Mental Health Technician Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Current CPR Certified
• Current CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Certified
• New hires have 60 days to become certified in both CPR and CPI; during this time, new hires are not assigned patients.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates groups and activities, including planning and implementing specialty groups and health teaching groups.
• Documents patient progress in group activities, especially during weekend time.
• Assists Activity Therapists, Social Workers, and Nurses as directed.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries with patients and demonstrates understanding of therapeutic relationships.
• Maintains documentation in accordance with departmental/facility standards and regulatory requirements.
• Communicates with non-judgmental statements regarding patient behavior.
• Under supervision, observes, records, and reports activities of patients requiring special precautions, completing appropriate observation logs.
• Utilizes interventions and limits that are direct, timely, non-threatening, and effective in de-escalating patients or altering behavior.
• Leads a crisis team within the milieu, providing direction for policy-based resolution.
• De-escalates potentially dangerous situations, including the proper use of time outs, locked seclusion, or restraints.
• Uses good judgment in reporting clinically pertinent observations of patients or situations requiring nursing expertise or technical follow-up to the charge nurse or other supervisor.
• Performs technical nursing care assignments as directed by a licensed nurse, such as collecting specimens, weighing patients, and taking vital signs.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment by reporting equipment issues, cleaning equipment, and receiving linen and supply stock.
• Assists with and accompanies patients during admission, transfer, and discharge procedures.
• Initiates and conducts searches of patients and their belongings within established guidelines to monitor for contraband and maintain a safe environment.
• Facilitates orderly and therapeutic patient visits with families.
• Attends and contributes feedback in staff meetings, and may initiate and lead staff meetings.
• Takes personal responsibility for increasing staff morale and positive attitude on the unit.
• Assists the Charge Nurse in assigning staff to groups and duties when requested.
• Acts as a preceptor to new MHTs during their orientation.
• Performs additional job-related duties as required and necessary within the scope of job responsibilities, including taking initiative to complete unassigned tasks.