MENTAL HEALTH TECH -

Department: UPC Inpatient Adult Services | FTE: 0.90 Full Time | Shift: Days

About the Role

Provide child, adolescent, or adult patient care in a treatment or educational milieu; assist in the maintenance of a safe, secure environment that enhances treatment and/or educational effectiveness. May operate in an in-patient/residential environment, or in outreach environment, such as in homes, schools, and/or community agencies. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. Patient care assignment may include neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide care to patient in a manner that considers and promotes safety, comfort, and the therapeutic environment.
• Provide education and training specific to individual patient needs, abilities, learning preferences and readiness; provide educational resources to patients and/or family members in coordination with treatment team.
• Chart observations and other required documentation on assigned patients, behaviors, following prescribed procedures and standards; chart according to treatment plan; use electronic medical record when required.
• Assist with the physical needs of patients; may include taking manual vital signs, weights, and urine, stool, and sputum specimens as designated.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living; attend to patient behavioral problems and provide assistance and coordination in crisis intervention as needed.
• Participate in the development, coordination and implementation of patient treatment programs.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient records, adhering to HIPAA guidelines.
• In collaboration with treatment team, may act as liaison with other departments, staff and patients.
• Transport patients to and from appointments, clinics, laboratories, and/or treatments.
• Work with other multi-disciplinary team members to lead milieu activities such as activities of daily living, current events, goals and fitness groups; community meetings, school and/or recreational activities as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in group sessions, in-service education, and staff meetings.
• Process patient admission and registration as appropriate.
• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing and accessing appropriate computer and information system.
• May perform phlebotomy duties as assigned.
• Participate as a member of the Crisis Response Team responding to calls related to psychiatric services or assessed as a psychiatric crisis; assist staff with patients in crisis; assist with transports of psychiatric patients.
• Assist patients to regain behavior control; escort patients to safe area using least restrictive means possible; apply restraints as needed; assist with administration of emergency medications and daily living activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
• Follow and maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops.
• Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols.
• Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes.
• Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk.
• Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner.
• Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right".

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Education specialization: UNMH Mental Health Tech certification within 6 months of hire.
• Minimum 6 months of directly related experience.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) or fluency in Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Zuni, or Navajo (preferred but not required).
• CPR for Healthcare/BLS Provider or Professional Rescuers certification within 30 days of hire.
• Obtain and maintain Aggressive Behavior Certification within 30 days of hire.

Physical Conditions

• Heavy Work: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects or people. Physical demand requirements exceed those for Medium Work.
• Working conditions involve significant hazards, including physical risk/injuries due to combative patients and exposure to chemicals or biohazardous materials requiring PPE.
• Limited access to medication room; must adhere to Medication Administration Policy.
• Tuberculosis testing completed upon hire and as required thereafter.

Pay

Shift differentials: 17% for Weekday Nights, 26% for Weekend Nights, and 15% for Weekend Days.

Compensation for this role is based on experience, education, and other business and organizational considerations.

Benefits

Sign-on bonus available.