JOB DUTIES:  Mental Health Technician

1. Escorts patient from admission area to unit and ensures patient room is prepared for use.

1. Follows the guidelines and accurately completes the Admission check sheet and other admission requirements.

1. Thoroughly completes personal and belongings search for contraband including body search.

1. Accurately takes, monitors and documents vital signs at time of admission and on an ongoing basis to include temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation and reports all vital signs results to the nurse

1. Orients patient to unit and gives tour of unit.

1. Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and provides assigned patient care within the general policies, philosophy and objectives of the Nursing Department and the hospital.

1. Implements interventions appropriate to the developmental needs of the patient in accordance with the treatment plan demonstrating sound clinical and professional judgment and competency.

1. Monitors unit milieu and maintains a safe, therapeutic environment for patients, family member and staff.  Modifies milieu according to developmental needs of the patients in collaboration with lead MHT and charge nurse.

1. Responds to patients in crisis and acts according to developmental needs of the patient to ensure patient and unit safety.

1. Completes patient rounds timely in accordance with unit requirements and accurately documents patient observations concurrently on the Patient Observation Record.

1. Demonstrates understanding of program patient level system to include privileges, consequences, etc. with regard to children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics.

1. Demonstrates knowledge and skills related to special treatment procedures for precautions, seclusions, restraints, elopements, close observations and searches.

1. Observes patient behaviors, informs charge nurse and/or Lead MHT of changes and implements procedures as directed by the nurse.

1. Uses the least restrictive approach to behavior management and reflects same in documentation.

1. Is knowledgeable of seclusion and restraint systems utilized with regard to children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics.

1. Accurately and thoroughly documents the maintenance of special treatment procedures in shift notes and on special observation record.

1. Demonstrates ability to recognize different types of abuse/neglect of patients and reporting mechanisms of such issues.
2. Utilize knowledge and skills related to crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation in order to provide a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.

1. Accurately and thoroughly documents interventions using goals developed in the Individual Treatment Plan.

1. Demonstrates knowledge of various mental health diagnoses and effect on patient treatment.

1. Provides for age appropriate recreational needs for children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics. 

1. Safely uses and maintains biomedical equipment.

1. Demonstrates knowledge and use of infection control/standard precaution principles to prevent exposure to and transmission of disease.

1. Obtains information from nurse regarding special needs related to medications and dietary restriction pertaining to children, adolescents, adults and geriatrics.

1. Accompanies patients off of the unit when instructed by the nurse, maintaining safety and eye-sight supervision at all times.