Residential Mental Health Technician PRN - Psychiatry (Midtown)

At Houston Methodist, the Residential Mental Health Technician position is responsible for demonstrating the skills necessary to effectively facilitate tasks for residential patients' needs, such as personal hygiene, ambulation, and healthy behaviors. This position promotes and maintains a safe environment conducive to social interaction, healing, and healthy functioning while working under the supervision and guidance of clinical staff to provide direct patient care within the parameters of their scope and the plan of care. The Residential Mental Health Technician position reports observations, records data, and patient dilemmas to the senior clinical staff members, rounds in the facility to ensure a safe, orderly environment, while safeguarding clients according to their daily activity schedules with the ultimate goal of motivating clients to be as independent as possible, while still providing needed assistance.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• One year experience providing care in a setting including hospital, nursing home, treatment facility, assisted living, or home health/private duty

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 6 months and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Proficient in orienting newly admitted patients to the program
• Assists patients to utilize free time in a healthy manner

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains professional boundaries and confidences with patients and staff; providing direct personal care and supervision to patients in accordance with individual service plan(s) to include professional grooming, personal appearance, speech, and hygiene.
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients; actively encourages patient participation in activities and meetings. Initiates interactions in a supportive and therapeutic manner; assisting with activities of daily living as indicated.
• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides care consistent with patient’s developmental level to maximize patient functioning. Recognizes and reports abnormalities and/or changes in the patient’s health status and responses to treatment to a licensed professional.
• Offers observations to various team members regarding patient care and then documents observations.
• Serves as an advocate for patients.
• Participates in psych-educational groups with patients as assigned.
• Medication dispensing as required in a traditional residential care facility.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Rounds in the facility to ensure a safe, orderly environment, while safeguarding clients according to their daily activity schedules.
• Performs competent situational monitoring and awareness to provide a safe environment.
• Communicates team resource and performance improvement needs to ensure quality and customer service standards, impacting quality and safety department targets.
• Accompanies patients off-campus, as needed, for medical and personal appointments to maintain their daily living and medical needs.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains accurate and complete documentation of patient interventions and education performed in a timely manner in the medical record. Accurately enters charges for services provided, as applicable.
• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks. Uses resources effectively and efficiently.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supports department goals by offering innovative solutions through participation in department projects or committees. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that improve quality or services.
• Seeks guidance and validation of knowledge base, skill level, and decision-making as necessary, especially in areas of question, from preceptor and assigned licensed personnel.
• Assumes responsibility for self-growth and development by participating in in-service programs and continuing education, completing and updating My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: No
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• One year experience providing care in a setting including hospital, nursing home, treatment facility, assisted living, or home health/private duty

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• NVCRISIS - Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Instructor (CPI) - Crisis Prevention Institute within 6 months and
• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) - American Heart Association