Mental Health Technician - Comprehensive Services Unit - FT Nights

Hackensack Meridian Health • Montgomery, NJ

15d • $21

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician provides direct and indirect care to a specific patient population as part of an interdisciplinary team. Under the direction of a registered nurse, the technician supports patient satisfaction, comfort, safety, and desired care outcomes, and assists with patient-, unit-, and environment-related tasks. The role includes participating in patient-safety initiatives and may require floating during a shift to inpatient units, crisis units, or the emergency room to meet patient-care needs.

Care is adapted to patients’ physical, psychosocial, educational, developmental, cultural, language, and accessibility needs. The technician communicates with patients, families, nursing colleagues, and other healthcare professionals; observes and reports changes in patient condition; participates in care planning and transitions from admission through discharge; and contributes to performance-improvement activities.

The position may include patient orientation and admission preparation; safety checks and direct observation; assistance with seclusion, restraint, and agitated patients under RN direction; collection of clinical measurements and specimens; venipuncture and EKGs as needed; hygiene, comfort, mobility, meals, and transport assistance; maintaining equipment and room readiness; documenting care and safety checks; and facilitating group treatment activities as directed. Other duties and projects may be assigned. The role requires adherence to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent GED program.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing patient needs.
• Strong accountability for improving the lives of patients and caregivers.
• Strong teamwork focus.
• Dedication to ongoing education.
• Ability and commitment to provide high-quality care and service with a strong patient focus.
• AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP certification within 60 days of entering the position.

Nice To Haves

• Phlebotomy experience or certification.
• Experience checking EKGs, vital signs, and blood sugar.
• At least one year of PCT, MHT, CNA, or other behavioral health experience in a hospital setting.
• Experience with behavioral health patients.
• Certification as a Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Mental Health Technician, or Patient Care Technician; for PCTs, successful completion of a program including 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.
• Take initiative to improve job performance and support patient care.
• 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 build rapport with patients and their families or significant others.
• Prepare patients for assessment, admission, physical examinations, and procedures.
• Participate in patient searches at admission, after return from pass, or when clinically indicated, under RN direction and in accordance with network policy.
• Observe and report patient condition, behavior, treatment reactions, and complaints to the nurse, psychiatrist, or other advanced practice professional.
• Obtain and document clinical measurements such as temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation as needed, and promptly notify the RN of abnormal results.
• Collect intravenous or capillary blood and perform venipuncture as needed, using aseptic techniques and correctly labeling and processing specimens.
• Collect, label, and transport specimens to the appropriate area at the appropriate time.
• Perform EKGs as needed and directed.
• Ensure necessary equipment is present, functional, and clean.
• Apply bandages, slings, compression boots, and hypothermia blankets as needed and directed by the RN.
• Support psychiatry consultation-liaison services where applicable by setting up equipment and directly observing the patient and equipment during telehealth consultations.
• Assist with patient transport to departments or units when requested.
• Provide one-to-one observation as needed to monitor patient safety.
• Assist with seclusion, restraint, and monitoring of agitated patients under RN direction.
• Document seclusion, restraint, precaution, and 15-minute check information in accordance with network policy; perform and document 5-, 15-, and 30-minute safety checks.
• Assist with meal preparation and help or feed patients as needed.
• Check inventory in assigned areas and restock as directed by the RN.
• Prepare room environments 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 patient belongings and property checklists according to hospital policy; inspect clothing and property brought during visits; and monitor return of clothing to family.
• Receive visitors during visiting hours and maintain safety checks and direct observation as required.
• Perform and document glucose finger sticks and collect other specimens as needed and directed.
• 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.
• Promote a safe patient environment by answering call lights promptly and immediately communicating changes in patient condition to the RN.
• Adapt care and communication to patient needs, including age, culture, language, hearing or visual impairment, developmental level, education, and literacy.
• Complete paperwork and electronic records accurately and within procedural time limits.
• Perform other assigned duties or projects and adhere to HMH organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Benefits

• Health benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• Paid leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement benefits
• Some positions may be eligible for shift differentials for evening, night, or weekend work

What This Job Offers

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