Mental Health Tech

MENTAL HEALTH TECH I

Position located at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center.

Compensation: $16.22/hr – $21.26/hr (based on experience, education, and business considerations).

Shift differentials: 17% for Weekday Nights, 26% for Weekend Nights, 15% for Weekend Day shifts.

Department: CPC Acute Services
FTE: 0.05

Schedule:

PRN, Days

Provide child, adolescent, or adult patient care in a treatment or educational milieu; assist in maintaining a safe, secure environment that enhances treatment and/or educational effectiveness. May operate in an in‑patient/residential environment or in outreach environments such as homes, schools, and community agencies.

• Provide care to patients in a manner that promotes safety, comfort, and the therapeutic environment.
• Provide education and training specific to individual patient needs, abilities, and learning preferences.
• Chart observations and required documentation following prescribed procedures and standards.
• Assist with physical needs of patients, including manual vital signs and specimen collection as designated.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living and behavioral problems; coordinate crisis intervention as needed.
• Participate in development, coordination, and implementation of patient treatment programs.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient records, adhering to HIPAA guidelines.
• Act as liaison with other departments, staff, and patients, in collaboration with the treatment team.
• Transport patients to and from appointments, clinics, laboratories, and treatments.
• Lead milieu activities such as daily living, current events, goals, fitness groups, community meetings, and recreational activities.
• Attend and participate in group sessions, in‑service education, and staff meetings.
• Process patient admission and registration as appropriate.
• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing electronic computer and information systems.
• Perform phlebotomy duties as assigned.
• Participate as a member of the Crisis Response Team, responding to psychiatric crises and assisting with transports.
• Assist patients to regain behavior control, escort to a safe area, apply restraints as needed, and administer emergency medications.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
• Follow and maintain established departmental policies, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Enhance professional growth through educational programs, reading literature, attending in‑services, meetings, and workshops.
• Follow patient safety‑related policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by identifying opportunities to improve processes.
• Identify and report/correct environmental conditions that may put patients at undue risk.
• Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors, and/or near misses promptly.
• Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting concerns.

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Training.

Related Education and Experience may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis.

• UNMH Mental Health Tech within 6 months.

• Essential: 6 months directly related experience.
• Nonessential:
  Bilingual in English, Spanish, Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Zuni, or Navajo.

• CPR for Healthcare/BLS Provider or Professional Rescuer within 30 days.
• Obtain and maintain Aggressive Behavior Certificate within 30 days of hire.

• Heavy Work:
  Exerting 50 to 100 pounds occasionally, 25 to 50 pounds frequently, or 10 to 20 pounds constantly to move objects or people.

• Significant hazards:
  Physical risk/injuries due to combative patients.
• Significant hazard:
  Chemicals, biobhazardous materials requiring PPE.
• Limited access to medication room; medication administration policy, attendee
  
  A.
• Tuberculosis testing required upon hire and as needed.

• Entry level

• Full‑time

• Health Care Provider

• Hospitals and Health Care