The posting
JOB SUMMARY:
The Mental Health Technician provides patient care under the direction of licensed staff and within the scope of defined practice. Demonstrates a commitment to accountability and growth to maintain and expand knowledge and skills. Serves as a liaison between other departments ensuring communication and accurate records are available. Adheres to practice in accordance with the Ephraim McDowell Health nursing professional practice model.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
COMPETENT NURSING:
Maintains accurate and complete patient records to ensure retrieval and access of information.
- Reports patient knowledge deficits, supports needs, and provides basic instruction as directed.
- Role models safety and infection control practices according to standards.
- Assumes responsibility for personal health behaviors.
- Trained to do glucose testing per monitor under supervision and report results to licensed personnel. Clean monitor per protocol.
- Maintains a neat and orderly unit, including the ordering and organization of supplies, to facilitate an efficient work environment.
- Serves as a patient advocate.
- Knowledgeable of products for patient use.
- Demonstrates knowledge and executes the unit’s standards, policies and procedures to ensure safe, effective patient care. Interacts with others to achieve desired outcomes.
- Assists with unit flow while maintaining a calming atmosphere.
- Introduce themselves and address patient by name when providing care.
- In collaboration with Licensed Personnel follows directions according to the established plan of care.
- Completes and documents assignments in a timely organized manner and assists team members as needed.
. PATIENT EDUCATION
- Serves as patient, family, and Associate mentor by defending patient rights and improve care on the unit and in the Organization. Utilizes knowledge of age appropriate, culturally and ethically sensitive care techniques through the life span in implementing care. Uses appropriate communication strategies to promote positive patient care outcomes. Reports patient knowledge deficits, supports needs, and provides basic instruction as directed.
- RESPECT/DIGNITY Defends patient rights by supporting the right of the patient and their family to participate in their own healthcare decisions. Exhibits trustworthy behaviors, as noticed by colleagues, patients, and their families. Conducts self in an ethical manner while working toward positive outcomes for the patient and their family. Assumes responsibility for personal health behaviors. Demonstrates optimism and is adaptable to changes made in the department. Shows genuine concern for colleagues, patients, and their families. Maintains patient confidentiality and privacy within legal and regulatory parameters with sensitivity to patient diversity.
- PATIENT SAFETY Communicates and discloses unexpected events that results in injury. Assists in maintaining a culture of safety and infection control according to guidelines and universal protocols. Ensure hourly rounding with accurate documentation to increase patient satisfaction and safety. Demonstrates efficient use of equipment and supplies in managing patient assignment. Maintains equipment and reports all equipment failures.
- SHARED NURSING LEADERSHIP Works with health team to establish priorities and provide care to achieve desired outcomes. Attends and contributes to staff meetings and in-service programs. Demonstrates a commitment to accountability and growth to Maintain and expand knowledge and skills. Fosters innovation by motivating and inspiring others. Contributes to a supportive and healthy work environment for students and Associates and exhibits a positive character. Values and respects all levels of nursing. Provides peers with constructive feedback regarding their practice through peer review activities. Ensures positive teamwork by answering all call lights promptly.
- COMMUNICATION/COLLABORATION Builds a positive alliance between healthcare team, patients, and families. Maintains honest, exemplary interpersonal skills while providing open and clear communication of relevant facts. Communicates significant information to the appropriate team members and documents in a clear, concise and accurate manner. Accepts instruction and suggestions with optimism in an approachable manner. Asks questions when clarification/instruction is needed. Maintains composure during demanding periods of time. Acts as a positive role model to implement and sustain change in the work environment. Contributes to the achievements of the goals, mission, vision, and philosophy of the Organization.
- POSITIVE OUTCOMES Conducts self-assessment to identify learning needs and establishes a plan for professional growth in collaboration with Director. Assists with developing and sustaining a helping, trusting, and authentic caring relationship in a healing environment for the patient and their families. Interacts with others to achieve desired outcomes. Participates in the interviewing and selection of Associates when necessary. Identifies opportunities for cost containment on unit meeting budget goals. Uses appropriate communication strategies to promote positive patient care outcomes. Responsible under direction of licensed staff for basic care of core measures for unit dashboard. Communicates and fosters understanding of the unit goals and operations as related to the Organizational-wide objectives and priorities.
- TEAMWORK Maintains open and effective verbal and written communication with all staff. Promotes and maintains a positive team environment. Exemplifies strong interpersonal skills: . Collaboration in a non-defensive manner.
- Flexible in assignments and understands compromise.
- Responds to direction.
- Exhibits congenial, humble, and resilient behaviors.
- CARING/COMPASSION Provides culturally sensitive care to self and others. Maintains a calming atmosphere by providing emotional and spiritual support.
- ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES Performs age specific Behavioral Health Services data collection. Reports significant Behavioral Health Services patient data to licensed nurses. Demonstrates communication skills appropriate for Behavioral Health Services patients/family/support persons. Prioritizes Behavioral Health Services care to meet patient /family support person needs. Knowledgeable of and practices according to Behavioral Health Services policies and procedures(Core measures, Blood vitals, Point of Care testing, etc.). Assesses age specific Behavioral Health Services safety issues (National Patient Safety Goals, Safe Patient Handling, Restraints, Pediatric Infant Abduction, etc.). Demonstrates a commitment to professional accountability and growth to maintain and expand knowledge and skills. Contributes to the achievement of the mission, vision, and values of the Organization. Contributes to the effective operations of the Organization by demonstrating dependability in job performance. Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of patient family centered care into practice (dignity, respect, information sharing, and participation). Demonstrates a commitment to the development and implementation of shared governance across the Organization. Other duties as assigned (Committee Participation and Unit specific performance audits, etc.).
WORKING CONDITIONS, HAZARDS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Works in a well lighted, ventilated and air conditioned area. Often exposed to unpleasant odors, sights, and sounds. Long periods in stationary position and moving around the unit are required Risks exposure to disease, infection and physical strain, and assault. Risks exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, radiation and anti-neoplastic agents. Must be able to move or position 50 lbs. independently. May work all shifts, some weekends and overtime.
CONTACTS WITH OTHERS:
Patients, family members and significant others, physicians and Associates, other healthcare providers, community resource personnel, administrative staff, and hospital support services.
EQUIPMENT USED/SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED:
Must have computer skills.
Certification and/or eligible nursing assistant course and exam given by KY Tech or another state which is accepted by the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry are preferred.
