MENTAL HEALTH TECH; Nights

Overview

A Mental Health Technician (MHT) performs selected patient care activities under the supervision of the Program Director and/or Nurse Manager. Primary duties include observing and recording patient information pertinent to the treatment plan and reporting this information to the Staff Registered Nurse. This position is also responsible for escorting and monitoring patient activities and attending to their personal needs. The MHT must be capable of physically assisting patients, dealing with patient emergencies and working as a member of the clinical team.

• None required for this position

• Hours of work and days are subject to the needs of the Program which operates on a 24 hour; seven days a week basis. Please refer to Program or Hospital attendance policy for additional direction on shifts, holidays and attendance.

• MHTs work in close contact with patients who have moderate to severe psychiatric concerns and/or behavioral issues. There is the possibility MHTs could be exposed to violent behavior from patients and/or infectious diseases as part of their daily duties.
• This role uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential core function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience, and ability necessary to perform this job.

• Restore and promote patients health by assisting in their individual therapeutic treatment plan
• Conducts activities in accordance with patient diagnosis and needs
• Attend to patient personal needs (oral hygiene, toileting, bathing, dressing, transferring, etc.) as required.
• Escort and monitor patients; and provide line-of-sight or one-to-one support to patients as ordered by the physician
• Check and document luggage and personal belongings upon admission; maintain patient property list
• Regularly observe and document patients behaviors, temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and weight
• Monitor and document patients food and fluid intake; feeding patients as required
• Complete and document 15 minute (or less) visual checks on patients per unit/hospital policy
• Insure patient dignity and respect patient values
• Establish a compassionate environment by providing emotional and psychological support to patients, families and staff
• Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality; and protects operations by keeping patient and program information confidential
• Operate within ethical standards
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses and multidisciplinary team members
• Assure quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and regulatory standards
• Coordinate and supervise therapeutic activities for individual patients and for groups in accordance with patient care treatment plans
• Help maintain unit cleanliness and neatness for patient comfort
• Assist in orientation for patients and families
• Per RN direction, and using approved methods, assist in safely placing patients in seclusion or restraints; observe suicide/seclusion precautions
• Monitor visitors and supervise visitation
• Intervene with patients who disregard, violate, or ignore unit safety rules. Report any signs of increasing aggression, suicidal behavior, and danger of elopement, violation of smoking rules, or violation of any other unit/facility safety rules.
• Assist in emergency care if necessary
• Maintain continuity among peers by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs
• Protect patients and employees by adhering to safety standards; infection‑control policies and protocols; storage procedures; and controlled substance regulations
• Use hygienic practices and teach patient hygienic practices
• Attends and contributes to therapeutic groups, community meetings and activities
• Attends appropriate facility in‑service training programs
• Completes all required educational sessions, including staff meetings and competencies per unit/hospital policy
• Insure…