Mental Health Technician

Lehigh Valley Health Network•Bethlehem, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician assists in planning and implementing individual patient care and therapeutic milieu groups for psychiatric inpatients. The role provides direct care and mental health support to children and adults, assists with intakes, and performs treatment and diagnostic procedures such as EKGs, phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans. The technician documents patient interactions and maintains complete records to support decision-making staff and authorities, working collaboratively with and under the direction of an RN. This position is based at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg in an onsite setting. It is a part-time day-shift role with a 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. schedule, an every-third-weekend rotation, and two rotating holidays annually.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and at least one year of experience in a related human services field, such as healthcare, social services, criminal justice, education, or pastoral care; alternatively, at least one year of college credits, preferably in a relevant field.
For candidates with less than one year of experience: at least six months of direct-care experience involving individual and group counseling skills is required; experience in acute behavioral healthcare or behavioral education is preferred. Direct care may include formal internships or clinical practicum experience.
Alternatively, 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 solve problems.
Ability to recognize others' reactions and understand possible causes.
Knowledge of mental health and/or substance abuse.
Individual and group counseling skills.
BLS (Basic Life Support) certification from the American Heart Association upon hire.
Ability to lift and carry 40–50 pounds, including assisting with patient movement and transfers.
Frequent to continuous standing and walking; patient transporters may walk 8–10 miles per shift.
May need to kneel, bend, squat, and perform CPR, depending on role.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Nursing, Medicine, or Healthcare Administration.
One year of direct-care experience involving individual and group counseling skills in an acute behavioral healthcare setting.
Previous direct-care experience in a behavioral health setting and working knowledge of mental health technician practices.

Responsibilities

Assist in planning and implementing individual patient care and therapeutic milieu groups for psychiatric inpatients.
Provide direct care and mental health support to children and adults; 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 in electronic medical records and maintain complete records.
Accept emergency and crisis calls; respond to front-line needs by telephone and triage calls according to intensity, service needs, timing, and staff assignment.
Assist patients with physical care, hygiene, and activities of daily living, following treatment-plan goals, interventions, and unit-specific guidelines.
Provide input into 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, scheduling coordination, PCC measurement, patient satisfaction follow-up, or peer review.
Maintain competencies according to established procedures and department- or unit-specific assessment criteria.
Participate in continuing education and self-directed learning for personal and professional development.
Participate as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, support others' professional learning, 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.