Job Description
Job Description
Job Title : Outpatient Mental Health Technician
Supervised by : Program Manager
Job Summary : Must be able to lift and transfer patients using good body mechanics to prevent injuries. Must be able to work on feet for 8-hour shifts. Some physical demands are varied due to unpredictability and somewhat high-risk environment associated with working geriatric acute and chronic psychiatric patients. Must be able to perform in an interrupted, constantly changing type of environment. Job hazards include risk of personal injury and / or exposure to communicable diseases and activity associated with psychiatric patients with the potential to lose control.
Qualifications :
- Must be 18 years of age or older. Must have high school diploma or equivalent, college background preferred. Must be able to obtain vital signs as described in the typical duties above. Completion and certification in a formal nursing assistant program or Mental Health Technician course preferred. One year experience in a related field or as a MHT preferred.
- Must have clean driving record.
- Chauffer's license is preferred.
Description of activities or skills :
Performs all aspects of direct patient care including hygiene.Delivers care not requiring a license and under direct supervision by licensed staff.Takes vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration. Documents vital signs onto the graphic record accurately.Recognizes and reports abnormal vital signs to nurse in a timely fashion.Assists nurses, physicians, and patients during treatments, procedures, exams, etc. Also, assists patients with specimen collection.Orients new patients to the program upon admission.Assists with admissions, transfers, and discharges of patients as instructed.Provides a clean, comfortable, safe and therapeutic environment for patients, staff and visitors.Assists patients with nourishment, snacks and mealsPerforms program cleaning duties as instructed by the Program DirectorProvides care to patients in a manner that considers patients rights.Assists with transports in and outside the facility.Intervenes to decrease panic in disturbed patientsObserves patient behavior for changes in order to intervene appropriately or report to appropriate person.Remains in patient areas for meals, breaks, or errands off the facility property.Sets limits on a patient’s behavior with the assistance of a professional staff.Encourages independent behavior in appropriate patients.Completes all required annual in-servicesParticipates and attends program staff meetings.Participates and attends committee meetings as assignedParticipates in clinical staffing as instructed by the Program DirectorAttends and participates in therapies, including social work group therapy and other programmatic groups offered by other disciplines as directed.Demonstrates an active interest in patients by making appropriate contact with these patients, communicating with patients, and maintaining a supportive, empathetic and respectful therapeutic style.Keeps consistently abreast of applicable facility policies and procedures and immediately conforms to changes in themImplements fire / safety / disaster / code when necessary under the direction of the Program Director.Serves as a role model for patients and peers.Collaborates with members of other disciplinesMaintains a good working relationship with the nursing, medical and ancillary staff and patients and visitorsAdheres to all facility and personnel rules and regulations .Makes frequent patient contact to evaluate the needs of the patients.Adheres to the established dress code.Monitors and reports maintenance, safety, or housekeeping problems to supervisor, completes appropriate admission forms and forwards to the appropriate personsFunctions as a visitor escort and monitors visitation as instructed by a supervisorMust demonstrate adequate communication skills to allow for effectiveness in working within the treatment program.Will demonstrate a proficiency in the following skills and personal attributes :i. Good grooming and appearance
ii. Courteous diplomatic manner
iii. Good reading comprehension and spelling ability
iv. Neat and legible handwriting
v. Ability to work well with others
vi. Ability to follow orders
vii. Punctual and dependable in attendance
viii. Uses discretion in handling confidential information regarding patients, personnel, and facility policies.
Demonstrates good, working knowledge of programDemonstrates knowledge and understanding of development characteristics across the lifespan.Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of emotional and behavioral disorders of the chronically mentally ill.Demonstrates knowledge of policies related to suspected abuse / neglect proc edures including interviewing, reporting and documenting.Performs other duties as assignedCompletes tasks in a timely fashionDemonstrates ability to prioritize tasksAdheres to all facility policies and proceduresMaintains Class D Chauffeurs licenseTransports patients in professional, timely, and safe manner.Operates vehicle in a safe mannerMaintains vehicle in clean fashion, reports any maintenance needs to supervisor, and assists in facilitation of maintenance records.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.
