Mental Health Technician
About The Position
Assists in planning and implementing individual patient care and therapeutic milieu groups to facilitate treatment of psychiatric inpatients. Provides direct care and mental health support to children and adults, assists with intakes as required, and performs treatment and diagnostic procedures such as EKGs, phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans. Documents interactions and maintains complete records to support decision-making by staff and authorities. Performs patient care activities in collaboration with and under the direction of an RN. The role is based onsite at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono, 206 E Brown St. The schedule is 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., including every other weekend and every other holiday. The position is part of the LVH-P SEIU union.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED and at least one year of college credits; coursework is preferably in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Special Education, Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or Medicine.
- At least six months of direct care experience, including individual and group counseling skills; acute behavioral healthcare or behavioral education experience is preferred. Direct care may include professional formal internship or clinical practicum experience.
- One year of experience in Behavioral Health.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient information and adapt readily to emergency situations.
- Ability to speak clearly so listeners can comprehend.
- Ability to use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
- Ability to be aware of others’ reactions and understand possible causes.
- Knowledge of mental health and/or substance abuse.
- Individual and group counseling skills.
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification for Pennsylvania within 180 days.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Nursing, Medicine, or Healthcare Administration.
- Direct care experience in an acute behavioral healthcare setting or behavioral education setting.
Responsibilities
- Assist in planning and implementing individual patient care and therapeutic milieu groups for psychiatric inpatients.
- Provide direct care services and mental health support to children and adults, and assist with intakes as required.
- Perform treatment and diagnostic procedures, including EKGs, phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans.
- Document observed client behaviors during the shift and enter documentation into electronic medical records.
- Accept emergency and crisis calls; respond to front-line first-responder needs by telephone and triage calls based on intensity, service needs, critical timing, and staff assignment.
- Assist patients with physical care, hygiene, and activities of daily living, following treatment-plan goals and interventions and unit-specific guidelines.
- Provide input to the formulation and revision of treatment plans.
- Conduct independent study of relevant current literature and present findings to staff annually.
- Demonstrate at least one specific behavior supporting the care model, such as clinical supervision, committee participation, PI monitoring, coordinating scheduling, PCC measurement, patient satisfaction follow-up, or peer review.
- Meet established procedures and department- or unit-specific competency assessment criteria.
- Participate in continuing education and self-motivated learning to support personal and professional development.
- Work as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, participate in the professional learning process of others, and serve as a resource for students.
- Assist with orientation of new personnel and support the professional practice model.
- Perform patient care activities in collaboration with and under the direction of an RN.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
