Job Summary

The Mental Health Technician provides care to patients in a manner that considers their safety and comfort. This role assists patients with all activities of daily living and helps maintain the patient’s personal environment, using proper body mechanics and safety precautions in the performance of duties.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Assesses changes in patient behavior and reports them to the supervising nurse.

2. Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment programs.

3. Knows the whereabouts of all assigned patients at all times.

4. Performs purposeful rounding monitoring, which includes:

   • Visual checks on every patient every 15 minutes.

   • If the patient is sleeping, assessing the patient’s well-being and checking for breathing.

   • If the patient is in the bathroom, knocking and making sure the patient is okay, verbally checking on the patient, and returning to the room for a visual check.

5. Performs night shift floater/hallway monitoring, which includes:

   • The floater/hallway monitor must place the chair against the wall.

   • The chair is not to be placed in the doorway of the patient’s room.

6. Monitors patients on a one-on-one basis per procedure and follows Gender Specific Policy guidelines; documents patient behavior progress in the medical record.

7. Documents noted behavior and the location of the patient at 15-minute intervals in real time.

8. Effectively communicates observations regarding patient behavior outside of group therapies to supervising nurses on an ongoing basis.

9. Knows and understands the Patient Restraint Policy and legal requirements.

10. Provides personal health care related to cleanliness, grooming, rest, activity, and nourishment.

11. Assists in the setup for meals and snacks.

12. Assists in keeping group rooms clean and in order.

13. Actively participates in group therapy and recreational activities as assigned.

14. Assists in the coordination and implementation of structured activities, special events, and outings that are recreational in nature.

15. Assists in the coordination of patient supplies necessary for activities and recreational therapies.

16. Presents patient observations during staffing for treatment plan reviews.

17. Communicates effectively with other staff members to provide continuity of care.

18. Assists in crisis intervention to manage disruptive, violent, and out-of-control patients.

19. Follows all safety standards in relation to patient care and protection from environmental hazards.

20. Reports all injuries and unsafe practices to the immediate supervisor. Reports all safety hazards to the safety committee.

21. Demonstrates ability to carry out all assignments and procedures according to policy and procedure manuals.

22. Manages and operates equipment safely and efficiently.

23. Demonstrates a team approach and gives a sense of helping others.

24. Uses time effectively.

25. Demonstrates awareness of the need for respecting the dignity and privacy of others.

26. Demonstrates knowledge and awareness of the patient grievance procedure.

27. Participates in the hospital’s CQI, safety, and infection control studies as assigned.

28. Occasionally may require overtime.

29. Performs other assigned duties as required.

Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to carry out oral and written instructions and understand technical information from supervisors, charts, reference books, manuals, and labels.

2. Communicates well, speaks clearly, and listens carefully.

3. Adheres to policy and procedures as set forth by the hospital.

4. Maintains confidentiality of patient information and familiarity with HIPAA requirements.

5. Assists patients and their families in their needs.

6. Works fast in an emergency.

7. Ability to multitask.

8. Records information accurately.

9. Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish.

Physical Demands

Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. Requires walking or standing to a significant degree and requires sitting a minimal amount of time.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed indoors with protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes.

Hazards:

• Subject to exposure to infectious and contagious diseases bearing specimens.

• Subject to exposure to blood borne pathogens.

• Subject to exposure to body fluids and wastes.

• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, including patient violence.

Reasoning Development

Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Mathematical Development

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure, including measurements utilized in clinical settings.

Language Development

Reading: Read and understand instructions, safety rules, medical terminology, and other written materials such as policies and procedures.

Writing: Write letters, correspondence, and other reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Speaking: Speak with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and a well-modulated voice.

Relationships to Data, People, and Things

Data: Compiling — gathering, collating, or classifying information about data, people, or things.

People: Speaking-signaling — talking with and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.

Things: Operating-controlling — starting, stopping, controlling, and adjusting the progress of machines or equipment.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Graduate or equivalent required.

• Associate’s/Technical Degree or Foreign Medical Graduate preferred.

• Current CPR certification required.

Job Knowledge

• Minimum 1 year work experience as a Mental Health Technician preferred.

• Aggression Control.

• Patient Rights.

• Professional Ethics.

Certification Requirements

After reaching eligibility status of 1,000 hours, the employee will obtain Certification (CBHT) within 6 months.