Mental Health Technician

Job Details

Summary
With a commitment to patient and family centered care, the Mental Health Technician assists in delivering care, observing patient behaviors and assisting with various aspects of patient care. The Mental Health Technician works closely with the R.N. and reports any changes in patient's mood or behavior in a timely fashion.

Job Description

Job Duties

• Recognizes the patients, their family/designated care partner(s) in providing safe, compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient's personal preferences, priorities, needs, and cultural beliefs and values.
• Communicates with and supports the interprofessional team, patient, family and designated care partners. Communicates effectively with patients, families, staff and other customers in written form, telephone conversations, and other verbal interactions. Leverages therapeutic communication skills and offers emotional support to patients.
• Utilizes verbal de-escalation skills in response to observed patient behaviors and follows established protocols for safe and effective management of same. Ensures patient safety by observing patient behaviors and completing scheduled rounding.
• Leads or assists with group activities such as community meeting, recreational groups and other unit activities. Assists RN with patient care activities following established unit protocols and competencies. Helps to maintain a safe, neat and clean patient care environment to facilitate safe and effective patient care.
• Assists patients with completion of activities such as personal care, ambulation, feeding and encourages independent completion of these activities when possible. May provide direct observation for safety of assigned patient. Completes required documentation accurately and efficiently, in accordance with hospital policy and department guidelines.
• Actively participates in unit, hospital and division meetings and work groups as assigned. May participate in the orientation of new staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED with at least 1 year related health care experience preferred for Non-Philadelphia County Jefferson campuses . or
• High School Diploma/GED along with the completion of a supervised mental health or addiction practicum and completion of 12 college credits in the social sciences + 2 years of experience in mental health or addictions care required. or
• Bachelor’s Degree in humanities or social services + 1 year of experience in mental health or addictions care.
• Knowledge of behavioral treatment techniques and procedures,
• Manage and maintain high quality behavioral therapeutic interventions for diverse mental health population
• Familiar with and knowledgeable about the operating principles and code of ethics for the Jefferson Health, ability to apply this understanding appropriately to healthcare related situations.
• Knowledge of the relevance of health information and appropriate documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of the risks faced by patients in a healthcare environment, and the ability to take steps to reduce these risks.
• BLS - Basic Life Support AHA - American Heart Association

Additional Qualifications
Physical Demands
Lift and carry 40-50 lbs. Examples: Push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient's weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking. Patient transporters can walk 8-10 miles per shift. *Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.

Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

Work Shift

Workday Evening (United States of America)

Worker Sub Type

Regular

Employee Entity

Albert Einstein Medical Center

Primary Location Address

5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.    

Jefferson is committed to providing equal educa­tional and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status. 

Benefits

Jefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including medical (including prescription), supplemental insurance, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, tuition assistance, as well as voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts. Colleagues have access to tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service. All colleagues, including those who work less than part-time (including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance.

For more benefits information, please click here