Mental Health Technician; Assessment & Referral; Santa Rosa

Overview

Formerly Aurora Santa Rosa Hospital, SRBHH was opened in 2016 and is part of the greater Santa Rosa and Northern California mental health system of care. Located in the North Bay, this hospital has 144 acute psychiatric inpatient beds and serves adolescents and adults with mental health and co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse conditions.

Position Title: Mental Health Technician (Assessment & Referral)

Pay Range: $23.50-$27.50 Per Hour

Reports To: Director of Assessment and Referral

Hours: Weekend Swing Shift

The Mental Health Worker provides direct patient care to patients with emotional or psychiatric disorders, supports the therapeutic milieu, ensures safety and well-being of patients, and carries out general nursing assistance as assigned for adolescents, adults, or older adults. The Mental Health Worker is the primary person responsible for the safety of the unit milieu. Environmental safety rounds are required each shift and ongoing safety assessments, including securing contraband, will be completed by the Mental Health Worker.

Safety observations are documented in the patient’s medical record as ordered by the psychiatric provider or under the direction of the Registered Nurse. The Mental Health Technician (I - III) (Assessment and Referral) maintains knowledge of, participates in further training, and understands potential risks regarding occupational health hazards (e.g., blood borne pathogen exposures).

• Treatment Planning:
  Participate in treatment planning by identifying patients’ problems, needs, and strengths; suggest modifications to the treatment plan based on observations; provide input into discharge planning.
• Patient Care:
  Implement treatment plans by monitoring progress; communicate patient behavior to the treatment team; maintain communication with patient, family members, and referral sources; co-facilitate didactic, educational, and community groups within the adolescent treatment program; encourage and facilitate participation in therapeutic activities; supervise patients for safety and involvement in treatment; provide input during shift report.
• Hall Monitor:
  Ensure safety and security of staff and patients; observe hallway interactions and report suspicious activity to the nurse in charge and notify unit staff of potential boundary violations.
• Patient Attendant:
  Accompany and transport patients as assigned; orient new patients to the unit, program, and milieu; assist with activities of daily living as aligned with treatment plan; maintain a safe, orderly, and therapeutic environment; participate in maintaining the therapeutic milieu and enforce the level system or other behavior management methods.
• Patient Records:
  Maintain patient, program, and department documentation; perform clerical and administrative tasks to support patient care and operations.
• Training
  
  Activities:
  
  Complete orientation and competency assessments; participate in activities for professional growth.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living (hygiene, toileting).
• Other Duties:
  Uphold the organization’s ethics and customer service standards; perform related duties as requested.

Education/Licensure

• High school, GED, or equivalent required
• Current CPR certification required or obtained within initial orientation period
• Verbal de-escalation and physical intervention program as approved by the CNO
• English proficiency required

Knowledge And Experience

• High school level reading and writing skills; legible handwriting
• Familiarity with medical and psychological terminology and human behavior principles preferred
• Basic knowledge of human growth and development helpful
• Experience with therapeutic limit-setting or understanding of level systems or other behavior management modalities helpful
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries

Skills and Abilities

• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
• Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with people from diverse backgrounds
• Skills in teaching or assisting with activities of daily living helpful
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making…