Mental Health Technician Residency Program - January 2027 Cohort

UT Southwestern Medical Center • Dallas, TX

1d

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician works under supervision to provide mental health care to patients. The role supports patient care and the administrative and clinical operations of the assigned practice environment, following nursing and infection-control policies and performing only tasks for which training or competency has been validated. The position is part of the Mental Health Technician Residency Program, through which the employee must validate required core competencies and training.

The technician gathers and documents patient data, provides basic hygiene and supportive care, assists with treatment activities, monitors patients and the care environment, and promptly reports changes or concerns to nursing staff. The role also involves communicating respectfully with patients, families, visitors, and colleagues; supporting patient safety and satisfaction; and participating in ongoing education and required competencies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must achieve validation of required core competencies and training through the Mental Health Technician Residency Program.
• Must obtain and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 14 days of hire as a condition of continued employment; certification must be through the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Must complete an approved organizational de-escalation program within 180 days.

Responsibilities

• Collect and document intake and output, weight, temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and skin assessment data, considering age-specific needs.
• Recognize and immediately report assessment values outside normal parameters or changes in a patient's condition or behavior to the nurse.
• Perform sterile procedures in accordance with nursing and infection-control policies, including sterile gloving, dressing changes, and in-and-out catheterization.
• Assist in facilitating the treatment milieu and participate in codes to protect patients from harming themselves or others.
• Monitor patient sharps and valuables and label and handle them appropriately.
• Conduct walking, exercise, and community groups.
• Respond respectfully, positively, and promptly to patient requests for assistance.
• Provide basic hygiene care, check patients' skin during bathing, and promptly report abnormalities to the nurse.
• Make frequent patient rounds to provide comfort, positioning, toileting, and hygiene care, and tell patients when you will return.
• Transfer and transport patients safely in accordance with nursing policies and age-specific considerations; ensure patients are appropriately covered and wearing slippers.
• Welcome patients and families, knock before entering, introduce yourself, wear a name tag, and alert the nurse to unresolved concerns.
• Provide patient care under nursing staff direction and seek assistance or guidance as needed to support safe, high-quality care.
• Assess and monitor environmental, patient, and family needs, and initiate service recovery while escalating concerns through the chain of command.
• Prepare, update, and share reports at shift change and when a patient's condition changes.
• Orient new staff and students to work areas and collaborate with nursing staff and hospital employees.
• Support administrative and clinical operations in the assigned practice environment and build trusting relationships through open, interactive communication with the healthcare team.
• Maintain compliance with ongoing annual education requirements, including modules, classes, and competencies.
• Use downtime to assist others or provide additional support to patients and families.
• Take accountability for workplace actions and promptly report errors.
• Perform sitter duties as needed and document as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available on day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage.
• Preventive healthcare coverage at 100% with no copay.
• Paid time off, available on day one.
• Retirement programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Paid parental leave.
• Wellness programs.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.

What This Job Offers

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