, CNA, PCT, EMT, DSP, or similar program required. Current enrollment in an accredited healthcare program (LPN, RN, Therapy, or similar) may be substituted for experience.

Licensure / Certification : Relevant clinical certification (MHT, CNA, PCT, EMT, DSP, etc.) strongly preferred. American Heart Association BLS (AHA BLS) and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification; successful candidates who do not possess current AHA BLS or CPI certification will be required to attend company-provided classes during the week of orientation.

Orientation : Regardless of work schedule, must be available to complete a full week of orientation (Mon-Fri, 7 : 45am to 5 : 00pm) .

Competency :  Position and Age-Related

HIPAA : Has access to secure patient / patient documentation ensuring confidentiality.

Work Demands / Environment :

Ability to exercise self-control in potentially volatile situations; verbally or physically confronted in a threatening or aggressive manner. Must be able to work and concentrate amidst distractions such as noise, conversation and foot traffic; ability to handle interruptions often and be able to move from one task to another; must be flexible and not easily frustrated in dealing with differences of opinions.  Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, and can perceive the attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, and / or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.  Ability to express and exchange ideas via spoken word during activities in which they must convey detail or important spoken instructions to others accurately, sometimes quickly and loudly.  Hearing to perceive the nature of sound with no less that 40 decibel loss @Hz, and 2000 Hz with or without correction; ability to perceive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound.  Perform repetitive motions with wrists, hands and fingers. Individual must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and to be able to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.  Work requires a minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction that will enable people in the role to complete administrative and clerical tasks and visually observe patients on the unit and in therapeutic activities. Workers may be subject to temperature change. Workers are not generally exposed to adverse environmental conditions as the work is predominantly inside. Worker must have the ability to stand for at least 8 hours to adequately supervise patients.

Northlake Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for all employment; free from discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preferences, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.