Mental Health Tech/Unit Secretary - Acute Behavioral Care Unit - FT Days

Hackensack Meridian Health•Montgomery, NJ

15d•$21

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician, Admissions, provides direct and indirect care to a designated patient population as part of an interdisciplinary team. Under the direction of a registered nurse, the technician promotes patient satisfaction, comfort, and safety; supports patient care and unit operations; and participates in patient-safety and performance-improvement activities. The role requires adapting care to patients’ physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, age, cultural, language, and accessibility needs. The primary work location is a Carrier Clinic facility. The incumbent may also be assigned or floated to Communication Specialist duties during a shift. The position combines behavioral-health patient care with unit-secretary and communications functions. Patient-care duties include admission support, observation, safety checks, collecting clinical measurements and specimens, assisting with hygiene and meals, supporting treatment activities, and helping with patient transport. Communications and administrative duties include answering and routing calls, responding to emergency codes and alarms, operating paging and communication systems, maintaining records and databases, greeting and directing visitors, and managing specified safety and vehicle-log tasks. The role requires a high school diploma or GED, strong written and verbal communication, computer proficiency, and the ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing patient needs. AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP certification is required within 60 days of entering the position. The posted minimum rate is $21.46 per hour. HMH describes its benefits package as including health, dental, and vision coverage, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent GED program.
Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing patient needs.
Accountability for improving the lives of patients and caregivers, teamwork, commitment to ongoing education, and a patient-focused approach to care and service.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficient computer skills, including Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office platforms.
AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience or certification in phlebotomy and in checking EKGs, vital signs, and blood sugar.
At least one year of PCT, MHT, CNA, or other behavioral-health experience in a hospital setting; strongly preferred.
Experience with behavioral-health patients.
CNA, CMA, MHT, or PCT qualification through a successfully completed PCT program that includes phlebotomy, EKG, and nursing-assistant coursework in both theoretical and clinical settings.

Responsibilities

Welcome patients and complete initial triage in collaboration with admissions staff; orient patients to the unit and develop rapport with patients and their families or significant others.
Prepare patients for assessment, admission, physical examinations, and procedures.
Participate in patient searches at admission, after return from pass, or when clinically indicated, under RN direction and in accordance with network policy.
Provide age-appropriate patient care and promote safe outcomes, comfort, and satisfaction under the direction of the registered nurse.
Observe and report patients’ conditions, behavior, treatment responses, and complaints to the nurse, psychiatrist, or other advanced practice professional.
Obtain and document clinical measurements as needed, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, glucose finger sticks, weights, and intake and output; promptly notify the RN of abnormal results or changes in condition.
Collect, label, process, and transport blood and other specimens using appropriate procedures; perform venipuncture as needed.
Perform EKGs as needed and directed.
Ensure required equipment is available, functional, and clean; apply bandages, slings, compression boots, or hypothermia blankets as needed and directed by the RN.
Support psychiatry consultation liaison services by setting up equipment and directly observing the patient and equipment during telehealth consultations, where applicable.
Assist with patient transport to departments or units when requested.
Provide one-to-one observation and perform and document 15-minute safety checks as needed.
Assist with seclusion, restraint, and monitoring of agitated patients under RN direction; complete related documentation in accordance with network policy.
Assist patients with meals or feeding as needed; provide hygiene and comfort care, including bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, incontinent care, and bed making.
Assist patients with dressing and undressing; manage patient belongings and clothing in accordance with hospital policy, including property checklists and inspection of items brought during visits.
Help prepare behavioral-health rooms and check and restock assigned-area inventory as directed by the RN.
Provide post-mortem care as directed and facilitate group clinical treatment activities as directed.
Answer call lights promptly and communicate changes in patient condition to the RN immediately.
Complete paperwork and electronic records accurately and within procedural time limits.
Answer and route incoming hospital, emergency, physician-service, and hotline calls; provide information about patient location, visiting hours, services, departments, on-call schedules, and directory assistance.
Respond to and manage emergency codes and alarms according to established procedures, including notifying appropriate personnel, documenting events, and initiating necessary actions.
Operate the paging system for requested overhead, on-ground, and off-ground pages.
Operate and maintain communication systems and computer-based databases; troubleshoot issues, report malfunctions, coordinate with technical staff, and keep console log books and manuals current.
Maintain call logs, emergency reports, database updates, and other records, and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.
Monitor Zero Eyes hardware and call emergency alerts as necessary.
Manage fleet vehicle logs and complete vehicle sign-outs.
Stay informed about hospital events, procedures, and on-call schedules.
Greet and register visitors, provide visitor credentials, give directions and facility orientation, and notify units when families or significant others arrive to pick up discharging patients.
Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and safe transitions from admission through the continuum of care, as well as unit or department performance-improvement activities.
Demonstrate initiative, accountability, teamwork, and adherence to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.
Perform other duties or projects as assigned.