Community Mental Health Technician Behavioral Health (NY HELPS) - FT - Evening Shift

ECMC • Buffalo, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Provides direct nursing care to psychiatric patients in the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) and inpatient behavioral health unit at Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC). Provides routine patient care in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal policies and regulations and accepted standards of practice. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse; supervision of others is not part of this position. Related work is performed as required.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). While the program is in effect, the position may be filled by non-competitive appointment without an examination, provided candidates meet the title's minimum qualifications. The posting states that employees hired through NY HELPS are expected to have their status converted to competitive within one year of permanent appointment, without taking a civil service test, and may participate in qualifying promotion examinations while serving permanently in a NY HELPS title.

The position is full-time, evening shift, with an hourly range of $24.97–$31.85.

Requirements

• High school graduation or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.
• Either two years of experience in inpatient or outpatient behavioral health care, or two years of experience as a certified nursing assistant, or an equivalent combination of minimum qualifications as defined by the posting.
• Possess Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from an ECMCC-approved provider within 60 days of appointment and maintain it throughout the appointment.
• Complete the New York State Office of Mental Health–Bureau of Education and Workforce Development (BEWD) certified safety program within three months of appointment and participate in annual retraining.
• Sign the required clearance form permitting inquiry into whether the applicant is the subject of an indicated child abuse or maltreatment report in the State Central Register; refusal is cause for automatic non-selection.
• Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience is prorated toward full-time experience requirements.
• Good knowledge of current principles, practices, and techniques of mental health care; standard-of-care techniques, including Level I and Level III Observation Standard of Care; and human relations.
• Working knowledge of patient rights under mental hygiene laws and criminal procedure law.
• Ability to identify changes in patient condition; maintain a safe, calm, and therapeutic environment; locate, operate, and maintain hospital equipment; understand and follow oral and written instructions; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse constituency.
• Initiative, emotional maturity, and flexibility.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal hygiene care, including showers, bed baths, shaving, nail care, hair care, oral care, and denture care.
• Care for patients’ personal need items, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, canes, wheelchairs, and other adaptive devices.
• Assist patients with nutritional needs by passing and collecting diet trays and nourishments, setting up trays and adaptive feeding equipment, and feeding or assisting patients as needed.
• Monitor, document, and report intake and output.
• Collect specimens.
• Obtain vital signs and notify a supervisor of changes.
• Lead patient activity groups under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Transfer and transport patients using appropriate equipment.
• Perform range-of-motion exercises for upper and lower extremities and assist patients with ambulation.
• Identify changes in skin condition, cognitive functioning, or behavior and notify a supervisor.
• Respond appropriately to life-threatening emergencies.
• Monitor stock supplies and notify a supervisor when replacements should be ordered.
• Maintain a clean unit environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED