Mental Health Technician IV Crisis (Extended Observation)

This position is located at our Crisis Center located in Dothan, Alabama

Provide intermediate skilled direct care and oversight to individuals served in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
and any associated units. Duties include but not limited to: monitor individual’s behaviors and interactions with
others, activities of daily living, facilitating educational groups, teaching individual coping skills, encouraging
adherence to treatment requirements, safety observations and other duties as assigned. This position is an “awake”
position; therefore, no sleeping is permitted while on duty.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBLITIES/FUNCTIONS/TASKS:

1. Provide direct care and oversight to individuals served in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) and any
associated units, temporary observation, mobile crisis teams including but not limited to: monitor
individual’s behaviors and interactions with others, activities of daily living, safety observations and other
duties as assigned. Prepares snacks and/or meals for individuals as required by facility.
A. 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.
B. Perform unit rounds, as required, assessing the safety of the unit and individual in care.
C. Note significant changes in individual’s behavior and verbalizations, watching for cues of increased
anxiety or agitation and report to the clinical team.
D. Assist other staff members with actively disturbed and/or violent individuals, requesting for back-up
personnel when needed.
E. Assists in the education of individuals regarding behavioral / emotional techniques and support.
F. Prepares food and/or snack for individuals in the unit, monitoring individuals who may need
assistance with eating.
G. Assist 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.
H. 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.
I. Serves as a positive role model by establishing maintaining positive, therapeutic relationships and
appropriate boundaries with individuals and/or their families.
2. May provide educational group facilitation when appropriate.
A. Plans, organizes, and leads skills-based groups related to social skills, coping skills, self-esteem,
relaxation, etc.
B. 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.
3. Orders, properly stores, and maintains appropriate quantity of food used for snack.
A. Maintain pantry stock and discard food upon expiration.
4. Maintains/ assists with the cleanliness of the unit as required.
A. Adhere to health and sanitation standards set for personal cleanliness and cleanliness of all helpers.
B. Assist with changing bed linens, etc.
C. Ensure individual treatment areas are clean and free of clutter.
5. Assist with maintaining individual’s records in a professional manner and in accordance with all specified
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.
A. Ensure privacy and confidentiality of all individual records in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR
and all other applicable state or federal laws.
B. Ensure all written documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner.
C. Ensure that all records are staffed within standard time frames, with service plan revised as
needed and in accordance with standards.
D. Ensure that all progress notes are completed promptly, written in a professional manner and in
accordance with policies and procedures.
E. Ensure that goals are appropriate, specific, and the focus of treatment.
F. Ensure that all individual information is kept up to date.
6. Ability to safely operate system vehicles to include wheelchair/handicap vehicles when transporting
individuals.
A. Assists individuals on and off the vehicle, to include individuals with limited mobility.
B. Correctly loading and unloading wheelchair users on lift to ensure safety.
C. Correctly secure wheelchair users on bus safely by ensuring wheelchair and individual is strapped in
securely utilizing the correct belts to prevent injuries.
D. Conduct system vehicle maintenance checklist as required by SpectraCare policy.
E. Maintain cleanliness of vehicles.
F. Transport individuals, as needed.
G. Follow guidelines of Cell Phone policy while driving system vehicles.
7. Responsible for helping individuals with basic living skills/functions and/or learning opportunities.
A. Assist individuals with hygiene needs.
B. Teach individuals about maintaining proper hygiene and grooming to increase level of functioning.
C. Assist with cleaning individual if soiled and replacing soiled clothes/linens with clean ones.
8. Performs other duties including but not limited to:
A. Treat individuals with respect and courtesy at all times.
B. Ensure necessary documentation is completed in a timely manner with minimal errors and in
compliance with applicable guidelines and policies.
C. Receive and respond to inquiries promptly and courteously.
D. Meet with supervisor as established.
E. 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.
F. Participate in trainings, workshops, in-services and/or administrative meetings as assigned.
G. Ensure any necessary documentation is completed and up to date before annual leave or personal
leave is taken.
H. Provide all support staff duties for absent secretary where needed and requested by supervisor.
I. Adhere to Dress Code as set forth in the SpectraCare policies and procedures.
J. Performs duties independently and/or with minimal supervision.
K. Works in a cooperative manner with other SpectraCare employees, individuals, and/or family
members.
L. Perform all duties with the highest standard of ethics.
M. Functions within professional boundaries with individuals and others.
N. Works well with other staff and individuals to ensure safety of program, individuals and other staff.
O. Functions and performs well in stressful environments and manages work related stress to ensure
individual safety.
P. Applies seclusion, protective holds and/or restraint per SpectraCare policy and procedures.
Q. Documents crises, protective holds, seclusions and restraints.
R. Participates in beginning/end of shift unit reporting.
S. Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit / program at SpectraCare based on facility needs as
directed.
P. Other services, tasks, functions, and responsibilities deemed necessary; not otherwise specified.
9. Regular attendance with timely arrival and departure according to scheduled hours.
A. Must be able to work full time with rotating assignments as necessary to include but not limited to
overtime hours, nights and/or weekends as scheduled.
B. To ensure individual safety while on duty, must remain awake during scheduled working hours.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBLITIES/FUNCTIONS/TASKS:

• Attend all required job-related/system training.
• Assist in other areas as needed.
• Assumes other related duties as assigned.
• Conforms to System’s policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of mental illness, substance use, development disabilities, autism spectrum disorder
• Knowledge and understanding of crisis intervention techniques.
• 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 mental 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.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Complete initial new hire training.
• Complete required on the job training (OJT) training by department.
• Obtain proper certifications needed to perform job duties.
• Complete annual training as required by the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable

regulating and contractual entities.

WORK ENVIORNMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• There is an occasional need to maintain back extension while being on stomach with one’s own body

weight on hips and legs. This position is maintained for several minutes.

• Occasionally, be able to put one’s own body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of

one’s body.

• Occasionally, be able to kneel and reach to same side toward the floor.
• Strong grasp is needed to open doors throughout the facility, and to maintain constant contact with an

individual during a restrain procedure or with other hold techniques.

• There are times that require the employee to be able to ambulate as quickly as possible to assist

coworkers with an individual in a restraint procedure.

• Must be able to travel to system facilities and/or other locations/outings with exposure to changing

weather conditions.

• Work location is primarily in a temperature-controlled setting with minimal periods of sitting at a desk

with associated repetitive motions. Must understand and practice good ergonomic movements to avoid
injuries.

• Physical ability to correctly lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds on an infrequent basis.
• Required to talk to or hear staff, individuals, and/or others.
• Required to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, lunge, squat and/or reach frequently.
• There may be times when mopping, sweeping, making beds, washing/drying clothes for individuals may

be done.

• Employee may be exposed to one or more of the following: disagreeable odors, chemicals such as

disinfectants, cleansers, soaps, etc; latex, plastic and other materials used for personal protective
equipment; noise and distractions; unpleasant sights; unpredictable behaviors; body fluids; contagious
diseases; and/or wet floors.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Valid Driver's license and good MVR.
• Pass background check and drug screen as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• At least one year of clinical experience in the provision of direct client care.
• At least one year of clinical experience in the provision of client care in a mental health setting