Mental Health Technician, AM

AltaPointe Health Systems; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

AltaPointe Health Systems in Mobile, AL seeks a dedicated Mental Health Technician to support clinicians in a crisis center. The role involves observing patients, recording behaviors, assisting with meals and personal care, and ensuring safety through de-escalation techniques.

You will collaborate with treatment teams, participate in group activities, and maintain a clean, orderly environment while adhering to policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• At least 6-months experience in the healthcare field with experience relative to patient care.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certification as a CNA or NA preferred but not required.
• Ability to utilize a computer and basic Microsoft Word applications.
• At least 23 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Dependable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Provide care to patients ensuring comfort and safety.
• Assist patients with daily living activities.
• Utilize de-escalation techniques to manage agitation.
• Observe and record patient activities and behaviors.
• Provide meals according to schedule and guidelines.
• Conduct searches for contraband as needed.
• Provide one-to-one coverage for patients on special status.
• Collaborate with treatment team to ensure efficient care.
• Lead or participate in group activities with patients.
• Assist with crisis intervention when needed.
• Follow policies on seclusion and restraint when required.
• Maintain cleanliness of patient beds, chairs, and rooms.
• Maintain cleanliness of food prep and storage areas.
• Maintain orderly linen and clothing units.
• Inventory and document supplies used for patient care.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient records.
• Follow safety, infection control, and QA standards.
• Perform shift-change hand-offs and other duties as assigned.

Skills

Patient care

De-escalation

Crisis intervention

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

A Mental Health Technician is a professional who provides support to mental healthcare professionals within a mental health crisis center facility. They observe and record patient behavior and activities and make report to nurses and doctors as required. They ensure patient comfort and care while being treated by engaging with patients during groups and between medical treatments, preparing and serving patient meals, and supervising patient showers and other personal care as needed. Mental Health Technicians also ensure patient safety by utilizing de-escalation skills to calm patients who might be experiencing a crisis. All de-escalation skills and training will be provided after hire.

General responsibilities

• Provide care to patients in a way that ensures patient comfort and safety.
• Assists patients with daily living (serving meals, escorting to restroom/showers, providing clothing, etc.…)
• Assists with patient behavioral problems utilizing de-escalation techniques.
• Observe and identify patients who might be agitated or distressed and engaging with those patients to prevent a crisis escalation.
• Observes and records patient activities and behaviors according to policies and procedures.
• Provide meals according to established program schedule and guidelines.
• Conducts patient and bed/chair searches for contraband items per AltaPointe Policy and Procedure as needed or when required.
• Provides one to one coverage for patients on special status as assigned.
• Collaborates with the treatment team members to ensure efficient patient care.
• Collaborates with other team members in participating in/leading activities and group sessions with patients.
• Assists with crisis intervention when needed.
• Assists in the application and or use of seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe Policy and Procedure when required.
• Maintains cleanliness of patient beds, chairs, tables, and other furniture items within the observation facility.
• Maintain cleanliness of food preparation area and food storage units (freezers, refrigerators, and pantry closets or shelving.
• Maintains order of the linen and clothing unit as needed.
• Conducts and reports inventory of food, linen, and other items used to serve and care for the patients.
• Conducts and reports inventory of forms needed to document and record patient activity and behaviors.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient records.
• Maintains established policies and procedures to ensure environmental, quality assurance, safety, and infection control standards.
• Performs hand-off communication at shift change.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Supervision and consultation

• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance skills

Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers

• Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
• Manages physically aggressive consumers in a manner which protects individual dignity, respect, and self-esteem
• Respects consumers’ privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the consumers’ needs, expectations, and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families

Administrative and other related duties as assigned

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
• Attends appropriate in-services training and other workshops

Physical Requirements of the Job

• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and carry at least 25 pounds.
• Must be able to walk while carrying food trays or other items without losing balance.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, or squat without falling over.
• Must be able to reach forward or overhead without restriction.
• Must have fine dexterity and fine manipulation ability to ensure ability to utilizes keys, grasp paperwork, pull/turn doorknobs, etc...
• Must have visual acuity in at least one eye and full range of head and neck motions.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 6-months experience in the healthcare field with experience relative to patient care
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Certification as a C.N.A. or N.A. preferred but not required.
• Ability to utilize a computer and basic Microsoft Word applications.
• At least 23 years of age
• Valid driver’s license
• Dependable transportation