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UO
University of New Mexico - Hospitals
MENTAL HEALTH TECH
Career Insights for Mental Health / Psychiatric Technician
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Scorecard
Based on New Mexico data
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What they do
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.
$36,225 / year median in New Mexico
+12% projected growth
Job Description
MENTAL HEALTH TECH
University of New Mexico- Hospitals
- 3.6 Albuquerque, NM Job Details Full-time $16.11
- $20.
Department:
UPC Inpatient Adult Services FTE:
0.90Full Time Shift:
Days Position Summary:
Provide child, adolescent, or adult patient care in a treatment or educational milieu; assist in the maintenance of a safe, secure environment that enhances treatment and/or educational effectiveness. May operate in an in-patient/residential environment, or in outreach environment, such as in homes, schools, and/or community agencies. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. Patient care assignment may include neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups.Detailed responsibilities:
PATIENT CARE
- Provide care to patient in a manner that considers and promotes safety, comfort, and the therapeutic environment
EDUCATION
- Provide education and training specific to individual patient needs, abilities, learning preferences and readiness; provide educational resources to patients and/or family members in coordination with treatment team
CHARTING
- Chart observations and other required documentation on assigned patients, behaviors, following prescribed procedures and standards; chart according to treatment plan; use electronic medical record when required
PHYSICAL NEEDS
- Assist with the physical needs of patients; may include taking manual vital signs, weights, and urine, stool, and sputum specimens as designated
PATIENT CARE
- Assist patients with activities of daily living; attend to patient behavioral problems and provide assistance and coordination in crisis intervention as needed
PATIENT TREATMENT
- Participate in the development, coordination and implementation of patient treatment programs
CONFIDENTIALITY
- Maintain confidentiality of patient records, adhering to HIPAA guidelines LIAISON
- In collaboration with treatment team, may act as liaison with other departments, staff and patients
TRANSPORT
- Transport patients to and from appointments, clinics, laboratories, and/or treatments
ACTIVITIES
- Work with other multi-disciplinary team members to lead milieu activities such as activities of daily living, current events, goals and fitness groups; community meetings, school and/or recreational activities as appropriate
MEETINGS
- Attend and participate in group sessions, in-service education, and staff meetings
REGISTRATION
- Process patient admission and registration as appropriate
COMPUTER
- Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing and accessing appropriate computer and information system
PHLEBOTOMY
- May perform phlebotomy duties as assigned
CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM
- Participate as a member of the Crisis Response Team responding to calls related to psychiatric services or assessed as a psychiatric crisis; assist staff with patients in crisis; assist with transports of psychiatric patients SAFETY
- Assist patients to regain behavior control; escort patients to safe area using least restrictive means possible; apply restraints as needed; assist with administration of emergency medications and daily living activities
OTHER DUTIES
- Perform other duties as assigned or requested
POLICIES
- Follow and maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards
DEVELOPMENT
- Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops
PATIENT SAFETY 1
- Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
PATIENT SAFETY 2
- Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
PATIENT SAFETY 3
- Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
PATIENT SAFETY 4
- Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner
PATIENT SAFETY 5
- Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right" Qualifications Related Education and Experience may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis.