Sr. Mental Health Technician, Adult Behavioral Health Unit, Full-time Nights

Overview

Sr. Mental Health Technician, Adult Behavioral Health Unit, Full-time Nights, Winston-Salem

JOB SUMMARY:  The Sr. Mental Health Technician provides patient care to psychiatric patients as directed by a Registered Nurse and according to the plan established by the treatment team for Adult and Pediatric Behavioral Health. Develops therapeutic relationships with patients and family members through participation in department and team treatment programs via educational groups and 1:1 interactions. Provides direct and indirect care to psychiatric patients across the life span.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:  Associate’s degree in human services, psychology or related field required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.  

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION:  Must obtain Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) training for physical restraint within 90 days of hire.  Current BCLS for healthcare providers required.  Nursing assistant certification preferred. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Collaborates with Registered Nurse to plan and initiate appropriate interventions consistent with policies and procedures.  Assists Registered Nurse and Treatment team with Milieu Management by managing supplies in line with guidelines to meet patient needs and budgetary constraints
2. Collects and communicates physical and psychosocial data about health status of patient/family in a systematic and continuous manner.  Includes patient and family in this process. Observes and reports symptoms, behaviors, and changes in patient’s condition in a timely manner. Initiates one-to-one interactions with patients according to the milieu program. 
3. Participates in department treatment program as follows: uses creativity to determine therapeutic interventions that will result in maximal patient outcome. Carries out therapeutic interventions that are for specific patient needs. Communicates barriers with team. Collaborate with patients and the treatment team to optimize activities and patient schedule. Supports safe, appropriate, effective and efficient patient care by providing accurate, thorough and timely documentation that consistently meets departmental requirements.
4. Demonstrates knowledge of standards of care practice. Incorporates these into practice and holds self and others accountable for practicing according to these standards. Consistently performs safety checks correctly with accurate documentation. Performs environmental rounds as required on each shift, with appropriate follow-up to RN and appropriate documentation. 
5. Serves as an adult role model for all patients and peers. Advocates for patient needs. Assists with milieu management of department. Facilitates patient educational groups.
6. Assists with orientation and training of new staff, demonstrates an ongoing commitment to improve the performance and skill of co-workers. Serves as a preceptor to new employees on a routine basis. Demonstrates competencies of the preceptor/resource role. Formulates recommendations to improve individual performance. Facilitates constructive feedback regarding own performance. Actively participates in department/hospital committee/taskforce. Actively participates in department/hospital committee/taskforce. Participates in ongoing revision and development of department policies, procedures, guidelines, and program groups to maintain/improve quality. Consistently utilizes non-patient care time by offering assistance to team. 
7. Maintains patient rights in accordance with North Carolina's Patient’s Bill of Rights.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

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

Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills

Solid computer skills to utilize electronic medical record in a time efficient manner

Good organization skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize

Knowledge of concepts, procedures and techniques

Team building and problem solving skills

Critical thinking and decision making skills

Ability to work in stressful situations

High level manual dexterity required

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances

May have to physically constrain/restrain agitated patients 

Exposure to infection disease-bearing specimens

Possible exposure to infections and contagious diseases

Exposure to the risk of bloodborne diseases

Occasional exposure to radiation hazards

Exposure to housekeeping/cleaning agents/chemicals

Subject to many interruptions

Occasionally subject to irregular hours

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: