Behavioral Mental Health Tech 7a-7p

UHS•Petersburg, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Poplar Springs Hospital, a 183-bed acute care and residential facility in Petersburg, Virginia, provides behavioral and psychological treatment for adults and adolescents through acute programs, adolescent residential programs, and programs for active-duty military. The hospital is set on 25 acres and provides a therapeutic environment for patients and families. The Behavioral Mental Health Tech assists with safe, effective patient care under the direction of the Program Director/Manager and Unit Charge Nurse. The position plays a significant role in direct patient care and in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment for patients and residents. The tech uses effective Handle With Care (HWC), CPR, and seclusion and restraint (S/R) techniques; mentors new hires and students in unit routines; performs assigned administrative duties; and serves as a role model to patients and residents. Other duties may be assigned. Hours may vary, and applicants must be flexible with their availability. Staff must also be flexible about reassignment to units serving varied populations, including male and female children, adolescents, adults, and adults with dual diagnoses. The employer provides orientation and training for employees who need to develop required knowledge and skills.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age, as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services.
Must demonstrate flexibility for reassignment to units serving male and female children, adolescents, adults, and adults with dual diagnoses.
Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm.
Must have good communication skills and be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Must have basic clerical skills and basic experience with office equipment such as telephones, copy machines, and fax machines.
Must be able to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Must be able to problem-solve and accept feedback when circumstances warrant.
Must be willing to interact with patients with varying levels of cognitive functioning.
Must demonstrate competency in the job criteria; when skills are not present at hire, must be able to develop them through orientation and training within a reasonable time frame.
Applicants must have flexibility with their availability because hours may vary.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.
Valid driver's license in good standing, in accordance with UHS Transportation policy, strongly preferred.
CPR preferred; offered on-site.
Handle With Care preferred; offered on-site.
Knowledge of human behavior or principles of psychology, including therapeutic relationships and processes, age-specific growth and development, limit setting, crisis management, and behavior management, preferred.
Computer skills helpful.

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 help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for patients and residents.
Use effective Handle With Care, CPR, and seclusion and restraint techniques.
Mentor new hires and students in unit routines.
Perform administrative duties as assigned.
Act as a role model to patients and residents.
Perform other duties as assigned.