Mental Health Technician

Schuylkill•Bethlehem, PA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Assists in planning and implementing individual patient care and therapeutic milieu groups to support treatment of psychiatric inpatients. Provides direct care and mental health support to children and adults, assists with intakes as required, and performs treatment and diagnostic procedures such as EKGs, phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans. Documents patient interactions and maintains complete records for decision-making staff and authorities. Performs patient care activities in collaboration with and under the direction of an RN.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least one year of experience in a related human-services field, such as healthcare, social services, criminal justice, education, or pastoral care; or at least one year of college credits, preferably in psychology, sociology, social work, special education, nursing, healthcare administration, or medicine.
For candidates with less than one year of experience: at least six months of direct-care experience, including individual and group counseling skills; experience in an acute behavioral healthcare or behavioral education setting is preferred. Direct care may include a professional formal internship or clinical practicum. Alternatively, one year of behavioral health experience is specified.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient information and adapt readily to emergency situations.
Ability to speak clearly so listeners can understand.
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 that includes 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

Documents observed client behaviors during the shift in electronic medical records.
Accepts emergency and crisis calls; responds to first-responder needs by telephone and triages calls according to intensity, service needs, critical timing, and staff assignment.
Assists patients with physical care, hygiene, and activities of daily living in accordance with treatment-plan goals, interventions, and unit guidelines.
Conducts independent study of relevant literature and presents findings to staff annually.
Demonstrates at least one behavior supporting the professional practice model, such as clinical supervision, committee participation, performance-improvement monitoring, scheduling coordination, patient-care measurement, satisfaction follow-up, or peer review.
Maintains competencies according to established procedures and department- or unit-specific assessment criteria.
Provides input for formulating and revising treatment plans and performs treatment and diagnostic procedures.
Pursues personal and professional growth through continuing education and self-directed learning.
Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, participates in the professional learning of others, and serves as a resource for students.
Assists with orientation of new personnel and supports the professional practice model.
Provides direct patient care in collaboration with and under the direction of an RN.