Mental Health Technician (36 hrs/week)

Tufts Medicine•Boston, MA

4d•$20 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

This role focuses on providing professional and nonprofessional nursing care services in accordance with physician orders. It involves performing Nursing Support duties, providing basic care services to patients without an RN or LPN license, and working under the direction of physicians, mid-level practitioners, and potentially registered nurses. This is a clinical technologist role with specialized knowledge or skills gained through vocational education, training, and experience, commonly applied to patient care. It is an experienced-level role requiring basic knowledge of job procedures and tools, working under moderate supervision, and handling routine problems with occasional interpretation or deviation from standard procedures. The position operates according to the policies, procedures, philosophy, and objectives of the department and hospital, working cooperatively with other services to create a system of quality health care. Under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, this position provides physical and emotional care to patients on an assigned unit as a member of the patient care team.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One (1) year of applicable experience in mental health services, addiction recovery.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Behavioral Sciences
Three (3) years of applicable experience working with psychiatric patients.

Responsibilities

Monitors the patient’s condition through general observations, taking vital signs neurological signs and determining weights and heights. Administers physical care and personal hygiene measures to assigned patients as appropriate.
Establishes a therapeutic and helping relationship with assigned patients and helps patients with daily living activities such as daily hygiene, showering and clothing. Responds promptly and appropriately to the needs and requests of patients as appropriate.
Facilitates effective patient reports. At the beginning of each shift, receives a report and an assignment from the nurse at the beginning of each shift. During the shift and after the shift, Communicates pertinent observations and information regarding the patient’s condition to the nurse.
Assists the nurse or physician during exams and procedures. Completes specimen collection and test measurements. Observes the patient’s condition during and after the procedure as directed and supervised by the RN.
Assists in the pre-admission and discharge process as requested. This may include recording vital signs, checking ID bracelets, orienting patients to the unit and escorting patients and their families to the exit.
Assists with administrative duties such as documenting observations and activity of patient. Requires keeping detailed records, reporting changes in patients' behavior to the clinical care team.
Transports patients, equipment and specimens to designated areas.
Maintains the patient environment and the nursing unit in a clean, neat and safe manner.
Assists in managing meal times. Ensure that patients have received the proper meal trays and observes patients’ nutritional intake. Assists in setting up patient’s tray and feeding patient when appropriate.
Provides assistance during Code 99s by calling the page operator, obtaining equipment, transporting specimens and observing and assisting the other patients on the unit.
Assists in monitoring the safety of the unit.
Participates in the implementation of the treatment plan.
Participates in milieu activities and groups. Observes and reports patients’ interactions in the milieu.
Intervenes in crisis situations in collaboration with nurses and other mental health team members to maintain safety of patients and staff, and to promote therapeutic outcomes.
When assigned and following the established protocol, remains in constant attendance with patients who are suicidal or have behavioral problems.