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’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

PI232755785