Mental Health Technician IV Crisis (Extended Observation)

About the role

This position is located at our Crisis Center located in Dothan, Alabama. Schedule: Week 1: Monday, Thursday, Friday (07:00 am-7:30pm) Week 2: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday (07:00 am-7:30 pm)

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and oversight to individuals served in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and any associated units.
• Monitor individual’s behaviors and interactions with others, activities of daily living, safety observations and other duties as assigned.
• Prepare snacks and/or meals for individuals as required by facility.
• Visually observe individuals admitted into the unit as required to ensure safety of those served as well as other staff in the unit; may be required to perform 1:1 individual observation.
• Perform unit rounds, as required, assessing the safety of the unit and individual in care.
• Note significant changes in individual’s behavior and verbalizations, watching for cues of increased anxiety or agitation and report to the clinical team.
• Aid other staff members with actively disturbed and/or violent individuals, requesting for back-up personnel when needed.
• Aid in the education of individuals regarding behavioral/emotional techniques and support.
• Assist in the education of individuals regarding behavioral/emotional techniques and support.
• Prepare food and/or snack for individuals in the unit, monitoring individuals who may need assistance with eating.
• Aid in the transfer and discharge of individuals by assisting with the individual in dressing and collecting personal possessions, valuables and carrying out the established discharge and transfer procedures.
• Utilize behavioral and crisis intervention techniques to prevent injury to individuals and others and to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment for individuals; respond to crisis situations appropriately, effectively, and calmly to ensure ongoing safety of individuals and others.
• Serve as a positive role model by establishing and maintaining positive, therapeutic relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals and/or their families.
• May provide educational group facilitation when appropriate.
• Plan, organize, and lead skills-based groups related to social skills, coping skills, self-esteem, relaxation, etc.
• Document groups according to SpectraCare Personnel Policies and Procedures, SpectraCare Clinical Policy, including but not limited to the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.
• Order, properly store, and maintain appropriate quantity of food used for snack.
• Maintain pantry stock and discard food upon expiration.
• Maintain/assist with the cleanliness of the unit as required.
• Adhere to health and sanitation standards set for personal cleanliness and cleanliness of all helpers.
• Absorb and replace soiled clothes/linens with clean ones.
• Treat individuals with respect and courtesy at all times.
• Receive and respond to inquiries promptly and courteously.
• Meet with supervisor as established.
• Follow guidelines of SpectraCare Personnel Policy, SpectraCare Clinical Policy, including but not limited to the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and contractual entities.
• Participate in trainings, workshops, in-services and/or administrative meetings as assigned.
• Ensure any necessary documentation is completed and up to date before annual leave or personal leave is taken.
• Provide all support staff duties for absent secretary where needed and requested by supervisor.
• Adhere to Dress Code as set forth in the SpectraCare policies and procedures.
• Performs duties independently and/or with minimal supervision.
• Works in a cooperative manner with other SpectraCare employees, individuals, and/or family members.
• Functions and performs well in stressful environments and manages work related stress to ensure individual safety.
• Applies seclusion, protective holds and/or restraint per SpectraCare policy and procedures.
• Documents crises, protective holds, seclusions and restraints.
• Participates in beginning/end of shift unit reporting.
• Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit/program at SpectraCare based on facility needs as directed.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of mental illness, substance use, development disabilities, autism spectrum disorder.
• Ability to have patience and emotional stability.
• Ability to respond professionally in a crisis situation.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of job tasks.
• Knowledge of business English, spelling and arithmetic.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Ability to operate office machines such as computer, fax machine, and copy machine.
• Ability to read instruction manuals printed in English.
• Ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of job tasks, in a safe manner without endangering any employee, individual, or asset.
• Ability to follow through with detailed assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to follow orders and directives and work with supervisor and other staff.
• Ability to adhere to SpectraCare policy, HIPAA laws, and 42 CFR regarding confidentiality.
• Ability to adhere to health and safety standards.
• Ability to stay awake during working shift.
• Basic knowledge of individual’s rights.
• Ability to communicate effectively with seriously mentally ill/substance use individuals and staff, both written and oral.
• Ability to adapt to conditions which may vary considerably.
• Ability to relay coping skills, positive attitude skills and self-esteem.
• Ability to facilitate educational groups to individuals in the unit.
• Ability to function and perform well in stressful environments and manage work related stress to ensure safety of those in the unit.
• Ability to travel as necessary.
• Ability to function within professional boundaries with patients and others.
• Ability to assist in establishing support systems and interface with agencies, organizations, and groups.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with other staff, Program Director and all levels of organizational staff.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative.