Job summary
The Mental Health Technician (MHT) provides direct patient care to patients in daily living such as assistance with bathing, eating, dressing, and toileting under the supervision of nurses. MHT’s provide the provision of a safe, therapeutic environment, and crisis intervention. Because they serve in close contact with patients, Mental Health Technicians may encounter violent patients or crisis situations.
Essential job duties
- To perform this job, an individual must accomplish each essential function satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation.
- Measure vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate).
- Provide direct patient care such as bathing, dressing, and walking.
- Turn and reposition patients to prevent skin breakdown.
- Change bed linens.
- Record amount of oral intake and measure urinary output.
- Supply/empty bed pans.
- Interact with patients and family in a professional manner.
- Transport patients and equipment.
- Monitor patients for assessments and report to supervisor.
- Follow infectious disease precautions to prevent spread of infections.
- Assist with the monitoring of a safe and therapeutic work environment.
- Complete admission paperwork and patient orientation to the hospital.
- Participate and assist with recreational activities for patients.
- Adheres to compliance of restraint and seclusion guidelines.
- Participate and assist with therapeutic activities for patients.
- Request direction and supervision when needed.
- Complete appropriate documentation in a manner that is organized, clear, complete, current and legible.
- Ensure compliance in the completion, filing, and retrieval of medical records.
- Work designated schedule.
- Other duties as assigned.
Job requirements
- Adhere to and respect all policies regarding patient rights, anonymity, and confidentiality of all patient records past and present, including any written or verbal communications regarding patient identity, address and situation.
- Promote and adhere to cultural competency in patients, visitors, physicians, co-workers, vendors, supervisors, and management
- Function in a friendly, supportive, courteous, respectful, cooperative, and professional manner with patients, families, physicians, referral sources, visitors, coworkers, and management
- Promote, adhere, and monitor for a drug and violence free workplace
- Report incidents to supervisor
- Successful completion of required training
- Handle multiple priorities effectively
- Abide by attendance guidelines
Required knowledge / Skills
- Must be compassionate and truly interested in helping others
- Must be patient, honest, good communicators, good observer, and capable of handling tough stressful, and crisis situations
- Displays flexibility, cooperation, and positive attitude regarding work
- Practices de-escalation techniques and therapeutic rapport toward patients
- Knowledgeable in the needs of the patients served and patient rights
- Knowledgeable in admission criteria for patients and ability to screen for criteria
- Knowledgeable in restraints and seclusion laws, regulations and requirements
- Knowledgeable and demonstrates the mission of the hospital
- Promotion of the reduction of stigma of mental illness
- Knowledgeable of the persons served and their rights
- Advocate for the needs of the persons served
- Required
- Computer
- Software/Equipment used:
- Various operating systems
- Standard office equipment
- Microsoft Suite applications
- Desktop, laptop and/or iPad
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Standard medical equipment
Required qualifications
- Experience: o One (1) to two (2) years’ experience in a mental health, patient care, or geriatric setting preferred
- License/Certification: o Certified as a Certified Nurse Assistant o CPI certification
- Will be trained at the next available class. Until then, the employee will not be assigned one-on-one patient care and will be supervised by a CPI certified healthcare professional. o CMS Restraint and Seclusion training (or training completed prior to direct patient care) with yearly refreshers o CPR certification
- Will be trained at the next available class. Until then, the employee will not be assigned one-on-one patient care and will be supervised by a CPR certified healthcare professional.
Supervisory responsibilities
- Does not have supervisory responsibilities
- Supervisor frequently determines priorities
- Occasionally needs manager’s direction due to extraordinary circumstances
Working conditions
- Audio-Visual: Good
- Hearing: Good
- Ability to lift to 50 pounds
- Pathogens: Risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other contagious illnesses
- Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, pushing and pulling ,use of hands
- Work is typically performed in a well-lit; comfortable temperature-controlled
- Above-average conversational noise is frequent
- Position may require flexible hours, unscheduled overtime or occasional week-end work
- Must be able to speak and write in English
- Travel may be required The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Safety expectations
- Work safely and follow safety rules
- Report unsafe working conditions and behaviors
- Take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent others from engaging in unsafe practices
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER This Organization is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or any other characteristic(s) protected by federal, state, and local laws. This Organization will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities should a request for an accommodation be made.
