The Mental Health Tech (MHT) participates in the delivery of patient care to the psychiatric patient in crisis, under the supervision of an RN. The MHT will assist in providing, monitoring, and maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment. Other responsibilities include specimen collection, activities of daily living, behavioral management, crisis intervention, and implementation of patient treatment in accordance with physician orders, RN directives, hospital and unit specific policies and procedures, and defined standards of patient care and clinical practice. The MHT provides clinical patient care support in a caring, safe, and efficient manner, under the direction of an RN. In collaboration with patients and families (as defined by the patient) the MHT is responsible for the care of the patient. The MHT adheres to and is supportive of the hospital the Department of Nursing’s, mission and philosophy.

Monitor and maintain the therapeutic environment.
Performs unit patient safety rounds every 15 minutes.
Participate in identification, management, and stabilization of crisis situations.
Responds appropriately in lifesaving situations.
Transports patients and remains with them for the duration of any tests performed.
Assist in the implementation and documentation of seclusion and restraint usage.
Assists with physical examination, safety and contraband searches, transferring, and discharging patients.
Utilizes therapeutic communication techniques to perform and document interventions.
Participates in oncoming and off going shift reports.
Performs O2 sat monitoring
Develops a therapeutic rapport with patients and their families
Performs phlebotomy on all patients.
Performs and documents point-of-care testing, patient mobility and exercise, comfort, rest, sleep and care needs, patient hygiene, grooming, dressing, skincare, dietary, toileting and elimination needs.
Accompanies patients, and waits with them when appropriate, to their discharge transportation (personal vehicle, cab, etc.)
Performs clerical duties; use of a fax machine/copier/printers, answers phone, computers as required.
Assists other members of the nursing care team and/or other disciplines.
Delivers successful service to our internal and external customers by adhering to critical success standards: demonstrating accountability and commitment to quality and safety standards; providing exceptional customer service; and exerting effort to ensure a positive work environment that demonstrates dedication to the hospital’s mission, vision and values
Performs delegated and ancillary basic nursing skills, including activities of daily living, monitoring of patient condition, body mechanics, providing nutritional support and other activities as appropriate to clinical service, in accordance with hospital standards, nursing standards of care, and policies and procedures.
May perform skills, within scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel. These skills include, but are not limited to, the collection of specimens, use of specialized equipment, restraint monitoring and patient elimination procedures. Communicates performance of these skills to the patient’s Registered Nurse and other members of the healthcare team.
Performs functional assignments per unit standards of care, including such activities as patient admission and discharge procedures, unit environmental organizational tasks, and others as appropriate to service.
Demonstrates appropriate emergency and patient safety procedures, including management of safety devices and equipment. Maintains a safe, comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients/families in accordance with hospital standards.
Participates in training, development and continuing education activities to improve role functioning.
Responsible for knowing and demonstrating National Patient Safety standards. Participates in department-based activities and initiatives to improve and ensure a safe environment
Participates in performance improvement activities; quality improvement and patient safety activities; assists in maintaining compliance with Joint Commission accreditation and other internal and external regulatory standards including the code of conduct.
Communicates effectively with members of the health care team, patients and families, often under stress or emergency situations.
Transports specimens to lab as needed
Cross-trains and provides staffing support to the alternate ULH psychiatric unit as needed.
Provides sitter support staffing to other nursing medical/surgical units when appropriate
Facilitates and co-facilitates therapeutic groups and other programming activities (Inpatient Psychiatry).
Prepares patients for electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) and assists the physician during the procedure (Inpatient Psychiatry)
Transports and remains with patients for the duration of time needed for Dialysis (Inpatient Psychiatry).
Assists visitors in securing their belongings prior to entering the unit (Inpatient Psychiatry).
Assists Security with contraband searches in the Search Room prior to entering EPS as needed.(Emergency Psychiatry)
Will be required to transport patients from Emergency Psychiatric Services to Inpatient Psychiatric Services (Emergency Psychiatry)
Performs EKGs (Emergency Psychiatry)

Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:
High School Graduate or equivalent.
Preferred: Completion of a recognized Clinical Assistant, Medical Assistant or EMT Training Program, or Nursing students who have completed Fundamentals of Nursing Course from an accredited School of Nursing. College course work in social and health sciences preferred.

EXPERIENCE: Internal/External candidates:
Preferred: Current Certification as a Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or be enrolled in an accredited School of Nursing with completion of Fundamentals of Nursing course. Medical terminology and computer skills preferred. LPNs may apply.
Ability to read, interpret, and follow detailed verbal, written and illustrated instructions; ability to write simple sentences, to complete forms, chart patient data, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, caregivers, other employees, and the general public.
One year experience in inpatient or emergency psychiatry or related area preferred.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION: American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR required.
NVCI certification required.