INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

UHS•Raleigh, NC

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician functions as an active part of the treatment team, providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction and role modeling to patients ranging in ages from preschool through geriatrics. All MHT’s work under the direction of a Registered Nurse.

Requirements

High School Degree or equivalent required
Must maintain a valid driver's license in the applicable state.
Successful completion Management Aggressive Behavior Training, Service Excellence Training and CPR certification required.
MHT’s may be required to work weekends, overtime and have flexible hours.

Nice To Haves

Certified Nursing Assistant preferred
Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, recreational therapy or appropriate therapeutic discipline highly desirable.
Two (2) years of related experience, with knowledge of psychiatric patient care techniques with understanding of mental illness, preferred.

Responsibilities

Take and record vital signs properly.
Utilize sound judgment during assessment and observe and documents any changes in a patient’s appearance, behavior or ability to work toward treatment plan goals.
Communicate changes in patient’s condition to the charge nurse.
Follow the therapeutic interventions outlined by the treatment team for each patient.
Ensure awareness of patient’s individualized plan of care including goals and interventions.
Provide information to the charge nurse that assists in the development and revision of the treatment plan.
Ensure intervention is based on the patient’s plan of care.
Employ appropriate crisis intervention techniques as needed.
Employ facility approved Management of Assaultive Behavior (CPI/MAB) techniques as necessary.
Assist patients through the discharge process.
Assist patients with personal hygiene and activities of daily living.
Comply with the established policies and procedures requiring a safe, clean and therapeutic environment.
Practice universal precautions and environmental safety guidelines.
Recognize and respond to priorities in patient care responsibilities.
Supervise and assist patients in all patient areas.
Check patients for contraband and manage the patient’s valuables and belongings.
Report potential crisis situations to the nurse in charge and responds in an appropriate fashion.
Ensure patient safety through continuous supervision of patient.
Establish and maintain a professional therapeutic relationship with patients.
Teach the patient proper hygiene and ensure adherence to hygiene methods.
Carry out teaching activities identified in the treatment plan under the supervision of the Charge RN.
Model and teach appropriate social skills.
Re-enforce the importance of medication compliance, and monitor activity of compliance.
Orient patients to their unit and program, providing continuous guidance as needed.
Assume responsibilities for the completion of all patient care responsibilities and other assigned duties.
Act as the patient’s advocate and assure that patient’s rights are upheld.
Comply with established measures for infection control, OSHA regulations, and risk management.
Comply with the Employee Code of Ethics.
Adhere to all facility and personnel policies and procedures.
Participate in continuous Performance Improvement activities.
Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
Maintain knowledge of children’s stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise.
Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior, and/or history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled child.
Relate to child patients in an age appropriate manner.
Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue.
Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Child Patient Programs.
Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in the patient’s behavior.
Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.
Relate to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner.
Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of adolescents, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue.
Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.
Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgements based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.
Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors.
Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.
Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care and behavioral care.
Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patient’s functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
Maintain knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.
Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge.
Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.
Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating to co-dependency can impact work performance/relationships.
Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.
Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.