Mental Health Technician FT

Seaside Health System; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Seaside Health System is seeking a Mental Health Technician to support RN/LPN with direct and indirect patient care in a psychiatric/heathcare setting. The role involves assisting in delivering care to patients with acute behavioral disorders or chronic psychiatric illness, while maintaining safety and confidentiality.

You will monitor patients, complete observation records, and assist with admissions, vital signs, and daily living activities as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 1 year recent experience on a medical-surgical, skilled nursing, or psychiatric unit.
• Ability to work independently in a team environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication; maintain patient confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assists the RN and/or LPN with direct and indirect patient care activities.
• Assists in delivering care to psychiatric patients with acute behavioral disorder or chronic illness exacerbation.
• Reports abuse or neglect to a direct supervisor immediately.
• Monitors patients to maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu and assists in patient observation.
• Performs clerical duties to support unit activities and assists with admissions, vital signs, weights, and documentation.

Skills

Independent work

Team environment

Prioritization

Multi-tasking

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Mental Health Technician is responsible for direct and indirect patient care. Assists the Registered Nurse (RN) and/or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with direct and indirect patient care activities. Assists in the delivery of care to psychiatric patients who have acute behavioral disorder or an exacerbation of a chronic psychiatric illness. The Mental Health Technician will work with patients who may be experiencing both medical and psychiatric problems. The Mental Health Technician has the responsibility to report any alleged, suspected, or witnessed abuse or neglect to a direct supervisor immediately.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Work experience

Prefer a minimum 1-year recent experience on a medical surgical, skilled nursing, or psychiatric unit. Participation in appropriate continuing education, annual education requirements and to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job related skills and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Ability to work independently in a team environment and the ability to prioritize and multi task.

Interpersonal Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills, time management skills, and maintain patient confidentiality.

Travel Requirements:

none

Assists in maintaining a safe and therapeutic milieu by monitoring compliance with program rules,
providing assistance with security and supportive man-power by assisting in control of patients. Constantly monitors patients in the facility and completes patient observation sheets on assigned patients.

Documents significant occurrences, observed behaviors, vital signs, I&O, weight, and observation findings on Daily MHT worksheet and reports to nurse.

Performs clerical duties related to support of unit activities as assigned, and assist with admission of
patients, obtaining weights, vital signs, logging in patient belongings and specimen collection. Document patient’s nutritional intake for meals and snacks. Document patient’s output and bowel movements.

Maintain patient’s laundry, providing clean clothing for daily use. Collects and packs any clothing or
patient belongings for discharge and signs the valuables sheet when completed. Assures that all
discharged patients get belongings that were logged in.

Assist patients with activities of daily living as required by level of function, with maintaining hygiene (oral
am/pm care), with the consumption of nourishment/hydration as needed, assist with range of
motion/position, with assistance devices, and assist in maintenance of skin integrity/prevention of pressure
sores.

Recognizes the impact of group influence by behavior and demonstrates assistance with therapeutic
interventions and conducts group session with a preset agenda and format (i.e.: wrap-up group). Actively
employs therapeutically acceptable sensitivity and skills in managing inappropriate patient behavior,
difficult people, and complex situations.

Other duties as assigned/required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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

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.