Employment

 

GENERAL FUNCTION
To help residents to lead as normal of a life as possible by providing daily care and support specific to their illness, anticipating all of their needs and providing a safe environment for residents both physically and mentally. The Mental Health Technician (MHT) assists in carrying out the patient’s treatment plan in conjunction with the psychiatrists, physicians, and other interdisciplinary treatment members, the patient and family. The MHT provides care in a professional manner that maintains the dignity, respect, and rights of all patients.

RESPONSIBILITIES
A. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Assess vital signs or other similar procedures per patient needs, at proper times and in accordance with physician orders. Document in the record and report unusual findings to Nurse promptly.
2. Communicate and assist residents with activities of daily living (ADL’s); (such as feeding, bathing, toileting, mobility, dressing) and scheduled activities. In general, residents will appear neat, clean and well-kept at all times. Support and encourage residents to maintain their independence. Report to nurse if knowledge of mental or physical conditions creates problems in self-care or completion of ADL’s in accordance to the care plan.
3. If a resident needs to be transferred, do so in manner as stated in care plan.
4. Consistently performs required treatments as assigned and documents correctly. Report unusual findings to nurse (i.e. splints, braces, cold compresses, etc.).
5. Participate with professional personnel in planning and carrying out patient/resident treatment plans and care plans both physical and psychiatric. Conduct therapeutic and meaningful contact with residents. When required, perform patient charting and follow the treatment plan or care plans developed for individual residents. Facilitate individual 1:1 patient interaction. 
6. Work with the team to promptly and effectively respond to acting out, assaultive and self-abusive persons per facility policy and federal and state requirements. Recognize escalating patient/resident behaviors and intervene in a therapeutic manner using the least restrictive measures for patients who are a threat to themselves or others which include non-violent physical crisis prevention intervention techniques, de-escalation techniques and assisting the charge RN for patients that require restraint or seclusion.  
7. Immediately report any and all incidents to the supervisor on duty. 
8. Ensure a safe and sanitary environment. Complete an inventory of personal effects and items that an individual can harm themselves with, and secure upon admission. Complete body checks accurately and in a timely manner. Maintain universal precautions are. Conduct accurate supervision of those patients in need of frequent monitoring, such as:  five (5) minute checks, suicide observation, elopement precautions or 1:1’s. Recognize unsafe situations and intervene and report them to their supervisor as appropriate. 
9. Role models appropriate hygiene, grooming, social interactions and coping skills. Treats patient with respect and dignity.
10. Provide immediate first aid measures as required.
11. Transport and supervise patients/residents for appointments and out-of-center activities as required. Patients must be under direct observation of staff when not in the facility.
12. Additional essential duties require the MHT to support the patient’s mental health or rehabilitative recovery process while the patient is hospitalized and assist them in formulating a safety plan at discharge in collaboration with the nurse. In addition, the MHT will participate in active listening, worksheet exercises in problem solving and goal setting as assigned, and other emotional supportive care required during the patient’s hospitalization.  
13. Supervise dining room during meal times.
14. Perform housekeeping procedures:  Make beds, put away clothing, empty wastebaskets, clean floors, bathrooms and work areas.
15. Participate in group activities and offer patient/resident activities within a therapeutic program.
16. Follow policies and procedures set forth at the facility.
17. Responsible to know and practice the safety polices of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and responsible manner.

B. OTHER JOB DUTIES
1. Meet on-going requirements to maintain current CNA certification. Participate in in-service and continuing education trainings as assigned. Provide documentation of all training activities.
2. Maintain cooperative working relationships and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients and residents.  
3. Other duties as assigned.