Behavioral Health Technician PRN Days

Oceans Healthcare, L.L.C.; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Amarillo is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Technician to support nursing staff in an inpatient psychiatric setting. You will assist with patient care, monitor safety, document observations, and help maintain a therapeutic milieu.

The role emphasizes de-escalation, adherence to policies, and compassionate, age-appropriate care for adults and seniors dealing with anxiety, depression, and related conditions.

Qualifications

• Experience in behavioral health is desirable.
• Ability to follow policies, procedures and safety guidelines.
• Strong communication and teamwork with nursing staff.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to standards, policies and regulatory requirements.
• Apply supportive behavior to de-escalate patients as needed.
• Inventory patient belongings and secure contraband; perform safety checks.
• Follow universal precautions and infection control policies; attend trainings.
• Perform patient care tasks under nursing supervision; document vitals, intake/output, and nutrition needs.
• Assist with daily living activities and mobility; support at-risk patients.
• Tailor care to age, disability and cultural needs; document observations accurately.
• Communicate task outcomes and follow up with nursing staff; ensure continuity of care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

De-escalation techniques

Patient observation

Vital signs documentation

Infection control adherence

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Amarillo, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu 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 Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and performance improvement standards.

Essential Functions:

1. Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures and abide by federal, state and local requirements, as well as Joint Commission standards.
2. Effectively applies supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibit unacceptable behavior. Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
3. Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks.
4. Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in‑services to keep self‑informed.
5. Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel; performs vital signs, weights, ADL, intake and output documentation, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse. Ensuring patients or residents receive appropriate diet by reviewing their dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences.
6. Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings; assists at risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
7. Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific, disability, cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
8. Communicates and documents patient observation and date effectively in the patient record.; documents patient’s departure from unit (i.e. for passes, transport to doctor’s appointment, community meetings) with 100% accuracy and within defined time lines; documents significant occurrences, observed behavior, vital signs, nutrition intake, and patient observation findings on assigned patients as requested by the registered nurse, with 100% accuracy and within defined time lines.
9. Communicates outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner; Communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities; incomplete assignments, ongoing activities and current patient needs to relevant staff to assure continuality of care.
10. Performs other duties and projects as assigned.