Behavioral Mental Health Tech 7P-7A

UHS•Petersburg, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Poplar Springs Hospital is a 183-bed acute care and residential facility that has been providing behavioral and psychological treatment for adults and adolescents for over 30 years. The facility offers acute programs, adolescent residential programs, and programs for active duty military. Located in Petersburg, Virginia, the serene setting on 25 acres aims to provide a sense of calm and peace for patients. The hospital offers hope through a nurturing environment for adults and adolescents to flourish. This role involves assisting in providing safe, effective patient care under the direction of the Program Director/Manager and Unit Charge Nurse. The Mental Health Tech plays a significant role in direct patient care and is crucial in maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment through the use of effective Handle With Care (HWC), CPR, and Safety Restraint (S/R) techniques. The position also involves mentoring new hires and students, performing administrative duties, acting as a role model, and demonstrating good verbal and written communication skills. Hours will vary, requiring flexibility in availability.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age per Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services.
Must have patience, tact, and a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm.
Good communication skills; must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
Basic clerical skills.
Basic experience with office equipment (telephone, copy machine, fax, etc.).
Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Ability to problem solve and accept feedback when circumstances warrant such actions.
Willingness to interact with patients with varying levels of cognitive functioning.
Staff must demonstrate flexibility for reassignment to units providing care to varied populations including male and female children, adolescents and adults as well as dually diagnosed adults.
In absence of these qualifications upon hire, must demonstrate ability to learn these concepts and develop these skills within reasonable time frame via the organization’s orientation and training program.

Nice To Haves

Valid driver’s license in good standing per UHS Transportation policy strongly preferred.
CPR Preferred (offered on-site).
Handle With Care Preferred (offered on-site).
Bachelor Degree Preferred.
Computer skills helpful.
Human behavior or principles of psychology preferred including therapeutic relationships & processes, age specific growth & development, limit setting, crisis & behavior management.

Responsibilities

Assist in providing safe, effective patient care under the direction of the Program Director/Manager and Unit Charge Nurse.
Provide direct patient care and maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients/residents through the use of effective HWC, CPR and S/R techniques.
Mentor new hires and students in unit routines.
Perform administrative duties as assigned.
Act as a role model to patients/residents.
Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
Perform other duties as assigned.