Mental Health Technician, Per Diem, Rotating, Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, Cherry Hill
About The Position
The Mental Health Technician assists in delivering patient- and family-centered care in an adult inpatient behavioral health unit. The role involves observing patient behaviors, supporting various aspects of patient care, and working closely with the R.N. The technician reports changes in a patient's mood or behavior in a timely manner and helps provide safe, compassionate, coordinated care that respects patients' preferences, priorities, needs, and cultural beliefs and values. The technician communicates with patients, families, designated care partners, and the interprofessional team; uses therapeutic communication and offers emotional support; and responds to observed behaviors using verbal de-escalation and established safety protocols. The role also includes supporting group activities, assisting with patient care and daily activities, maintaining a safe and clean care environment, completing documentation, and participating in assigned meetings and work groups.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED, completion of a supervised mental health or addiction practicum, 12 college credits in social sciences, and two years of experience in mental health or addictions care; or a bachelor's degree in humanities or social services and one year of experience in mental health or addictions care.
- Knowledge of behavioral treatment techniques and procedures.
- Ability to manage and maintain high-quality behavioral therapeutic interventions for a diverse mental health population.
- Familiarity with and knowledge of Jefferson Health operating principles and code of ethics, and ability to apply this understanding appropriately in healthcare situations.
- Knowledge of health information relevance and appropriate documentation requirements.
- Knowledge of risks faced by patients in a healthcare environment and ability to take steps to reduce those risks.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting and carrying 40–50 pounds, frequent to continuous standing and walking, and role-specific activities such as kneeling, bending, squatting, or performing CPR.
Nice To Haves
- High school diploma or GED and at least one year of related healthcare experience is preferred for non-Philadelphia County Jefferson campuses.
Responsibilities
- Recognize patients and their families or designated care partners while providing safe, compassionate, coordinated care that respects individual preferences, needs, and cultural beliefs and values.
- Communicate effectively with the interprofessional team, patients, families, designated care partners, staff, and other customers through written, telephone, and verbal interactions.
- Use therapeutic communication skills and offer emotional support to patients.
- Use verbal de-escalation in response to observed patient behaviors and follow established protocols for safe management.
- Promote patient safety by observing behaviors and completing scheduled rounding.
- Lead or assist with community meetings, recreational groups, and other unit activities.
- Assist the R.N. with patient care activities in accordance with established unit protocols and competencies.
- Help maintain a safe, neat, and clean patient care environment.
- Assist patients with personal care, ambulation, and feeding, encouraging independent completion when possible.
- Provide direct safety observation for assigned patients when needed.
- Complete required documentation accurately and efficiently according to hospital policy and department guidelines.
- Participate in unit, hospital, and division meetings and work groups as assigned.
- May participate in orienting new staff.
- Report changes in patients' mood or behavior to the R.N. in a timely manner.
Benefits
- Medical insurance, including prescription coverage
- Supplemental insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life and AD&D insurance
- Short- and long-term disability
- Flexible spending accounts
- Retirement plans
- Tuition assistance
- Voluntary benefits, including access to group insurance rates and discounts
- Tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full-time service or two years of part-time service
- Medical insurance, including prescription coverage, is available to all colleagues, including per diem colleagues
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
