Mental Health Technician - (MHT) - Part Time

nghs; Gainesville (GA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeast Georgia Health System is seeking staff to perform a range of patient care and clerical tasks to support the therapeutic milieu. The role emphasizes safety, confidentiality, and teamwork in behavioral health settings.

The position involves direct care for patients, observation of mental and physical status, and collaboration with the treatment team to implement care plans. Unit orientation and crisis intervention training are highlighted in duties.

Qualifications

• Basic Clinical Support skills
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality necessary in behavioral health setting
• Effective team building skills
• Effective communication skills

Responsibilities

• Obtains initial information from the patient and documents on an assessment form.
• Assists patient with unit tour and orientation to the unit, including patient rights.
• Performs search of patient and all patient’s belongings within Laurelwood policy.
• Assists with collection of lab specimens and prepares for transport to lab.
• Observes and documents patient’s physical and mental status and reports changes to the Charge Nurse.
• Provides for patient’s hygiene and nutritional needs and assists with activities of daily living.

Skills

Basic Clinical Support

Confidentiality

Team building

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associates Degree

Two years college

Job description

Job Category

Clinical Support

Work Shift/Schedule

Varies

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role

Job Summary

Carries out a variety of patient care activities and clerical tasks which support the maintenance of the therapeutic milieu and which meet the patient's needs for comfort and safety. Facilitates the communication process among appropriate personnel. Must be able to maintain personal composure when unit priorities quickly change. This position will care for patients in the child and adolescent age groups (if assigned to the PRN Pool this position will also care for patients in the adult and geriatric age groups). Employee performs clinical duties in accordance with population specific guidelines and adheres to National Patient Safety Goals as outlined in policy and procedures.

Minimum Job Qualifications

Licensure or other certifications:

Educational Requirements: High School Diploma or GED

Minimum Experience:

Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

Preferred Licensure or other certifications:

Preferred Educational Requirements: Associates Degree or two (2) years of college equivalent

Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of hospital experience

Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Basic Clinical Support skills

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality necessary in behavioral health setting

Effective team building skills

Effective communication skills

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Obtains certain initial information from the patient and/or guardian and documents appropriately on an assessment form. Information includes: initial vital signs, height and weight.
• Assists patient with unit tour and orientation to the unit, including patient rights.
• Performs search of patient and all patient's belongings within established Laurelwood policy.
• Assists with collection of lab specimens and prepares for transport to lab.
• Actively participates in structuring the milieu by interacting with the patients and by encouraging their participation in groups.
• Observes and documents patient's physical and mental status. Responds appropriately to any changes in the patient's condition and reports such to the Charge Nurse as appropriate. Documents observations and interventions on flow sheet and progress notes in the patient's chart as assigned.
• Uses therapeutic communication appropriately with patients in groups and in one-to-one situations.
• Follows designated level of observation on each patient and records required patient checks on appropriate forms.
• Provides for patient's hygiene needs by assisting with activities of daily living as needed.
• Provides for patient's nutritional needs by accompanying patients to meals, observing intake, and recording significant data on the nursing flow sheet.
• Performs other nursing activities as directed, such as: collecting specimens following Universal Precautions, taking and recording vital signs as ordered and reporting any significant changes to the Charge Nurse and weighing patients and documenting on graphics sheets.
• Assists with facilitation of nursing, lead patient groups and patient activities.
• Follows throughout with the treatment team decisions in structuring the milieu.
• Appropriately monitors use of sharps.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of seclusion and restraints.
• Demonstrates appropriate response and follow through in medical emergencies.
• Handles inquiry and crisis calls, and assists with initial assessment as Intake backup when an Intake Specialist is unavailable.
• Assists with coverage of the nursing station including answering the telephones and assisting visitors and others accessing the facility.
• Participates in annual training for Crisis Intervention and demonstrates competency in performing verbal and physical interventions for out-of-control patients (Code Green).
• Transports patients to and from the Main Building, Medical Office Building, Imaging Center, etc. for scheduled procedures, remaining with the patient, as assigned.
• Transports lab specimens to the Main Building as assigned.
• Assists with the inventory of unit supplies, including nourishments, and communicates any needs to the Charge Nurse.
• Assists in the discharge of all patients by entering a note and filing historical information in unit log books.
• Acts as a facilitator in 12 step centered theme groups with chemically dependent patients.
• Demonstrates knowledge of disease concept of addiction as evidenced by supporting patients in their level of recovery while strongly confronting denial.
• Demonstrates appropriate use of therapeutic communication with chemically dependent and dual diagnosed patient's in groups and one-to-one situations.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time
• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time
• Vision: Moderate, Constantly 66-100% of time
• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%
• Standing