Mental Health Tech I - Mental Health Unit - Full time - Days

Dayton Children's Hospital

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician (MHT), under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Mental Health Clinician, provides direct care to mental health patients in accordance with established standards and licensure guidelines. The MHT models Dayton Children’s values through effective interactions with patients, families, and treatment team members, and provides excellent care. The MHT provides supportive, trauma-informed care and helps maintain a safe, therapeutic milieu. This includes completing routine safety checks, maintaining constant attendance on patients as ordered, promoting patient safety, and supporting adherence to treatment plans. The MHT uses therapeutic communication, accepts delegated tasks, asks pertinent questions, and reports relevant patient information, including behavioral changes and mental status updates. The role requires appropriate handling of sensitive information and adherence to confidentiality and privacy guidelines. The MHT also assists with activities of daily living, completes documentation, and collaborates with the treatment team. The position may function as a unit clerk and/or support coordinator, assisting the team lead with clerical duties and daily unit operations. The MHT follows the safety management program to help maintain a secure, therapeutic environment free of hazards and reduce injury risk, including through de-escalation techniques. The MHT responds to the hospital’s mission and the mental health unit’s goals, promotes a patient- and family-centered, trauma-informed environment, and adapts to changing census and customer needs in the inpatient mental health setting.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Knowledge of and adherence to established standards and licensure guidelines for the role.
Ability to demonstrate therapeutic communication skills, accept delegated tasks, ask pertinent questions, and report patient information as indicated.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow patient privacy guidelines.
Ability to collaborate with the treatment team and adapt to changing unit needs.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care to mental health patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Mental Health Clinician.
Provide supportive, trauma-informed care to patients and families.
Maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu by completing routine safety checks and providing constant attendance on patients as ordered.
Promote patient safety and support adherence to treatment plans.
Use therapeutic communication and report relevant patient information, including behavioral changes and mental status updates.
Handle sensitive patient information appropriately and uphold confidentiality and privacy guidelines.
Assist patients with activities of daily living and complete appropriate documentation.
Collaborate with the treatment team.
Function as a unit clerk and/or support coordinator when needed, supporting the team lead with clerical duties and daily unit operations.
Comply with the safety management program, including using de-escalation techniques to maintain a secure environment and reduce risk of injury.
Promote a patient- and family-centered, trauma-informed environment and respond to changing census and customer needs.
Model Dayton Children’s values and respond to the hospital’s mission and the mental health unit’s goals.