Mental Health Technician

Diversicare; Rocky Top (TN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Diversicare is seeking a Mental Health Technician to support nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic setting. The role includes patient care activities, vital signs, and collaboration with licensed personnel to ensure safe, individualized care.

The candidate should have a high school diploma or equivalent, CNA preferred, and Crisis intervention experience. A valid driver’s license is required to support transport and off-unit duties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred.
• Crisis intervention experience is preferred.
• Valid driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Monitor unit rules and enforce safety and compliance.
• Apply supportive behavior to assist in patient care.
• Use de-escalation and crisis intervention as needed.
• Complete unit safety checks and document findings.
• Inventory patient belongings and secure contraband.
• Follow infection control policies and attend required in-services.
• Carry out patient care activities under licensed nurses.
• Take vital signs, monitor weights and nutrition, report findings.
• Assist with laundry, meals, and personal care needs.
• Support patients with mobility and daily activities as needed.
• Tailor care to age, disability, and cultural needs.
• Document observations accurately and timely.
• Notify nursing staff of significant events and outcomes.
• Communicate follow-up needs and ongoing patient requirements.
• Escort patients to Treatment Team meetings and visits.
• Lead goals and activity groups outside therapy sessions.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention experience

Valid driver's license

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Certified Nursing Assistant preferred

Job description

Overview

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic setting 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 Federal and State regulations, policies and procedures and accreditation and quality standards

Responsibilities

• Continually monitors and enforces compliance with unit rules.
• Effectively applies supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibit unacceptable behavior.
• Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation, crisis intervention, and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Completes unit safety checks.
• Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed.
• Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in-services to keep self-informed.
• Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel.
• Performs vital signs, weights, ADL monitoring, nutritional monitoring, and communicates findings to the nurse.
• Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings as needed.
• Assists at risk/physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
• Individualizes all patient care activities to the age specific/disability/cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
• Communicates and documents patient observation and date effectively.
• Documents patient's departure from unit with 100% accuracy and within defined timelines.
• Documents significant occurrences, observed behavior, vital signs, nutrition intake and patient observation findings on assigned patients and as requested by the registered nurse, with 100% accuracy and within defined timelines.
• 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 continuity of care.
• Escorts patients in and out of weekly Treatment Team meetings and in and out of visits with practitioners and therapists.
• Performs goals and activity groups to keep patients engaged outside of required therapy groups and report findings to clinical services.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Certified Nursing Assistant preferred
• At least 1 year experience working with psychiatric patients in an inpatient setting preferred
• Valid driver’s license
• Crisis intervention experience preferred