Mental Health Technician

Company: Strategic Behavioral Health
Location: College Station
Posted on: June 20, 2020

Job Description:

Mental Health Technician


Job DetailsLevel EntryJob Location Rock Prairie Behavioral Health - College Station, TXPosition Type Full TimeEducation Level NoneSalary Range UndisclosedTravel Percentage NoneJob Shift AnyJob Category Health CareDescription
Position Title:

Resident Advisor (RA)/Mental Health Technician(MHT)

Department:

Nursing

Report To:

Registered Nurse

Date Approved:

07/31/2015 Department Approval:

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Chief Executive Officer Approval:
LADDER: CLINICAL CATEGORY: CLINICAL

POSITION SUMMARY

Upon completion of orientation and under direct supervision, provides a therapeutic milieu to an assigned psychiatric patient population. Workday is spent observing, encouraging and recording the patients involvement in activities of daily living, individualized gains towards prescribed interventions and psychosocial interactions. The RA/MHT is highly vigilant in supervision, whereabouts and minimizing risks of all patients. Continuously serving as a professional role model, the RA/MHT understands the programs terms, values and structure in support of the recovery goals. Uses strong verbal and written communication to inform the treatment team of both need-to-know and nice-to-know information. Due to the high visibility and significant patient interaction, this position is frequently the first responder to a variety of patient situations i.e. codes, behavioral outburst, attempts to introduce contraband and medical issue. The RA/MHT adjusts therapeutic approach to acuity, age, gender and cultural considerations. The RA/MHT position is often a springboard to other professional roles or increasing responsibility for milieu leadership.

Education / Licensure:

Candidate will possess an accredited high school diploma or successfully pass the High School Equivalence Examination. Preference is given to those with a degree or considerable coursework in the behavioral sciences or closely related field, and/or professional work experience in a psychiatric hospital or residential treatment center. Some populations may require the additional endorsement of a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Skills:

1) General understanding of the more commonly prescribed psychotropic medications and possible side-effects i.e. detect and timely involve nursing personnel; 2) Ability to apply cultural sensitivity and age specific competencies; 3) Effectively applies program approved policies and procedures; 4) Prepares documentation to give the most complete description of the patients response and functioning; 5) Continuously alert to potential safety risks and unsafe conditions; and 6) Coordinate care within a multidisciplinary team framework.

Additional Requirements:

Timely renewal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for healthcare professionals certification, annual professional skills verification and Handle with Care (psychiatric crisis management) certification.

AGES and POPULATIONS SERVED

SBH provides access and services to all persons meeting admission and continuing stay criteria without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, military status, veteran status, medical status, handicap or mental/physical disability. Our patient population reflects the fullest diversity of the community in which we serve. All staff are to conduct themselves with respect and consideration for others, and to appropriately intervene in situations below this standard.

Child (age 1 12 years): [ x ] YES [ ] NO Verified 00/00/00

Adolescent (age 13 17 years): [ x ] YES [ ] NO Verified 00/00/00

Adult (age 18 64 years): [ x ] YES [ ] NO Verified 00/00/00

Geriatric (age 65 years +): [ x ] YES [ ] NO Verified 00/00/00

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Service

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• In-person and telephone communication is consistently attentive, responsive and reflects helpfulness.
  
  
• Professional awareness and boundaries are observed. Unnecessary self-disclosure is minimized.
  
  
• Telephones are answered by the third ring whenever possible and a professional greeting. Dedicated extensions/mobile phones with voice mail have a personalized greeting, and messages retrieved/responded to in a timely manner.
  
  
• Critical customer encounters are met with advanced customer service skills and resolved.
  
  Nursing Services
  
  
  
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  • Safely and accurately performs vital signs, electrocardiograms, body weight and input/outputs. Notes indicators that requires nursing assessment by a registered nurse.
    
    
  • Partners with nursing during medication administration to reduce potential for a medication error.
    
    
  • Observes and assist patients with personal hygiene and maintaining personal living space.
    
    
  • Accompanies patients to outside medical appointments.
    
    
  • Attends and participates in treatment team meetings as assigned.
    
    Therapeutic Milieu
    
    
    
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    • Begins shift by receiving report, knowing scheduled activities and reviewing assigned patients condition.
      
      
    • Upon admission, obtains initial information/data, searches patient/belonging to ensure no introduction of contraband, records belongings, orient and introduces the patient to their assigned unit.
      
      
    • Proactively prepares self and assigned patients to transitions, group structure and adheres to program schedule.
      
      
    • Observes group members dynamics and takes initiative to reduce problematic behaviors.
      
      
    • High visibility during increased acuity and takes an active role with indicated interventions.
      
      
    • When conducting psycho-educational groups, comes prepared with materials and utilizes facilitation techniques in support of an effective group process.
      
      
    • Records patient observations during indicated timeframe i.e. after-the-fact documentation isnt an approved practice.
      
      
    • Ensures the confidentiality of patient records and disclosures.
      
      
    • Understands patient rights, feedback/complaint procedures and appropriate involvement of the chain-of-command.
      
      
    • Ends shift with communication and reporting to on-coming team. Performs final review of incomplete tasks and the return of supplies.
      
      Medical Records and Confidential Communication
      
      
      
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      • Appropriately considers the sensitivity and confidentiality of medical/psychiatric information along with the need-to-know before sharing information with others.
        
        
      • Medical records entries are legible, errors minimized, timely completed and include signature with professional designation. Users of computer aided records should not share passwords and signoff to reduce unauthorized utilization.
        
        
      • Medical records of deficiencies are minimized, and when identified, corrected as soon as practical.
        
        DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT
        
        Environment: Located in an indoor climate controlled environment with constant exposure to patients with a psychiatric diagnosis along with medical complications. Patient acuity will at times increase environmental stressors and sound volume.
        
        Sight: Vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
        
        Hearing: Must be able to hear and respond to others in person, by telephone, alarms and to medical equipment/devices.
        
        OSHA Category 1: Task occasionally may involve exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue and other potentially infectious materials. The use of universal precautions, personal protective equipment, regular hand washing, and following manufacturing guidelines can greatly reduce exposure risk.
        
        Physical: This position requires regular sitting, stooping, standing, walking and lifting/reaching/carrying materials up to 35 lbs. Psychiatric emergencies require the use of safe physical techniques to lift and/or move patients in excess of 100lbs. Some patient care settings may have patients requiring assistance in repositioning and transferring from bed to chair.
        
        EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
        
        The above job responsibilities are representative of the essential job functions. Upon completion of the hiring process, SBH assumes the employee can satisfactory perform and safely meet these requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
        
        I have read the above position summary and corresponding job requirements. After review, I possess the minimum qualifications of the job and able to satisfactory and safely perform this position. Further, I understand this facility operates on a 24 hour / 7 day a week / 365 day per year bases, thus voluntarily agree to work hours outside of those routinely scheduled (holidays, weekends and greater than eight hours per shift). With advance notice, SBH may at its sole discretion adjust work assignments or changes duties associated with this position.
        
        __________________________________________ __________________________________________
        
        Employee Signature Date Human Resources Date
        
        
        
        Qualifications Requirements of this Position:
        
        
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        • Associates degree in a behavioral health discipline or be pursuing a bachelors degree in a behavioral health discipline, or possess an active, unencumbered Texas CNA certification preferred.
          
          
          
          
        • High School degree or equivalent required.
          
          
          
          
        • Successful completion of CPR and crisis intervention procedures during orientation
          
          
          
          
          Consideration:
          
          The selected candidate will receive a competitive base salary, along with an attractive benefit package which includes:
          
          
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          • Medical (choice of options), dental and vision insurance
            
            
            
            
          • Long and short-term disability
            
            
            
            
          • Paid time off
            
            
            
            
          • 401(k) with company match
            
            
            
            
            Scheduled shifts are 7am - 7:30 pm and 7 pm - 7:30 am
            
            Strategic Behavioral Health provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Keywords: Strategic Behavioral Health, College Station , Mental Health Technician, Healthcare , College Station, Texas