A Mental Health or Psychiatric Technician cares for patients with mental illnesses. Works under the direction of a physician and works with specialists involved in mental health care, such as psychiatrists and therapists. Monitors patient symptoms and administers medications. Works in a mental health facility or in a hospital or other healthcare facility.
Mental Health Aide Vingstech - 3.0 San Diego, CA Job Details Full-time | Contract $26.86 - $28.44 an hour 17 hours ago Qualifications Behavioral health hospital experience Customer communication Inpatient experience CPI Certification BLS Certification Mental health facility experience Basic life support
Full Job Description Title:
Mental Health Aide Location:
3853 Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA 92110
Schedule:
7:00 PM - 7:30
AM Duration:
13 weeks with possibility of extension Job Duties Mental Health Aides perform routine, non-technical, para-professional work in caring for patients admitted to the Psychiatric Hospital. Work includes observing and monitoring the behavior and whereabouts of patients in order to maintain their safety and interacting with and providing directions to patients when patients require assistance with daily living activities or when patients demonstrate high risk behaviors. In addition, Mental Health Aides ensure patients receive appropriate diet by reviewing patients' dietary restrictions, food allergies, and preferences; obtain a wide range of information from nursing, physicians, and other support services about patient conditions, treatment plans, and suggested activities; conduct (technical piece) and record vital signs including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration rate as requested; note observations of patient behavior including complaints or physical symptoms to nurses; provide environmental rounding to ensure a safe and clean environment on patient care unit(s) and courtyard(s); when patients go out of the facility for court, tests, treatments, or appointments, may accompany and assist them in any manner necessary; may participate in observing, facilitating and document group activities; and when crisis occurs, must be able to intervene and calm patients down.
Essential Functions:
Observes and monitors the behavior and whereabouts of patients in order to maintain their safety. Interacts with and provides directions to patients during instances where patients require assistance with daily living activities or when patients demonstrate high risk behaviors, such as becoming agitated, becoming assaultive, or causing a danger to self or others. Reports patient behavior to clinical staff. Prepares written documentation of patient behaviors and treatments in accordance with hospital policy and procedures; and makes notes in medical records, report sheets, and legals. Assists clinical staff during patient group activities. Operates medical vital signs equipment and reports pain level to the licensed nurse. Attends training and staff meetings as required; participates in change of shift report in order to exchange information with the oncoming staff. Transports and accompanies and/or escorts patients to court hearings, appointments, or other facilities as necessary. Uses computers to perform required job functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Basic principles and practices of mental health Basic principles of individual and group education as applied to mental health patients Crisis intervention techniques as applied to intervening in difficult situations and potential emergency situations involving mental health patients Basic methods and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) County customer service objectives and strategies Telephone, office, and online etiquette Current technology and trends in the profession Skills and Abilities to: Closely observe and monitor the behavior of psychiatric patients during work, meals, recreation and leisure activities in order to identify significant changes in behavior and to maintain the safety of patients Apply specific methods and techniques to restrain and subdue patients, as learned from professional level training on responding to assaultive behavior Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and hospital policy and procedures; abide by Patients Rights regulations Understand and follow verbal and written instructions, which may entail emergency situations Communicate effectively in order to give clear and concise verbal directions to patients in a positive and helpful manner and tone of voice Communicate effectively in writing in order to prepare clear and concise entries pertaining to incidents and observations Establish effective working relationships with mental health patients, management, employees, and members of the public representing diverse cultures and backgrounds Treat patients, County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public with courtesy, dignity, and respect Assess the patients' immediate needs and ensure patients' receipt of needed services through personal service or making appropriate referral Exercise appropriate judgment when answering questions, releasing information, and responding to potential emergency situations; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations Effectively and safely operate basic medical equipment, such as thermometers, stethoscopes, and sphygmomanometers, in order to measure temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration of patients Operate computers and office equipment Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact and diplomacy Provides responsive, high quality service to County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner Desirable Traits Communicates Effectively, Knowledge Worker, Customer Focused, Values and Respects Others, Drives to Excel, Teamwork and Collaboration, Continuous Learning, Demonstrates Ethical Behavior, Supportive of Change Required Education and Experience At least 6 months to One (1) year of experience working with inpatient psychiatric hospital experience Completion of 15 college units from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in nursing, counseling, psychology, sociology, or closely related behavioral science field; AND, six (6) months of experience working with patients who are mentally ill. Need BLS from AHA Physical Test Report CPI Certification (if not, they will provide the training) PPD/Chest-Xray/TB Results Mandated Reporter Certificate before the start date (Candidate can get the free training from https://mandatedreporterca.com) A minimum of two (2) employment references
