Overview
The Mental Health Technician (MHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic setting by performing routinely assigned tasks and carrying out patient care activities within the scope of the MHT's training and experience. The MHT will maintain a safe and professional standard for patient care in accordance with Federal and State regulations, policies and procedures and accreditation and quality standards
Responsibilities
Continually monitors and enforces compliance with unit rules.Effectively applies supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibitunacceptable behavior.
Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation, crisis intervention, and therapeuticinterventions as needed.
Completes unit safety checks.Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed.Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attendsrequired in-services to keep self-informed.
Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursingpersonnel.
Performs vital signs, weights, ADL monitoring, nutritional monitoring, and communicatesfindings to the nurse.
Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings asneeded.
Assists at risk/physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific/disability/cultural sensitivity needs ofthe patient.
Communicates and documents patient observation and date effectively.Documents patient's departure from unit with 100% accuracy and within defined timelines.Documents significant occurrences, observed behavior, vital signs, nutrition intake and patientobservation findings on assigned patients and as requested by the registered nurse, with
100% accuracy and within defined timelines.
Communicates outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner.Communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities, incomplete assignments, ongoingactivities and current patient needs to relevant staff to assure continuity of care.
Escorts patients in and out of weekly Treatment Team meetings and in and out of visits withpractitioners and therapists.
Performs goals and activity groups to keep patients engaged outside of required therapygroups and report findings to clinical services.
Performs other duties and projects as assigned.Qualifications
- High school graduate or equivalent.
- Certified Nursing Assistant preferred
- At least 1 year experience working with psychiatric patients in an inpatient setting preferred
- Valid driver’s license
- Crisis intervention experience preferred
