Mental Health Technician, Mental Health Unit

Heywood Hospital•Gardner, MA

1d•$22 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) provides direct, supportive care to patients receiving inpatient behavioral health services. The MHT works as an integral member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and supports a safe, therapeutic, and structured environment for patients. The MHT assists with monitoring patient behavior and safety, implementing individualized treatment interventions, facilitating therapeutic and recreational activities, supporting activities of daily living, and maintaining a clean and therapeutic milieu. The MHT is expected to demonstrate professionalism, compassion, sound judgment, effective communication, and the ability to maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries when working with patients experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
AHA BLS CPR required or obtained within 60 days of hire.
DMH approved hands on de-escalation training within 30 days of hire for DMH certified units and 60 days for other locations.
Mental Health/Behavioral Health experience required.
Limited hands on care required.

Responsibilities

Provide direct, compassionate, and respectful care to patients in accordance with established policies, procedures, and individualized treatment plans.
Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries with patients.
Support patients in developing and practicing appropriate coping, communication, and behavioral skills.
Promote patient independence while providing appropriate support and supervision.
Maintain continuous awareness of the patient and unit environment to promote safety.
Follow procedures related to contraband, patient belongings, searches, elopement precautions, suicide/self-harm precautions, and other identified safety risks.
Conduct environmental and safety checks as assigned. Maintain awareness of patient legal status, precautions, restrictions, and individualized safety needs.
Communicate effectively with nurses, providers, social workers, therapists, case managers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
Assist with documenting patient belongings from admission through discharge.
Maintain knowledge of patient orders for restricted items and work collaboratively with MHU staff to ensure restricted items are signed in/out as applicable.
Provide supportive listening and emotional support to patients when opportunities arise, allowing patients to express concerns, feelings, or needs while maintaining appropriate professional and therapeutic boundaries.
Ability to work effectively with patients experiencing psychiatric, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral difficulties.
Help redirect inappropriate behaviors using approved de-escalation and behavioral management techniques. Promptly notify the unit manager or charge nurse.
Assist with patient fresh air break adhering to current policy requirements.
Maintain working knowledge of current fresh air requirements.
Attend to patient needs as requested including, but not limited to nutritional replenishment, telephone charging, retrieving showering toiletries, and assist patients with patient laundering.
Ensure that nursing inspects all items brought in for the patient by visitors.
Other duties as assigned.