Mental Health Technician (MHT) 3p-11p

SUN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUP•Georgetown, DE

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician provides direct and indirect patient care under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse. The role supports the personal care and comfort of psychiatric patients, helps maintain a safe and clean environment, and participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities. The position is full-time, based at SUN Behavioral Delaware in Georgetown, Delaware, and works an evening shift from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The technician monitors and documents patients’ physical and behavioral status, assists with daily care and treatment activities, and supports safety and de-escalation procedures under nursing direction. The role also contributes to patient orientation, therapeutic groups, treatment team communication, staff orientation, and the hospital’s safety, quality, teamwork, integrity, and compassionate-care standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
CPR certification.
Certification in the hospital-selected de-escalation technique.
Previous experience in a healthcare setting.
Maintain education and development appropriate for the position.
May substitute experience for education; may substitute education for experience.

Nice To Haves

Some college classes.
Certified Nursing Assistant certification.
One year of experience as a behavioral health technician.

Responsibilities

Measure and record patient vital signs, intake, and output, and notify the RN of changes.
Continuously observe patient behavior, mental status, and activities; identify behaviors requiring intervention and report changes or unusual occurrences to the RN.
Escort patients off the unit for activities, meals, visitation, and scheduled tests.
Complete and document scheduled patient safety checks, including 15-minute observation rounds.
Assist with physical holds and patient seclusion under RN direction, using CPI techniques and following policies and procedures.
Set limits for patients and use de-escalation techniques.
Maintain documentation in accordance with current standards and policies.
Answer telephone calls professionally, direct calls, and take messages.
Operate equipment safely and correctly.
Orient patients to the unit and record admission vital signs on the Nursing Assessment Form and/or in the EHR.
Participate in treatment team meetings and communicate clearly with the Nurse Manager, RNs, therapists, and physicians.
Assist with orientation of new staff members.
Assist with therapeutic educational groups under the direction of the RN or Director of Clinical Services.
Provide one-on-one observation and constant visual observation for high-risk patients.
Assist patients who need additional care related to medical needs.
Monitor compliance with pre- and post-procedure instructions, including ECT instructions, under RN supervision.
Provide general nursing care, including transferring patients, assisting with activities of daily living, and helping with meals.
Help create a safe, healing environment for patients and family members; follow safety rules, promptly report near misses, errors, and accidents, and correct minor hazards.
Communicate workplace hazards to peers and management; attend required safety programs and participate in assigned quality projects and initiatives.
Work cooperatively with colleagues and build collaborative relationships with patients, families, staff, and physicians.
Retrieve, communicate, and present information verbally and in writing; demonstrate listening and communication skills and adhere to the Standards of Behavior.
Follow established standards, policies, procedures, protocols, laws, HIPAA, and other privacy requirements; maintain confidentiality and complete proper documentation.
Use supplies and facility resources responsibly and complete required training within established time periods.
Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, compassion, cultural acceptance, good attendance, and a positive attitude.
Perform other duties as assigned.