Mental Health Technician

Ventura Services Florida; Zachary (LA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Ventura Services Florida is seeking a Mental Health Technician (MHT) to support nursing staff in patient care within a safe, therapeutic environment.

The role emphasizes direct patient interaction, vital sign checks, and participation in the treatment team to improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED. Will be required to maintain CPR and CPI certifications.
• Mental Health field experience preferred.
• Knowledge of infection control and sanitation guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Perform direct care duties to assist patients in maintaining personal dignity and safety.
• Take patients’ vital signs as directed and document findings.
• Assist nursing staff with other patient care duties as directed.
• Assists with admission of new patients and orient to facility procedures.
• Makes rounds to ensure patient safety and report facility irregularities.
• Help implement facility rules and expectations with patients.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

First aid

Infection control

Documentation

Stress management

Education

High School diploma or GED

Professional Certification

Technical School / 1 Year College

Technical School / 2 Years College / Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Job description

Job Title:

Mental Health Technician (MHT)

FLSA Status

_ Exempt X Non-exempt

Program:

Progressive PHP of Seaside Health System

Reports To:

Mental Health Technician Supervisor

Supervisory Responsibility (check one):

Yes

Origination Date:

May 2022

Equal Employment Opportunity

Ø

Progressive PHP of Seaside Health System is committed to the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees and applicants. It is our policy to ensure that both current and prospective employees are afforded equal employment opportunity without consideration of race, religious creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Ø

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

Position Summary:

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) performs routine and assigned tasks as well as providing assistance to the nursing department in carrying out all patient care activities within the scope of his/her training. Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment to assist in the overall treatment for patients. Provides patient transportation as directed.

Qualifications:

Education:

Years of Related Experience:

Minimum

Preferred

Minimum

Preferred

High School Graduate / Equivalent

X

0-1

X

Professional Certification

1-3

X

Technical School / 1 Year College

3-5

Technical School / 2 Years College / Associate’s Degree

5-8

Bachelor’s Degree

8-10

Master’s Degree

Required Knowledge, Skills, Licensure, Training & Travel Requirements (if applicable):

Education:

High school diploma or GED. Will be required to maintain certifications in CPR and CPI.

Work experience: Mental Health field experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to work under close supervision with distractions/demanding patients and to follow verbal and written instructions.

Ability to communicate effectively with all departments.

Knowledge of basic first aid required. Knowledge of program policies and procedures regarding infection control and sanitation.

Completes assignments accurately, in a timely manner, and within procedural guidelines. Organizes and prioritizes work.

Interpersonal Skills: Must possess good interpersonal skills. Good physical and mental health as evidenced by warm and empathic attitude, respect for the dignity, worth and potentiality of each person and a high sense of personal integrity. Displays self-direction by seeking solutions to problems. Seeks out and offers new ideas for improving processes. Deals constructively with stress.

General Performance: Displays willingness to help others. Uses appropriate customer etiquette, e.g., telephone, conversation, demeanor, etc. Takes directions well, accepts constructive criticism and responds accordingly. Respects customer’s, co-worker’s, and organization’s confidentiality. Follow policies/procedures such as appearance, dress, safety, appropriate patient/staff interactions, etc. Works positively with both internal and external customers. Is punctual in all aspects of work. Adheres to attendance policy.

Travel Requirements:

Provides patient transportation as directed.

Essential Job Duties

% of Time

1.

• Perform direct care duties to assist patients in maintaining personal dignity and safety.
• Take patients’ vital signs as directed and document findings.
• Assist nursing staff with other patient care duties as directed.
• Assists with admission of new patients (i.e., orient to facility and procedures, etc.)
• Makes rounds throughout the facility to ensure patients safety and observe for any facility irregularities such as fire hazards, leaking water pipes, and security doors left unlocked within facility grounds. Report any observed problems to Nursing and/or other staff as appropriate.
• Helps to implement facility rules and expectations with patients.

40%

2.

• Participate as a member of the treatment team in the implementation of the multi-disciplinary treatment plan.
• Attend and/or communicates pertinent information on a daily basis.
• Assists in maintenance of therapeutic milieu; notifies nursing and/or clinical staff members of any observed significant patient behaviors.
• Encourage patients to follow through with program attendance. Reporting any observed problems to Nursing and/or other staff as appropriate.
• Assist with patient de-escalation and therapeutic interventions.

40%

3.

• Provides driving/transportation and patient escort.
• Transport patients for admissions, discharges, and additional appointments.
• Follow Progressive PHP’s policies and procedures regarding patient confidentiality, patient safety, patient rights, and vehicular safety.
• Document driving duties performed
• (1)pre- and post-trip checklist
• (2)accident report form
• (3)incident report form
• verbal/written reports of safety concerns to supervisor.

15%

4.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

5%

Guidance Requirement: Indicate the degree to which the position is guided by the Supervisor/Manager

(Check One)

Direct supervision given.

Specific / Detailed instructions provided.

Procedures well established.

Few decisions made.

Supervisor readily available as needed.

X

Independent judgment necessary.

Supervisor is usually available.

Little to no guidance provided by supervisor on daily basis.

Physical Effort Requirement:

(Check One)

Little/no physical effort

Physical Effort found in normal office environment

Occasional physical effort (e.g., continuous typing, prolonged standing/bending, etc.)

Frequent/strenuous physical effort (e.g., lifting, moving heavy objects, etc.)

X