Mental Health Tech I - Mental Health Unit - Part time - Nights

Dayton Children's Hospital

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 while providing excellent care. The MHT provides supportive, trauma-informed care and helps maintain a safe, therapeutic milieu. The role includes completing routine safety checks, maintaining constant attendance on patients as ordered, supporting patient safety and adherence to treatment plans, assisting with activities of daily living, documenting care, and collaborating with the treatment team. The MHT uses therapeutic communication, accepts delegated tasks, and reports relevant patient information, including behavioral changes and mental status updates. The role also requires appropriate handling of sensitive patient information and compliance with confidentiality and privacy guidelines. The MHT may function as the unit clerk and/or support coordinator, assisting the team lead with clerical duties and daily unit operations. The position complies with the safety management program, including the use of de-escalation techniques, to help maintain a secure, therapeutic environment free of hazards and reduce injury risk. 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. This is a part-time position serving the Mental Health Unit at the Mathile Center for Mental Health and Wellness. The schedule is two 12-hour night shifts, 7:00 PM–7:30 AM, totaling 24 hours, with weekend and holiday rotations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Knowledge of and adherence to established standards and licensure guidelines for direct care of mental health patients.
Ability to provide supportive, trauma-informed care and maintain a safe, therapeutic milieu.
Strong therapeutic communication skills.
Ability to accept delegated tasks, ask pertinent questions, and report patient information, behavioral changes, and mental status updates.
Ability to uphold confidentiality and privacy guidelines.
Ability to assist with activities of daily living, document appropriately, and collaborate with the treatment team.
Availability for two 12-hour night shifts, 7:00 PM–7:30 AM, with weekend and holiday rotations.

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.
Help maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu.
Complete routine safety checks and provide constant attendance on patients as ordered.
Support patient safety and adherence to treatment plans.
Use therapeutic communication and accept delegated tasks.
Ask pertinent questions and report patient information, including behavioral changes and mental status updates.
Handle sensitive patient information in accordance with confidentiality and privacy guidelines.
Assist patients with activities of daily living.
Document care appropriately and collaborate with the treatment team.
Function as unit clerk and/or support coordinator when needed, assisting the team lead with clerical duties and daily unit operations.
Comply with the safety management program, including de-escalation practices, to maintain a secure and therapeutic environment and reduce injury risk.
Promote a patient- and family-centered, trauma-informed environment and respond to changing census and customer needs.