Mental Health Tech (PRN) (Day Shift)

Dodge County Hospital; Nebraska; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Dodge County Hospital is seeking a Mental Health Tech (PRN) for the Day shift to support the geriatric behavioral health unit, New Directions. This role involves direct patient care, documentation, and collaboration with nursing and treatment teams to implement individualized plans while upholding patient dignity and safety.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, completion of a competency checklist, and ongoing DCH education.

Qualifications

• Requires a high school diploma or a GED.
• Successful completion of a basic competency checklist.
• Ability to proficiently perform all essential job responsibilities after three-month orientation period.
• Requires 5 basic units of DCH education units per year.
• Requires DCH mandatory annual training.
• Ability to read, legibly write, and comprehend medical terminology, follow instructions, and perform simple mathematical calculations.

Responsibilities

• Performs patient care responsibilities considering the needs specific to the standard of care for the geriatric patient and the patient’s clinical condition.
• Assists in the preparation for admission of patients.
• Provides morning care, which may include bed, bath, or shower, oral hygiene, combing hair, back care, dressing patients, changing bed linen, cleaning overbed table and bedside stand, straightening room and other general care as necessary throughout the day.
• Provides evening care which includes hands/face washing as needed, oral hygiene, back rubs, freshening linen, cleaning overbed tables, straightening room and other general care as needed.
• Assists LPNs in treatment procedures.
• Provides general nursing care such as positioning patients, lifting and turning patients, applying/utilizing special equipment, assisting in use of bedpan or commode, and assisting patients with ambulation.
• Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration, weight, blood pressure, and intake-output.

Skills

Patient care

Documentation

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Basic competency checklist

Three-month orientation

DCH education units per year

Mandatory annual training

Medical terminology literacy

Job description

Job Posting

Mental Health Tech (PRN) (Day Shift) Please Note: New Directions is the Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit for Dodge County Hospital.

HOURS: PRN, 7am-7pm. Some weekend work required.

The Mental Health Tech provides direct patient support and assistance to individuals receiving geriatric behavioral health services in a safe, therapeutic, and structured environment. The Mental Health Tech assists the nursing and interdisciplinary treatment teams in implementing individualized treatment plans, maintains accurate documentation, and promotes patient dignity, confidentiality, and respectful care. All duties are performed in accordance with hospital policies, applicable state and federal regulations, patient rights requirements, and DNV accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Performs patient care responsibilities considering the needs specific to the standard of care for the geriatric patient and the patient’s clinical condition.
• Assists in the preparation for admission of patients.
• Provides morning care, which may include bed, bath, or shower, oral hygiene, combing hair, back care, dressing patients, changing bed linen, cleaning overbed table and bedside stand, straightening room and other general care as necessary throughout the day.
• Provides evening care which includes hands/face washing as needed, oral hygiene, back rubs, freshening linen, cleaning overbed tables, straightening room and other general care as needed.
• Assists LPNs in treatment procedures.
• Provides general nursing care such as positioning patients, lifting and turning patients, applying/utilizing special equipment, assisting in use of bedpan or commode, and assisting patients with ambulation.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Takes and records temperature, pulse, respiration, weight, blood pressure, and intake-output.
• Makes rounds with outgoing shift; knows whereabouts of assigned patients.
• Makes rounds with oncoming shift to ensure the unit is left in good condition.
• Adheres to policies and procedures of the facility and the Department of Nursing.
• Participates in socialization activities on the unit.
• Checks for reddened areas or skin breakdown and reports to RN or LPN.
• Ensures patients are dressed properly and assists, as necessary. Ensures that used clothing is properly stored in bedside stand or on hangers in closet. Ensures that all patients are clean and dry at all times.
• Checks unit for adequate linen. Folds neatly and arranges linen in linen closet. Cleans linen cart. Provides clean linen and clothing. Makes beds.
• Assists with restraining patients when ordered.
• Accompanies patients off the unit for test, procedures, etc.
• Provides reality orientation in daily care.
• Prepares patients for meals; serves and removes food trays and assists with meals or feeds patients, if necessary.
• Distributes drinking water and other nourishments to patients.
• Answers patients’ call lights, anticipates patients’ needs and makes rounds to assigned patients.
• Assists patients with handling and care of clothing and other personal property (including dentures, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and prosthetic devices).
• Reports and, when appropriate, records any changes observed in condition or behavior of patients and unusual incidents.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to team leader, co-workers, and physicians.
• Concurs with members of the treatment team for the benefit of the patient.
• Treats patients and families with respect and dignity; provides emotional support.
• Documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized, and function under stressful situations.
• Practices careful efficient, and non-wasteful use of supplies and linen and follows established charge procedure for patient charge items.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the CAN’s scope of practice.
• Able to acquire knowledge of and develop skills in basic nursing procedures and simple charting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

• Requires a high school diploma or a GED state certification.
• Successful completion of a basic competency check list.
• Ability to proficiently perform all essential job responsibilities after three-month orientation period.
• Requires 5 basic units of DCH education units per year.
• Requires DCH mandatory annual training.
• Ability to read, legibly write, and comprehend medical terminology, follow instructions, and perform simple mathematical calculations.

Experience

• Requires up to one year of work-related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Dodge County Hospital Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Dodge County Hospital will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Dodge County Hospital does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other classification in accordance with federal, state and local statutes, regulations and ordinances.

Additional Information

Position Type : Pool/PRN/Per Diem

Shift : Day

Contact Information

Penny Brown - Director of Human Resources

Human Resources

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone]