Mental Health Tech

The Behavioral Health Technician is an integral part of a multidisciplinary care team. Under the direction of licensed nursing personnel operates within the scope of training and hospital guidelines performs a variety of technical and specialized skills that assist with addressing the treatment plan and needs of the patient. Responsibilities may include but not limited to data collection, identification of patient risk factors, general patient care, and documentation. Direct observation and monitoring of patients deemed to be at risk to self or others. Care is provided to all patients based on age specific development and cultural values. Assist in the orientation of new employees as well as students and other trainees. 

Position Requirements: 

1. Licensure/Certification/Registration: 

• BLS – Healthcare provider American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) 

• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) within 90 days of hire then every 2 years 

• Prior experience in Behavioral Health setting 

• Nursing Assistant or Patient Care Tech/Behavioral Health Tech certification highly desirable 

2. Education: Basic reading comprehension required 

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2. Experience: Behavioral Health care experience. Must possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively meet the needs of the patient/internal & external customer. Performs in accordance with delineated job responsibilities and satisfactorily completes a yearly evaluation based on these responsibilities. 

4. Special qualifications: Must have the ability to effectively read, write and speak fluent English. Effective communication skills; both orally and written. Computer skills needed. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and to work with others within a team to ensure quality patient care.

DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: 

Job Responsibility: Provides direct patient care. 

1. Conducts initial and ongoing data collection regarding patients individually and in groups and uses that data to initiate appropriate therapeutic intervention. 

2. Identifies potential risk factors and communicates observations to the RN. Implements interventions under the direction of the RN; such as safety levels, room programs, seclusion, restraint, etc. according to policy and procedure including associated documents. 

3. Utilizes the multi-disciplinary treatment plan and own knowledge and skill to guide interventions with patients. Provide comprehensive care to patients as assigned including physical, as well as psychological care. Contributes to the plan of care and revision of that plan.

5. Documents observations, interventions and outcomes in the medical record according to policy and procedure. 

6. Provides educational information to patients and families. 

Job Responsibility: Manages groups of patients 

1. Plan, lead or co-lead groups and activities with patients and documents observations in the medical record. Assess patients for appropriateness for inclusion in activities. 

2. Assists with patient and family education regarding treatment issues and documents on patient and family education form. 

Job Responsibility: Provide for a safe and therapeutic milieu 

1. Monitors patient behavior on the unit intervening as appropriate to ensure patient safety. Documents observations, interventions and outcomes in medical record. 

2. Assists patients in maintaining individual and common areas. 

3. Communicates pertinent information to RN and treatment team.

4. Promotes therapeutic atmosphere on unit. 

5. Ensures that all interventions are implemented in such a manner that the patients’ rights, dignity and safety are assured. 

6. Orients patients and families to the programs and expectations. 

7. Assists in the cleaning and maintenance of order in the clinical area. 

Job Responsibility: Maintains current and up-to-date knowledge and skills related to patient treatment. 

1. Seeks appropriate learning opportunities. 

2. Maintains certification in CPI & BLS according to policy. Completes annual TB testing. 

3. Provides care in a manner that demonstrates competence in the implementation of these techniques as indicated by the clinical presentation. 

4. Assists in the orientation of new employees as well as students & trainees. 

Degree of Supervision Required: 

 Involves general guidance and direction by Supervisors and/or Department Manager. The employee will be expected to perform most job duties independently and in accordance with established departmental and hospital policies and procedures. 

Patient Experience Performance Expectations 

LEADERSHIP: Demonstrates that everything in the culture is focused on patient and family centered care, practiced everywhere in the health system, at all levels of patient care and across the organization, including governance. 

• Creates an environment of constructive change and flexibility 

• Creatively responds to new situations and processes 

• Viewed as an inspiration and resource for others to implement change 

• Regarded by others as an individual who meets commitments

• Develops, shares and teaches ALWAYS events 

• Leads by example 

HEARTS AND MINDS: Hearts and minds of all team members and providers are fully engaged. 

• Consistently provides positive influences on team to support Trident Health’s Mission, Vision, Values and Ethics and Compliance program 

• Actively promotes team culture through open, honest feedback 

• Identifies team development opportunities 

• Consistently puts team ahead of personal needs/agenda 

• Brings conflict into the open and resolves issues 

• Champions cost effective behaviors in others 

• Teaches others how to manage up coworkers, departments, administration and physicians 

• Promotes shared decision making among the team 

RESPECTFUL PARTNERSHIP: Anchors each care interaction in a respectful partnership, anticipating and responding to patient and family needs (e.g., physical comfort, emotional, informational, cultural, spiritual and learning). 

• Consistently uses AIDET in interactions with all patients and coworkers 

• Consistently anticipates, addresses and resolves customer needs and problems 

• Develops ongoing relationships with customers by soliciting feedback and assessing satisfaction 

• Consistently applies customer feedback to make necessary changes 

• Promotes and suggests ideas based on patient survey results to identify, develop, share and teach ALWAYS events 

• Anticipates, identifies and removes barriers that block the delivery of an exceptional patient experience 

• Is regarded by others as an individual who meets commitments 

• Consistently uses Service Excellence standards and helps others understand and use the standards 

RELIABLE CARE: Delivers reliable, quality 24/7/365 via defined health system approaches and methods. 

• Works to increase team productivity by introducing new concepts 

• Is regarded as an influential team member by encouraging creativity and innovation

• Consistently generates ideas and processes in response to problems 

• Anticipates needs and takes appropriate actions to meet needs in advance 

• Viewed as an inspiration and resource to others 

• Leads by example 

• Develops, shares, and teaches ALWAYS events 

EVIDENCE-BASED CARE: Working as a team to instill confidence by providing collaborative, evidence-based care. 

• Consistently identifies, generates and leads process improvement and cost effective initiatives 

• Shares and promotes new processes and verifies understanding 

• Anticipates, identifies and removes barriers that block the delivery of care 

• Is regarded by other teams as inspiring, knowledgeable and skillful 

• Achieves team engagement in new initiatives 

• Leads by example 

• Develops, shares, and teaches ALWAYS events 

Ages of Patients Served: 

This position requires competency in providing service and/or care for the age groups indicated. The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care, based on physical, psycho/social, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned service area. The skills and knowledge needed to provide such care may be gained through education, training, or experience