Mental Health Technician - Emergency Department

At Houston Methodist, the Mental Health Technician (MHT) position advances in skill and ability to care for, communicate effectively and carry out delegated tasks for population-specific patients. This position functions under the guidance and supervision of the registered nurse in meeting the physiological and psychosocial needs of the patient, utilizing therapeutic communication techniques. The MHT position records data and performs treatments and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures and reports observations and patient problems to the nurse. This position is responsible for assigned non-nursing functions and practices, relationship-centered care in concert with the Houston Methodist Values. The MHT position may involve travel to conduct home visits.

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 (1) year of previous experience as a Mental Health Technician in a psychiatric/substance abuse setting
• Three (3) years’ experience as a nursing/patient care assistant with specialized training and experience in crisis management prevention in a hospital setting.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

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

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going 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
• Demonstrates knowledge of court processes for detaining patients
• Progression towards organizational and problem solving skills as evidenced by capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and role components
• Progression towards demonstrating time management skills
• Ability to progress towards independence and exercise judgment in interactions with physicians, interprofessional care team, patients and their families
• Demonstrates ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional health care team as appropriate
• Possesses basic computer knowledge. Operates multiple computer systems including electronic health records, i.e., Epic, and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, & Excel) to maintain patient information

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interacts with peers, staff and visitors in a supportive and respectful manner. Encourages open communication to achieve mutual understanding. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional.
• Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
• Demonstrates teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance to obtain optimal department results. Collaborates to foster healthy relationships in the work environment. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows the patient and family-centered care standards, as directed by registered nurse. Performs treatments, activities and procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures and reports observations and patient problems to the registered nurse.
• Offers assistance to physicians, patients, visitors and staff as appropriate using progressive knowledge and appropriate use of hospital database such as EPIC. Ability to access information both in the department and within the hospital system to support the department and interprofessional care team as appropriate.
• Assists with maintaining and cleaning of equipment and stocking supplies as established on assigned unit. Assists with positioning and transporting of patients.
• Utilizes progressive skills through peer-to-peer accountability towards improving department score for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accurately records all aspects of care administered in the patient medical record according to established procedures. Maintains processes and updates patient records, assuring all forms are properly identified with the patient's name and contents are filed correctly.
• Organizes the work flow, problem-solves and manages multiple ongoing priorities, with minimal supervision. Inputs errors promptly into the patient safety reporting system to improve processes and identify trends.
• Demonstrates progressive skills towards meeting quality and safety targets on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability, focusing on the task at hand and reporting near misses.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks. Uses resources effectively and efficiently.
• Progressively contributes towards meeting department financial targets on unit-based scorecard through timely documentation of care, minimizing incidental overtime, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to departmental specifications.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in department projects and shared governance activities.
• 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
• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Technician.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

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

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* No

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

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

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 (1) year of previous experience as a Mental Health Technician in a psychiatric/substance abuse setting
• Three (3) years’ experience as a nursing/patient care assistant with specialized training and experience in crisis management prevention in a hospital setting.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

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