Mental Health Technician - F/T Days

Hackensack Meridian Health•Perth Amboy, NJ

2d•$21

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician provides direct and indirect care to a designated patient population as part of an interdisciplinary team. Under the direction of a registered nurse, the technician supports patient satisfaction, comfort, and safety; assists with patient, unit, and environmental tasks; and participates in patient-safety and performance-improvement initiatives. The role may be assigned or floated during a shift to inpatient units, crisis units, or the emergency room to meet patient-care needs. Care includes orienting patients to the unit, preparing them for assessments and procedures, monitoring and reporting changes in condition, collecting clinical data and specimens, performing directed procedures, and assisting with hygiene, comfort, meals, mobility, and transport. The technician also supports behavioral-health safety measures, including direct observation, safety checks, and assistance with seclusion or restraint under RN direction. Accurate documentation, communication with the care team, and care tailored to patients’ age and individual needs are essential.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Completion of one of the following: a Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, or Patient Care Technician program; a Fundamentals of Nursing program from an accredited nursing school; the HMH PCT Apprenticeship Program; or equivalent medical or behavioral-health experience such as EMT, Home Health Aide, CMA, MA, PCT, or Nursing Assistant.
Alternatively, actively pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, nursing, or a related field.
Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing patient needs.
Strong accountability, teamwork, commitment to ongoing education, and dedication to high-quality, patient-focused care and service.
AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience or certification in phlebotomy and checking EKGs, vital signs, and blood sugar.
At least one year of PCT, MHT, CNA, or other behavioral-health experience in a hospital setting; strongly preferred.
Experience with behavioral-health patients.
CNA, CMA, MHT, or PCT credentials, with successful completion of a PCT program that includes phlebotomy, EKG, and nursing-assistant coursework in both theoretical and clinical settings.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care appropriate to patients’ physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, age, and other needs.
Promote safe and effective patient outcomes through sound practice, judgment, and appropriate actions.
Communicate with patients, nursing colleagues, and other healthcare team members about patient status and care provided.
Participate in interdisciplinary care planning from admission through discharge to support safe transitions and continuity of care.
Participate in unit and department performance-improvement activities.
Welcome patients, verify identification bracelets, orient patients to the unit, and develop rapport with patients and their families or significant others.
Prepare patients for assessments, admissions, physical examinations, and procedures.
Participate in patient searches at admission, after return from pass, or as clinically indicated under RN direction and network policy.
Observe and report patients’ conditions, behavior, treatment reactions, and complaints to the nurse, psychiatrist, or other advanced practice professional.
Obtain and document clinical data, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation, and immediately report abnormal results to the RN.
Collect blood and other specimens using appropriate techniques; perform venipuncture as needed; label, process, and transport specimens correctly.
Perform EKGs and glucose finger sticks as needed and directed.
Ensure necessary equipment is available, functional, and clean; check inventory and restock as directed by the RN.
Apply bandages, slings, compression boots, and hypothermia blankets as needed and directed by the RN.
Support psychiatry consultation-liaison services when applicable by organizing equipment and directly observing patients and equipment during telehealth consultations.
Assist with patient transport to departments or units.
Provide one-to-one observation and perform documented safety checks at required intervals.
Assist with seclusion, restraint, and monitoring of agitated patients under RN direction, and document related checks in accordance with network policy.
Assist patients with meals or feeding as needed.
Prepare patient rooms for admission, particularly for behavioral-health patients.
Provide hygiene and comfort care, including bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, incontinence care, and bed making.
Assist patients with dressing and undressing; manage belongings and clothing in accordance with hospital policy, including property checklists and inspection of items brought during visits.
Receive visitors during visiting hours and maintain required safety checks and direct observation.
Provide post-mortem care as directed.
Facilitate group clinical treatment activities as directed.
Obtain and document patient weights and observe and document intake and output.
Respond promptly to call lights and immediately notify the RN of changes in a patient’s condition.
Adapt care to patient-specific needs, including age, culture, language, hearing, vision, developmental level, education, and literacy.
Complete paperwork and electronic records accurately and within procedural time limits.
Take initiative to improve job performance and patient service, and perform other assigned duties or projects.
Adhere to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.