A Mental Health Technician is a professional who provides support to mental healthcare professionals within a mental health crisis center facility.  They observe and record patient behavior and activities and make report to nurses and doctors as required. They ensure patient comfort and care while being treated by engaging with patients during groups and between medical treatments, preparing and serving patient meals, and supervising patient showers and other personal care as needed.  Mental Health Technicians also ensure patient safety by utilizing de-escalation skills to calm patients who might be experiencing a crisis. All de-escalation skills and training will be provided after hire.

Primary Job Functions:

General responsibilities

• Responds to crisis situations throughout facility and implements proper SafeClinch interventions
• Provides ongoing monitoring and interaction with patients, assist educational staff as needed
• Follows unit schedule per program guidelines
• Provides daily assessment of patient’s behavior via daily documentation requirements according to policy and standards
• Assists patients with personal care issues (bathing, toileting and other personal hygiene items), medical appointments, medication use issues, chores, outings, recreational activities and safety issues as needed
• Provides training on basic living skills according to the patient’s treatment goals, as identified by treatment team
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
• Applies seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe Policy and Procedure
• Conducts patient and room searches for contraband items per AltaPointe Policy and Procedure
• Works with patients and staff to ensure unit cleanliness to include but not limited to patient bedrooms and all common areas
• Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit based on facility needs as directed by the Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse
• Conducts Environmental Rounds on a daily basis and documents accordingly
• Provides monitoring and interaction with patients
• Prepares end of shift (EOS) report
• FOR DRIVING STAFF ONLY: any accident or driving violation must be reported to the supervisor and HR
• Provides one to one coverage for patients on special status as assigned
• Performs additional duties as assigned by supervisor
• Performs hand-off communication at shift change
• Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members
• Models appropriate behavior including but not limited to communication skills, grooming, manners, etc.
• Effectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competencies
• Routinely monitors cameras
• Inquires as to reason of visit when/if visitors appear to be “hanging around”
• Provides backup support to front desk
• Notifies management of issues that surface

Supervision and consultation

• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance skills

Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers

• Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
• Manages physically aggressive consumers in a manner which protects individual dignity, respect, and self-esteem
• Respects consumers’ privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the consumers’ needs, expectations, and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families

Administrative and other related duties as assigned

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
• Attends appropriate in-services training and other workshops

Physical Requirements of the Job:

• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and carry at least 25 pounds.
• Must be able to walk while carrying food trays or other items without losing balance.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, or squat without falling over.
• Must be able to reach forward or overhead without restriction.
• Must have fine dexterity and fine manipulation ability to ensure ability to utilizes keys, grasp paperwork, pull/turn doorknobs, etc...
• Must have visual acuity in at least one eye and full range of head and neck motions.

Minimum Qualifications: 

High school diploma or equivalent; knowledge of the adult specialties outlined below to be attained within six (6) months of employment.

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in adult populations.
• Basic knowledge of growth and development of patients as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of the patients’ development.
• Basic knowledge of behavior management.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic patients, as well as, non-violent crisis intervention practices.
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adult psychiatric disorders.
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles.
• Knowledge of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Knowledge of Substance Use Disorder