The Mental Health Tech Reports to the Manager, Patient Care Services. Under the direction of a Registered Nurse or other designated authority, facilitates the maintenance of the therapeutic environment and assists patients with daily living activities. Functions as a group leader and assists with patients' recreational and social activities. Observes and reports patients' behavior patterns and intervenes as required. Receives guests, answers the telephone, and facilitates productive communications with patients, families, physicians and team members.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Facilitates the maintenance of a therapeutic environment and functions as a member of the behavioral health interdisciplinary team by:

• Orienting the patient to the physical set-up of unit while maintaining awareness of patients on the unit and ensures that the unit day room suites are visually monitored at all times. Communicates to Charge Nurse and MHT Team Members anytime there is a need to leave the unit.
• Reviewing with patient the rules of the unit, i.e., visiting hours, smoking regulations, etc.
• Assisting to check patients' belongings and removing articles to be placed in patient lockers.
• Assisting the RN with admission assessment.
• Observing, recording and reporting significant patient behavior and activities.
• Communicating therapeutically with patient and/or other relevant individuals by listening, observing and the avoidance of power struggles.
• Interacting appropriately with patients who are experiencing crisis and trauma.
• Protecting, containing, subduing or restraining the agitated and/or disruptive patient according to recommended and accepted legal and psychiatric standards.
• Maintaining a safe and secure environment for patients.
• Assisting with the care of patients receiving ECT; helping with the preparation of patient and providing care as assigned, e.g., during the post-operative phase and thereafter, etc.
• Leading or assisting with recreational, educational and social activities as assigned.
• Using established channel of communication to make suggestions for revision of care plan for individual patients.

Supports departmental operations and facilitates positive communications with patients, families, visitors, physicians and team members by:

• Greeting visitors, patients, physicians and team members in a pleasant and courteous manner.
• Answering the telephone promptly and taking and relaying messages for physicians, nurses, patients, etc. in a timely, courteous and accurate manner.
• Documenting patient belongings on admission by itemizing each article of clothing or personal belonging providing a detailed description of each item, then obtaining two signatures to verify the information is complete and accurate. Once signature is the MHT completing the form, and the second signature is the patient or a team member if the patient is unwilling or unable to sign.
• Participating in daily MHT groups for patients, documenting both in the patient record, the patient's attendance and/or participation in group and on the quality tracking board for group completion.
• Ensure unit schedule is posted and any changes made within that day are communicated to Charge Nurse and impacted associates.
• Ensures that patients' showers are completed per unit schedule.
• Ensures that patient laundry is completed per policy and that individual patient laundry is identified during the laundry process.
• At the time of discharge, the MHT collects all patient belongings and completes the discharge paperwork for belongings.

Assists patients with personal hygiene and other activities of daily living by:

• Assisting patients with bathing, dressing, grooming, eating and providing ongoing care throughout the shift.
• Taking vital signs, weighing patients and collecting routine specimens.
• Performing duties in a manner that ensures patient privacy and dignity.
• Participates with the RN in performing skin checks on each patient at the time of admission as needed.
• Monitoring, communicating, and support patient on admission through the admission shower process.
• Documents at least every 15 minutes on each patient using the Patient Rounding Sheet.
• Performs patient room checks each shift and documents findings.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Completing other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through successful completion of high school diploma or equivalent. Previous clerical or patient care experience desired. Nurse Assistant certification preferred. Previous successful experience as a psychiatric technician or successful completion of at least two courses in psychology or counseling at an accredited college or university preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills necessary to deal tactfully and effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and in crisis situations.
• Requires the ability to quickly and appropriately react to crisis situations and accept direction and responsibility for the care of patient under treatment for alcohol abuse, drug abuse and psychiatric disorders.
• Requires the ability to read, legibly print or write, correctly spell and understand medical and non-medical terms and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Requires proficiency in basic computer skills and sufficient keyboarding skills to complete the work assigned accurately and in a reasonable amount of time.
• Requires the ability to work independently, take initiative and be self-motivated.

Working Conditions

• Works in a patient care environment requiring physical exertion, frequent changes in job demands, certain undesirable patient care activities and possible exposure to biohazards.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e., to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position.