Mental Health Technician
About The Position
Assists with planning and implementing individual patient care and therapeutic milieu groups for psychiatric inpatients, provides direct care, and supports children and adults with mental health needs. Performs treatment and diagnostic procedures, including EKGs, phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans. Assists with patient intakes as required, documents patient interactions and behaviors, and maintains complete records for staff and authorities. Performs patient care activities in collaboration with and under the direction of an RN. The position is onsite at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono in Pennsylvania and works the night shift, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., including every other weekend and every other holiday.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED and at least one year of college credits; specified fields are preferred but not required.
- At least six months of direct care experience, including individual and group counseling skills; experience in acute behavioral health care or behavioral education is preferred. Direct care may include a formal internship or clinical practicum.
- One year of behavioral health experience.
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and adapt readily to emergency situations.
- Ability to speak clearly and be understood.
- 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.
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification for Pennsylvania within 180 days.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Nursing, Medicine, or Healthcare Administration.
- Direct care experience in an acute behavioral healthcare setting or behavioral education setting.
Responsibilities
- Assist in planning and implementing individual patient care and therapeutic milieu groups for psychiatric inpatients.
- Provide direct care services and assist patients with physical care, hygiene, and activities of daily living in accordance with treatment plans and unit guidelines.
- Perform treatment and diagnostic procedures, including EKGs, phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans.
- Provide mental health support to children and adults and assist with intakes as required.
- Document observed client behaviors and interactions in electronic medical records, maintaining complete records for staff and authorities.
- Accept emergency and crisis calls; respond to front-line needs by telephone and triage calls according to intensity, service needs, timing, and staff assignment.
- Offer input in formulating and revising treatment plans.
- Conduct independent study of relevant literature and present findings to staff annually.
- Demonstrate at least one behavior supporting the professional practice model, such as clinical supervision, committee participation, performance-improvement monitoring, scheduling coordination, patient satisfaction follow-up, or peer review.
- Maintain competencies according to established procedures and department or unit assessment criteria.
- Participate in continuing education and self-directed learning for professional growth.
- Function as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, support the professional learning of others, and serve as a resource for students.
- Assist with orientation of new personnel and support the professional practice model.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
