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 to support the treatment of psychiatric inpatients. The role provides direct care to patients, including support with physical care and hygiene, activities of daily living, and mental health needs for children and adults. The technician performs treatment and diagnostic procedures such as EKGs, phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans, and assists with patient intakes as required. The technician documents patient behaviors and interactions in electronic medical records, contributes input to treatment plans, responds to emergency or crisis calls, and works as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team. Patient care is performed in collaboration with and under the direction of an RN. The role also includes supporting staff and student learning, assisting with new-personnel orientation, maintaining competencies, and engaging in continuing education and professional development.

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 related major.
For candidates with less than one year of experience: at least six months of direct-care experience, including individual and group counseling skills, preferably in an acute behavioral healthcare or behavioral education setting. Direct-care experience may include a formal internship or clinical practicum.
For candidates with one year of experience: one year of experience in behavioral health.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and adapt readily to emergency situations.
Ability to speak clearly and be understood by listeners.
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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Nursing, Medicine, or Healthcare Administration.
One year of direct-care experience including 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 patients, including children and adults.
Perform treatment and diagnostic procedures, including EKGs, phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans.
Assist with patient intakes as required.
Document observed client behaviors during the shift and enter information into electronic medical records.
Accept emergency and crisis calls; respond to front-line first-responder needs by telephone and triage calls based on intensity, service needs, timing, and staff assignment.
Assist patients with physical care, hygiene, and activities of daily living in accordance with treatment-plan goals, interventions, and unit-specific guidelines.
Offer input used to formulate and revise treatment plans.
Work as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and perform patient care in collaboration with and under the direction of an RN.
Conduct an independent study of relevant current literature and present it to staff annually.
Demonstrate at least one specified behavior supporting 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 in the professional learning of others and serve as a resource for students.
Assist with orientation of new personnel and support the professional practice model.