The Mental Health Technician is a member of the nursing team on the Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit. Provides direct and indirect patient care for clients with mental health diagnosis in the form of supervision, processing, and psychiatric intervention. Provides for personal care, comfort, assists with a safe and clean environment, and maintains equipment and supplies. Documents appropriately in clinical record.

NON-EXEMPT

Performs patient care responsibilities considering needs specific to the standard of care for the patient's age.

Monitors patients for safety according to physician orders and nursing measures

Leads and supports psychoeducational groups for patients on subjects including, health and wellness, activities, coping skills, recovery planning, etc.

Ability to demonstrate unit specific competency (see skills checklist)

Provides patient care that meets the psychosocial and physical needs of the patient including assistance with ADLs

Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, weight and intake-output.

Responds to psychiatric crisis and assists the team in the de-escalation process

Builds rapport with clients and engages them in activities and programing

Observes patient's mental and physical conditions and reports any changes to nurse.

Monitors visitor, cameras and doors ways to ensure safety on the inpatient psychiatric unit.

Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly.

Answers telephone in a professional, polite manner communicating information to appropriate personnel/family.

Perform 1:1 on client with higher risk behavioral needs, including being reassigned to other units, if the need arises.

Documentation meets current standards and policies.

Treats patients and families with professionalism, respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families. Functions as liaison between administration, patients, physicians and other healthcare providers.

Maintains a good working relationship with staff members and other departments.

Performs all aspects of direct and indirect patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety.

Adheres to the policies and procedures of the Department of Nursing and the facility.

Orders supplies.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with pressure to meet deadlines, to be accurate, and to handle constantly changing situations.

Answers phones, requests records, monitor faxes an disseminates clerical information at the direction of nurses.

Demonstrates the ability to deal with a variety of people, deal with stressful situations, and handle conflict.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Professional Requirements:

Adheres to dress code. Wears identification while on duty.

Completes annual educational requirements.

Maintains regulatory requirements.

Maintains confidentiality at all times.

Attends department staff meetings as required within the department.

Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work in designated time.

Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.

Coordinates efforts in meeting regulatory compliance, federal, state and local regulations and standards

Communicates and complies with the Benefis Health System Mission, Vision and Values as well as the focus statement of the department.

Complies with Benefis Health System Organization Policies and Procedures.

Complies with Health and Safety Standards and Guidelines.