Behavioral Health Technician PRN Days

About the role

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Pasadena focuses on helping adults and seniors manage challenges associated with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues through proven, innovative, and progressive therapies. The Mental Health Technician (MHT) supports 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 maintains 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.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures, and abide by federal, state, and local requirements, as well as Joint Commission standards.
• Effectively apply supportive behavior when assisting in the control of patients who exhibit unacceptable behavior.
• Demonstrate the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventory patient belongings accurately and secure contraband as needed; complete unit safety checks.
• Comply with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies; attend required in-services to stay informed.
• Implement patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel; perform vital signs, weights, ADL, intake and output documentation, nutritional monitoring, and communicate findings to the nurse.
• Ensure patients or residents receive appropriate diet by reviewing dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences.
• Assist patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions, and maintaining belongings; assist at-risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
• Individualize all patient care activities to age-specific, disability, and cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
• Communicate and document patient observations and data effectively in the patient record; document patient's departure from unit (e.g., for passes, transport to doctor's appointments, community meetings) with 100% accuracy and within defined timelines; document 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 timelines.
• Communicate outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner; communicate follow-up on patient care responsibilities, incomplete assignments, ongoing activities, and current patient needs to relevant staff to assure continuity of care.
• Perform 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.
• Ability to read, write, and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work well with diverse populations.
• Utilize age, disability, and cultural specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients.
• Good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth, and potentiality of clients, and a high sense of personal integrity.
• Ability to work under close supervision.
• Successful completion of CPR certification and an Oceans-approved behavioral de-escalation program.

Work environment & physical demands

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.