Mental Health Technician PRN Nights

Oceans Healthcare; Pasadena (TX); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Pasadena, part of Oceans Healthcare, is seeking a Mental Health Technician (MHT) to support nursing staff in delivering compassionate, patient-focused care to adults and seniors.

With CNA certification or at least 6 months bedside experience, you will perform vital signs, assist with activities of daily living, document observations, and help maintain a therapeutic milieu in compliance with Joint Commission and hospital policies.

Qualifications

• Requires CNA certification or at least 6 months of bedside patient care experience.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential.
• Ability to implement de-escalation and therapeutic interventions when needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist nursing staff in providing patient care and maintaining a therapeutic milieu.
• Perform vital signs, weights, and activity of daily living assistance as directed.
• Document observations accurately in the patient record and report to the nurse.
• Ensure patient safety by following policies and infection control practices.
• Assist with meals, mobility, and personal care while respecting patient dignity.
• Participate in required trainings and de-escalation programs.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

De-escalation

Flexibility

Education

CNA certification or high school diploma

Job description

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Pasadena, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu 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 Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and performance improvement standards.

Essential Functions:

• Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures and abide by federal, state and local requirements, as well as Joint Commission standards.
• Effectively applies supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibit unacceptable behavior. Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks.
• 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, intake and output documentation, nutritional monitoring and communicates findings to the nurse. Ensuring patients or residents receive appropriate diet by reviewing their dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences.
• Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions and maintaining of belongings; assists at risk and/or 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 in the patient record.; documents patient’s departure from unit (i.e. for passes, transport to doctor’s appointment, community meetings) with 100% accuracy and within defined time lines; documents significant occurrences, observed behavior, vital signs, nutrition intake, and patient observation findings on assigned patients as requested by the registered nurse, with 100% accuracy and within defined time lines.
• 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 continuality of care.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent with CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting is required.

Must be able to read, write and follow verbal and written instruction. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must work well with diverse populations. Must utilize Age, Disability and Cultural Specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients. Must be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth and potentiality of clients and hold a high sense of personal integrity. Must be able to work under close supervision. Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral de‑escalation program.

Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.