Mental Health Technician Residency Program - January 2027 Cohort

UT Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas is seeking a Mental Health Technician Residency Program participant to support patient care under supervision. You will collect data, perform skin assessments, and assist in sterile procedures while coordinating with nursing staff to ensure safety and high-quality care.

You will be part of a team that emphasizes patient-centered care, de-escalation training, and professional development within a hospital setting.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• Must achieve validation of required core competencies through the Mental Health Technician Residency Program.
• BLS certification must be obtained and maintained within 14 days of hire.
• Certification must be through AHA or ARC, and CPI de-escalation program completed within 180 days.

Responsibilities

• Collects intake data, vital signs, and basic patient information.
• Performs skin assessments and assists in sterile procedures per policies.
• Report any abnormal patient data to the nurse immediately.
• Conducts patient rounds and round-the-clock monitoring for comfort and safety.
• Responds to patient requests promptly and with respect.
• Documents patient information accurately and timely in designated records.
• Transfers, transports, and assists with activities of daily living as needed.
• Welcomes patients and families and maintains professional appearance and communication.

Skills

Patient care

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Safety awareness

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER

JOB SUMMARY

Works under supervision to provide mental health care to patients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job Duties

• Collects data to include: intake and output, weight, temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure.
• Performs skin assessments.
• Recognizes and immediately reports values outside normal parameters to the nurse.
• Demonstrates awareness of age-specific considerations in gathering these assessments (children, adolescents, adults, older adults).
• Performs sterile procedures in accordance with the Department of Nursing and Infection Control Policies and Procedures to include sterile gloves, dressing changes and in/out catheterization.
• Assists in facilitating treatment milieu.
• Participates in codes to protect the patient from harming self or others.
• Reports any changes in a patient's condition or behavior immediately to the nurse.
• Seeks assistance and guidance as needed to ensure that patient care is delivered in a safe, high quality and effective manner at all times.
• Monitors patient sharps and valuables and labels-handles appropriately.
• Conducts walking/exercise and community groups.
• Responds to patient requests for assistance in a respectful, positive, and timely manner.
• Asks the patient and/or patient's family, "Can I do anything else for you?" before leaving room.
• Performs basic hygiene care in accordance with the Department of Nursing Policies and Procedures.
• Checks skin carefully during the bath, reports anything other than normal immediately to the nurse.
• Checks skin carefully during the bath, reports anything other than normal immediately to the nurse.
• Makes frequent and ongoing patient rounds to comfort, position, and to provide toileting and hygiene care.
• Informs the patient when you will return.
• Patient rarely finds it necessary to use the call light.
• Documents patient information accurately and in appropriate place in a timely manner.
• Transfers, and transports patients safely and in accordance with the Department of Nursing Policies and Procedures, with concern for age-specific considerations.
• Ensures that patient is covered with robe and/or blankets and that slippers are on feet (even if Transporter is taking patient).
• Welcomes new patient/patient's family.
• Knocks before entering room.
• Smiles and introduces self.
• Wears name tag.
• Immediately alerts nurse if patient/patient's family seems or is unhappy and you have not resolved the issue.
• Provide patient care under the direction of nursing staff being certain to only perform tasks in which training and/or competency has been validated.
• Perform patient rounding being sure to report any changes in a patient's condition or behavior immediately to the nurse.
• Seeks assistance and guidance as needed to ensure that patient care is delivered in a safe, high quality and effective manner at all times.
• Assess, identify, and monitor environmental, patient, and the patient's family needs in a respectful, positive, and timely manner to achieve satisfaction.
• Resolve patient concerns by initiating service recovery and immediately escalating patient, family, visitors and staff concerns through the chain of command.
• Prepare, update, and disseminate reports at the change of shift and when changes are noted in the patient's condition.
• Orients new staff and students to work areas.
• Collaborates with other nursing staff and hospital employees to create an environment that is conducive to the retention of qualified personnel.
• Support the administrative and clinical operations of assigned practice environment.
• Build meaning and sustainable relationships of trust through open and interactive communication with members of the healthcare team.
• Maintain current compliance with ongoing annual education requirements (modules, classes and competencies).
• Utilize downtime to assist others and/or to provide additional supportive measures to patients and/or patients' families within the respective patient care environment.
• Assumes accountabilities for all actions in the workplace. Reports errors promptly.
• Performs in the role of sitter as needed, documents as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

• High School diploma or equivalent

Experience

• Must achieve validation of required core competencies and training through the Mental Health Technician Residency Program

Licenses and Certifications

• Must obtain and maintain BLS certification within 14 days of hire as a condition of continued employment.
• Certification must be through the American Heath Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) and (CPI) CRISIS PREVENTION INSTITUT CER Completion of an approved organizational de‑escalation program within 180 Days

PATIENT STATE STATEMENT

P-Problem Solving: To achieve excellence in patient care and service, all employees are expected to take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the patient.

A-Ability, Attitude and Appearance: I