General Purpose:

Works as a member of the interdisciplinary mental health team providing care in accordance with the policies and procedures of the contracting employer to mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, under the direct supervision of the nurse or licensed physician.

Essential Functions:

• Supports patient participation in the educational, recreational and therapeutic activities as defined in the patient’s individualized treatment plan.
• Administers medications as permitted by state law or regulation, and in accordance with the contracting employer’s policies and procedures.
• Leads or facilitates group sessions as deemed qualified and assigned, in accordance with the contracting employer’s policies and procedures.
• Appropriately responds to patient aggression or violence under the direction of the supervising nurse or licensed physician and in accordance with the contracting employer’s policies and procedures.
• Observes and communicates any physical or behavioral changes in the patient’s condition to the physician, team leader or supervising nurse.
• Provides hands-on care to patients with a wide variety of psychiatric and medical conditions.
• Reads and understands policy and procedure manuals, written assignments, and operates equipment according to manufacturer’s operating instructions and the contracting employer’s policy.
• Responds to questions or complaints from physicians, patients, family/visitors, co-workers and supervisors in a courteous manner according to the contracting employer’s policies and procedures.
• Clearly communicates information to patients, family, and staff.
• Understands instructions furnished in written, oral or schedule form.
• Establishes effective relationships with patients, physicians, families/visitors, co-workers and supervisors.
• Provides care to all patients with respect and compassion.
• Carries out assigned tasks in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintains a safe environment for all patients assigned.
• Documents in a clearly written or electronic manner all patient interactions and the patient’s response in accordance with the contracting employer’s policies and procedures.
• Works under the direct supervision of the contracting employer, who is also responsible for monitoring work in progress and reevaluating the status of the assigned work at the end of the shift/assignment.
• Completes training or new assignments/tasks and any subsequent competency validation per the direction and procedures of the contracting employer.
• Completes other assignments as requested and assigned. 
• May have access to personal health information (“PHI”) necessary to fulfill the above duties and responsibilities. Access to use and ability to disclose PHI is further defined by each organization/department.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent; Associate’s Degree in biological, social or behavioral science preferred and as required by contracting employer.
• One (1) year experience working as a mental health tech in a hospital, community mental health center or alcohol/drug program or psychiatrist’s office.
• Licensure, certification, or registration, as required by state law/regulation and as required by the contracting employer.
• Evidence of current Basic Life Support (BLS) training including adults, children and infants or as required by the contracting employer.
• Meets other state specific requirements as applicable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Effectively reads and communicates in the English language.
• Good interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team, including but not limited to the ability to manage stress appropriately, to make decision under pressure, and to handle priorities.
• Ability to maintain and demonstrate professional behavior at all times.

Working Conditions & Physical Effort:

• Ability to work in areas that are confined and/or crowded.
• Ability to spend varying amounts of time sitting, standing and walking.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs. with or without assistance
• Sufficient endurance to perform the required tasks over long periods of time.
• Work environment involves frequent exposure to communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens and/or potentially infectious or hazardous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment (e.g. face masks, goggles, latex and or non-latex gloves).