Mental Health Technician PRN

Overview

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Permian Basin, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

• Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures and abide by federal, state and local requirements, as well as Joint Commission standards.
• Effectively apply supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibit unacceptable behavior. Demonstrate the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventory patient belongings accurately and secure contraband as needed; complete unit safety checks.
• Comply with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attend required in-services to keep self-informed.
• Implement patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel; perform vital signs, weights, ADL, intake and output documentation, nutritional monitoring and communicate findings to the nurse. Ensure patients or residents receive appropriate dietary considerations by reviewing dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences.
• Assist patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintenance of belongings; assist at risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
• Individualize all patient care activities to the age-specific, disability, and cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
• Communicate and document patient observations and data effectively in the patient record; document patient departures from the unit (e.g., passes, transport to appointments) with accuracy and within defined timelines; document significant occurrences, observed behavior, vital signs, nutrition intake, and patient observation findings on assigned patients as requested by the registered nurse, with accuracy and within defined timelines.
• Communicate outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner; provide follow-up on patient care responsibilities; convey incomplete assignments, ongoing activities and current patient needs to relevant staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements High school graduate or equivalent with CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting is required. Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must work well with diverse populations. Must utilize Age, Disability and Cultural Specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients.

Must be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth and potentiality of clients and hold a high sense of personal integrity. Must be able to work under close supervision. Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program.

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.