Mental Health Tech II

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Observe patients and assess progress on daily basis; report significant changes in patients' condition and/or behavior to supervising RN/Psychiatrist
• Interact with patients on a one-to-one basis providing recreational or social activities and reinforce patient teaching.
• Provide verbal de-escalation of agitated patients or visitors.
• Provide care and monitoring of patients in seclusion and/or restraint.
• Provide protection and control for patients as required to ensure patient safety in the facility.
• Participate in restraining combative patients as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with safety and infection control guidelines including universal precautions for self and patients.
• Patrols and identifies safety hazards and unsafe conditions that could cause injury to people and/or damage to property.
• Maintains patient rights in accordance with applicable state's Patient's Bill of Rights.
• Maintains security of high-risk and sensitive areas.
• Follows established precautions, protocols, and standard operating procedures.
• Attends all department training required by continuing education.
• Provides age/developmentally appropriate assistance in accordance with Age/Developmental Specific Care Guidelines for the specific age groups served.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED, required. Bachelor's degree, preferred.
• Two years in a direct care role in a behavioral healthcare setting, preferred.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION:

• Current BCLS for healthcare providers required.
• Ability to successfully complete generic and department specific skills validation and competency training to include Security Services Basic Officer Training Program to include subject certification in crisis intervention, pepper foam, handcuffing, etc.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficient computer skills to utilize electronic medical record in a time efficient manner.
• Ability to complete generic and department-specific skills validation and competency training successfully.
• Ability to communicate professionally and make independent decisions.
• Ability to evaluate and appropriately respond to verbal and nonverbal communication from psychiatric patients across the life span.
• Demonstrates ability to escort psychiatric patients off unit.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Prolonged standing and walking; constant mobility
• Interaction with patients, physicians, and staff in sometimes stressful situations.
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations
• Handles emergency and crisis situations.
• Subject to many interruptions
• Occasionally subject to irregular hours
• Exposure to danger of assaults
• Pushing, pulling, and lifting patients
• Potential exposure to bloodborne diseases, infectious and communicable diseases
• Possible exposure to toxic chemicals or unpleasant odors