Mental Health Technician

MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN

Three Shifts Available:

• First Shift: 8:00am - 4:00pm
• Second Shift: 4:00pm - Midnight
• Third Shift: Midnight - 8:00am

Overview
Under direct supervision of the Unit Manager, the Mental Health Technician observes and assists mental health patients by helping with daily living activities and socialization in Uptown Research Institute’s 8-bed observation unit. The technician is responsible for the overall maintenance of a therapeutic environment in the unit and ensuring the safety and security of patients and staff. The technician will also possess the ability to notice changes and report observations of individual patients. This position requires compassion and the ability to interact with patients exhibiting differing levels of mental illness.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide care to patients in a manner that promotes safety, comfort, and the therapeutic environment.

• Perform courteous, efficient, and high-quality service to patients and staff members.
• Monitor patients’ physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to clinical staff.
• Observe and document changes in behaviors, symptoms, and needs of patients.
• Encourage and assist patients with activities of daily living; attend to patient behavioral problems and provide assistance in crisis intervention, as needed.
• Assist patients with mealtimes and light meal preparation.
• Work with other members of a multidisciplinary team in leading unit activities, such as community meetings, goals groups, arts & crafts, fitness groups, activities of daily living groups, and/or recreational activities, as appropriate to the patient population.

• Maintain strict patient confidentiality.

• Transport or assist in transporting patients to and from appointments, clinics, and/or treatments, as and when appropriate.
• Attend and participate in group sessions, in-service education, and staff meetings.
• Comply with good clinical practices, established institutional policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, and safety, environmental and infection control standards.

• Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in service meetings and workshops.

• May provide liaison with patients, families of patients, or external facilities and agencies.

• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to treat patients with dignity and empathy..
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
• Ability to observe and document changes in patients’ behavior, symptoms, and needs.
• Ability to provide therapeutic patient care to mental health patients.
• Ability to understand and follow safety procedures.
• Ability to communicate and interact with mental health professionals in a team environment.
• Ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive, confidential issues.
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• Good physical condition.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; at least 6 months of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

• Experience working in a mental health institution or psychiatric ward a plus.

Conditions of Employment

• Candidates must successfully pass a criminal background check.
• Candidates must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and willing to comply with all CDC and company Covid guidelines.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work is performed in an 8-bed inpatient unit in connection with a free-standing clinical research site.

• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Hours

• 8 hour shifts, may include overnight
• Monday - Sunday
• May include on-call

Company

• Opened in 2001, Uptown Research Institute is Chicago’s premier private clinical trial site. URI has conducted clinical trials in the areas of Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Bipolar, OCD, PTSD, and Tardive Dyskinesia. The company offers competitive compensation and a nice place to work.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Medical Specialty:

• Psychiatry

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Every weekend
• Night shift
• On call
• Overnight shift

Ability to Commute:

• Chicago, IL 60640 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Chicago, IL 60640: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $23