Mental Health Technician

The Mental Health Technician acts as a paraprofessional member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, assisting in the care and treatment of psychiatric and / or chemically dependent patients. Under supervision of the nurse or counselor, provides supportive and behavioral direction as dictated by patient needs and treatment plan.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

• Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.
• Observes and monitors patient behavior; communicates patient behavior patterns with other members of the treatment team.
• Assists with the coordination of patient activities and interacts with patients in order to maintain a therapeutic milieu; adapts approach to patients as needed and appropriate for age of patients served including children, adolescents, and adults.
• Escorts and transports patients to designated areas for daily activities; transports patients to off-campus therapeutic activities using hospital vehicle as assigned.
• Communicates pertinent patient information to the interdisciplinary treatment team, through written and verbal reports, in order to enhance treatment planning and describe progress.
• Utilizes Trauma Informed Care principles.
• Provides emotional support to patients by listening and conveying appropriate information; answers patient and family questions; refers therapy or medical questions to counselor or RN; supports and provides patient direction in conjunction with the patient's treatment plan.
• Serves as a role model for patient social interactions, grooming, and appropriate behavior; models use of healthy coping skills.
• Facilitates or co-facilitates patient groups under direction of RN, social worker, or counselor.
• Responds to unit emergencies; assists with management of patients using therapeutic interventions; uses Directed Intervention principles in responding to disruptive patient.
• Assists staff nurse in performing patient care as directed including obtaining and recording height and weight and blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respirations.
• Distributing meals and assisting patients with meals; bathing and other ADL's; assists with ambulation, lifting, and positioning patients according to policy and procedure; assists with elimination needs including empties bedpans and urinals and takes appropriate measurements for intake and output.
• Provides close observation or one-to-one care, as directed by the RN, to prevent patients from wandering or potential injury.
• Performs clerical duties including scheduling appointments, receiving incoming phone calls and visitors, directing calls as appropriate, copying and faxing information as directed, and maintaining adequate supplies to meet unit needs.
• Performs tasks related to patient admission, dismissal and transfer, including belongings search and labeling of patient belongings; collection of specimens and transportation.
• Performs special observations (patients at risk for suicide, falls, elopement, and aggression toward self and others) as assigned.
• Applies and monitors the use of patient restraints according to facility policy.
• Maintains appropriate therapeutic relationships with patients; maintains confidentiality of patient information.
• Documents, under the direction of the RN, in the patient medical record attendance at all treatment activities and participation in daily unit routines; descriptions of patient behavior; communications related to patient care received from referral sources, family members, and others; vital signs, I&O; entries as appropriate on the interdisciplinary treatment plan and treatment plan review sheets.
• Picks up from the Pharmacy and transports medications to the unit, when requested; delivers medication (drugs or biologicals) received on the unit, to the appropriate patient specific medication drawer or medication room.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or equivalent required. Must have appropriate training for basic interaction care such as supervision, daily living care, and mentoring of patients / residents in the unit / facility. Must be at least twenty (20) years old and at least two (2) years older than the oldest juvenile patient. Must complete and pass annual criminal background check and central registry check through child and adult protective services.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS :

Basic Life Support (CPR) certification required. Valid State of Nebraska driver's license required. Verification and maintenance of responsible driving record per facility standards required.