Mental Health Tech

Standards of Performance:

• Assessment:
• Document patient information and patient care.
• Take and record vital signs and reports abnormalities to the Charge Nurse.
• Utilize sound judgment and observe and document any changes in a patient’s appearance or behavior and communicate this to the Charge Nurse.

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  Intervention:
• Employ principles of communication, interviewing techniques, problem solving and crisis intervention when performing interventions.
• Provides appropriate intervention related to patient’s concerns.
• Identifies patients at risk and implements procedures to monitor and reduce at risk factors.
• Utilize appropriate interventions in psychiatric and medical emergencies.
• Maintains a therapeutic relationship and observes appropriate staff/ patient boundaries.
• Assist patient through the admission and the discharge processes.
• Assist patient with personal hygiene and activities of daily living.
• Assist the patient with feeding, as needed.
• Assist with comfort measures/ safety measures.
• Escort patients to treatment areas.
• Assist with the collection of specimens as directed by the Charge Nurse.
• Take vital signs, document them, and notify Charge Nurse of abnormalities.

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  When unable to conduct observations arrange and handoff rounds when engaged in another task.
• Perform precautions as ordered.
• Recognizes own limitations, seeks information and advice when unable to solve conflicts/ problems on an individual basis.
• Maintains safety of individual patients and milieu.

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  Teaching:
• Teach and assist the patient proper hygiene and ensure adherence to hygiene methods.
• Carry out teaching activities identified in the treatment plan under the supervision of the Charge Nurse.
• Model and teach appropriate social skills.
• Orient patients to the unit and program, providing continuous guidance as needed.
• Participate in Performance Improvement projects, as appropriate.

• 
  Milieu:
• Monitor unit activity and encourages patient participation.
• Provide a safe, clean and therapeutic environment.
• Supervise and assist patients.
• Check patients for contraband and follow patient belonging process.
• Provide structure and maintain a therapeutic environment in collaboration with the patient and other health care providers.
• Consistently utilize standard precautions and environmental safety guidelines.
• Utilize self as a role model to promote health communication.
• Report potential crisis situations to the Charge Nurse and respond appropriately.
• Ensure patient safety through continuous supervision of patient.
• Conduct room sweeps twice a shift.

• 
  Performance:
• Assume responsibilities for the completion of all patient care responsibilities and other assigned duties.
• Attend annual in-services and mandatory educational programs.
• Participate in Performance Improvement Program.
• Collaborate with other team members.
• Comply with established measures for infection control, OSHA regulations, and risk management, TAC, CMS and Joint regulations for patient monitoring.
• Use time constructively and in an organized manner to accomplish assigned responsibilities, delegate duties to other personnel as appropriate, and demonstrates good judgment abilities.
• Act as the patient’s advocate and ensure that patient rights are upheld.
• Demonstrate guest relations in communication, corporation and in giving assistance to patients, physicians, coworkers and visitors in a prompt and courteous manner.
• Follow facility, departmental and personnel policies and procedures.
• Comply with the employee Code of Ethics.
• Works overtime in case of emergency or as deemed necessary by supervisor.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

Experience

• A. Education: High School Degree or equivalent preferred; Certified Nurse Assistant preferred;Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, recreational therapy or appropriate therapeutic discipline preferred.B. Experience: At least one (1) year of related experience in a hospital setting with psychiatric experience preferred.