Mental Health Tech PRN Nights

UT Southwestern Medical Center • Dallas, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Tech supports patients in a clinical hospital setting by collecting and documenting health information, providing personal care, assisting with safe patient movement, and helping facilitate the treatment milieu. The role requires promptly reporting changes in patient condition or behavior and abnormal assessment findings to the nurse, seeking guidance when needed, and participating in codes to protect patients from harm. The position is PRN on the night shift.

The Mental Health Tech also supports patients and families through respectful, timely responses to requests, welcoming and orienting them to care, conducting regular rounds, and helping with walking, exercise, and community groups. The role includes monitoring patient sharps and valuables, performing sterile procedures according to nursing and infection-control policies, and contributing to a safe, effective care environment. Salary is commensurate with education, skills, and relevant experience.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) course accredited by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, required upon hire.
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification within 180 days.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English.
• Ability to perform extended walking and standing daily; frequently carry up to 40 pounds; grasp; have corrected vision and hearing to the normal range; maintain full range of motion, including restraining patients to prevent harm; and turn and assist patients with activities of daily living.

Nice To Haves

• One year of acute-care inpatient hospital experience.
• Certified Nurses Aide certification with training from an accredited training program.
• Training from an accredited Mental Health Technician program.
• Completion of the first semester of nursing clinicals in an accredited program.

Responsibilities

• Collect intake and output, weight, temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure; perform skin assessments; and promptly report abnormal findings to the nurse.
• Apply age-specific considerations when gathering patient assessments.
• Perform sterile procedures according to nursing and infection-control policies, including use of sterile gloves, dressing changes, and in/out catheterization.
• Assist in facilitating the treatment milieu and participate in codes to protect patients from harming themselves or others.
• Immediately report changes in a patient's condition or behavior to the nurse and seek assistance or guidance as needed.
• Monitor patient sharps and valuables and label and handle them appropriately.
• Conduct walking, exercise, and community groups.
• Respond respectfully, positively, and promptly to patient requests for assistance; ask patients or their families whether anything else is needed before leaving the room.
• Provide basic hygiene care according to nursing policies; check patients' skin during bathing and promptly report abnormal findings.
• Make frequent, ongoing patient rounds to provide comfort, positioning, toileting, and hygiene care, and let patients know when you will return.
• Document patient information accurately, in the appropriate place, and in a timely manner.
• Transfer and transport patients safely according to nursing policies and age-specific considerations; ensure patients are covered and wearing slippers during transport.
• Welcome new patients and families, knock before entering, introduce yourself, wear a name tag, and alert the nurse if concerns are not resolved.
• Assume accountability for workplace actions and report errors promptly.
• Orient new staff and students to work areas and collaborate with nursing staff and hospital employees to support retention of qualified personnel.
• Attend at least 80% of scheduled staff meetings and 100% of mandatory educational sessions.
• Use downtime to assist others or provide additional amenities to patients and families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage.
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare with no copay.
• Paid time off, available day one.
• Retirement programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Paid parental leave.
• Wellness programs.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness-qualified employer.
• The organization also describes a competitive benefits package including healthcare, PTO, paid holidays, and on-site childcare.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED