The Mental Health Technician assists in the provision of nursing care assigned patients through the nursing process (Assessment, Planning, Intervention, and Evaluation). The Mental Health Technician reports to the Nurse Manager/Charge Nurse or his/her designee for the assigned shift.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Applies hospital patient care standards to patient care activities. Assists in initial admission assessment of patients and collaborates with professional staff in disposition of patients. Intervenes appropriately with critical patients, such as during escalation, suicidal behavior, and elopement. Assists in the development and implementation of the patient's plan of care, based on identified needs, appropriate to patient age, consistent with the physician's plan of care and mutually agreed upon with patient/family. Follows policy and procedures to ensure patient safety (i.e. observational patient checks, sharps policy, visitors policy, patient searches etc.) Performs/assists patient with activities of daily living (i.e. bathing, feeding, ambulating etc.). Under the supervision of the nurse as necessary. Performs effectively in emergency situations. Communicates and documents patient progress/responses toward expected outcome(s) and reports pertinent observations. Takes temperature pulse, respirations and blood pressure as ordered. Weighs patients as ordered. Develops a therapeutic relationship with assigned patients using counseling interventions to assist patients in coping, fostering mental health, and preventing mental illness or disability. Encourages independent behavior in patients. Sets limits on a patients behavior at appropriate times. Co-leads patient groups when assigned. Responds to patient family needs and customer care concerns as soon as possible with compassion and understanding. Promotes a professional atmosphere through courteous communication with patients, visors, physicians and co-workers. Observes and respects the privacy and confidentiality of information with regards to patients, physicians and peers. Demonstrates mission and values with patients, families, peers and other members of health team. Collaborates with peers, physicians and other members of health team. Promotes attendance of patients in all therapeutic groups, community meetings and activities. Attends and participates in treatment plan meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Current Basic Life Support certification.

EDUCATION:

Associate degree (Bachelor's preferred) in the Human Services field and/or the equivalent in experience.

OTHER:

If applicable, the individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

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About WMC Health

WMCHealth is a 1,900-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, with ten hospitals on eight campuses spanning 6,200 square miles of the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 12,000 people and has nearly 3,000 attending physicians. From Level 1, Level 2 and Pediatric Trauma Centers, the region’s only acute care children’s hospital, an academic medical center, several community hospitals, dozens of specialized institutes and centers, a state of the art Telemedicine program, skilled nursing, assisted living facilities, homecare services and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State, today WMCHealth is the pre-eminent provider of integrated healthcare in the Hudson Valley.

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