Mental Health Technician Nursing Assistant

Lehigh Valley Health Network • East Stroudsburg, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician Nursing Assistant helps physicians, health practitioners, and psychiatrists work with patients with mental or emotional disorders using counseling principles and nursing training. The role records patients’ physical condition by taking vital signs and observing behavior, and organizes social or recreational activities to encourage patient participation.

The position provides direct care and day-to-day support for patients with medical and behavioral issues across all age ranges in an inpatient psychiatric unit. It assists patients with activities of daily living and supports their ability to meet basic needs, including medication management, life skills, recreation and leisure, housing, transportation, legal, medical and financial assistance, and entitlements. The technician also contributes to therapeutic recreation and purposeful interventions, observes and documents medication-plan compliance, monitors medical and health care needs, and helps maintain a safe patient care environment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Six months of direct patient care experience, preferably in an acute behavioral health setting or behavioral health education setting.
• Ability to handle significant amounts of confidential patient information.
• Ability to handle crises calmly and maturely.
• Ability to adapt to emergency situations.
• Familiarity with community resources and delivery of case management services.
• Knowledge of mental health and/or substance abuse.
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification for Pennsylvania.
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention certification for Pennsylvania.

Nice To Haves

• Successful completion of core and specialty orientation.
• Code Orange training.
• Successful completion of a Crisis Management Course.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and management for patients with medical and behavioral issues.
• Assist with the care and management of patients across all age ranges as directed by the treatment team.
• Support day-to-day management of patients on an inpatient psychiatric unit and assist patients who need help with activities of daily living.
• Help clients learn to meet basic needs, including medication management, life skills, recreation and leisure, housing, transportation, legal, medical and financial assistance, and securing appropriate entitlements.
• Plan therapeutic recreation for groups, support purposeful interventions and therapies, and work with clinical staff on special projects and duties.
• Observe and document client compliance with medication regimens as specified in the treatment plan.
• Remain alert and respond to patient safety issues, helping maintain a safe and secure patient care environment.
• Assist clinical staff in meeting and monitoring clients’ medical and health care needs.
• Record patients’ physical condition by taking vital signs and observing behavior.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED