PRN Mental Health Technician

1. Assists with admission, transfer and discharge of patients. Answers call system promptly.

2. Takes and records patients' temperature, pulse, respiration's, blood pressure, intake and output, and weight according to hospital procedure. Performs glucometer testing and bladder scans as requested.

3. Assist in giving and teaching bed baths, shower, tub and partial baths. Gives therapeutic baths such as sitz, foot and temperature sponge bath. Assist in giving and teaching oral hygiene, hair care, nails care, and gives special skin care (includes back rubs).

4. Makes open, closed and occupied beds.

5. Does perineal care. Performs foley catheter care as directed by a nurse. May discontinue foley catheters upon the direct order of a nurse after successful completion of competency. Passes and empties bedpan; collects urine and stool specimens.

6. Passes and collects meal trays as needed; passes and assists patients in obtaining nourishment between meals. Assists and teaches patients with meals. Refills patient's water pitcher.

7. Applies K-pad, ice pack.

8. Assists patients walking, crutch walking, with walker and transports patients to various hospital departments by wheelchair or stretcher. Assists patients up to chair.

9. Transcribes physicians' written orders to unit records and notifies nursing personnel of orders requiring immediate attention. Clarifies unclear orders with the nurse prior to transcription.

10. Demonstrates age appropriate competency skills and knowledge, ability to perform skills specific to patient population identified in unit specific skill list.

11. Completes appropriate computer entry and/or requisition form and contacts other departments to schedule diagnostic tests, meals, therapies, etc., consistent with physicians order and/or nurses requests.

12. Assembles patients' chart for newly admitted unit patients and maintains current charts by filing physician orders and test results.

13. Disassembles and routes patient charts to appropriate department upon discharge, transfer, expiration or as requested.

14. Greets and directs patients and visitors, and orients patients to the unit.

15. Answers telephone calls, responds to routine inquiries and relays other calls and messages. Responds to patients' intercom calls and notifies appropriate personnel of patient's requests.

16. Contacts physician directly or through the hospital paging system, as requested by authorized personnel. Notifies physicians of patient room numbers, clarifies orders, etc.

17. Responsible for knowing the lifting requirements of the job and requesting assistance when appropriate.

18. Contacts various hospital departments in order to change schedules; arrange for patient transportation, unit cleaning or equipment repair; and to order medications, physical therapy, supplies, etc.

19. Performs related clerical duties such as filing, photocopying, running errands, completing patient census forms, ordering stationary and pens, fax machine, etc.

20. Maintains a professional approach with confidentiality. Assures protection and privacy of health information as attained through written, electronic or oral disclosures.

21. Displays concern and initiative. Is resourceful and calm in emergencies.

22. Is prompt and efficient with minimal absences.

23. Cooperates and maintains good rapport with nursing staff, medical staff, other departments, and visitors.

24. Seeks guidance and remains knowledgeable of, and complies with, all applicable federal and state laws, as well as hospital polices that apply to assigned duties.

25. Complies with hospital expectations regarding ethical behavior and standards of conduct.

26. Complies with federal and hospital requirements in the areas of protected health information and patient privacy.

Requirements

Experience: Prefer one year of nursing aide experience. Prefer experience in the psychiatric setting

Licensure: CNA certificate preferred. CPR certification within 180 days of hire.

Skills: Excellent verbal communication skills necessary in order to instruct and comfort patients and their families. Maintain effective contacts with a variety of Hospital Personnel. Must demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served on assigned unit/department.

Working Conditions

The employee may be exposed to blood borne pathogens, infectious diseases, and other hazardous wastes, (i.e. Hepatitis, Aids, Tuberculosis). Proper precautions will be taught and provided by the hospital. The position requires a considerable amount of walking, stooping, pulling, lifting, feeling, hearing, and repetitive motions. Ability to move quickly in response to physician and patient needs, to stand for long periods, occasional overhead and low reaching, and to exert force of up to 50 lbs. occasionally, up to 20 lbs. frequently and/or up to 10 lbs. constantly. Patient care activities may require the ability to lift of up to 30 lbs. constantly, up to 50 lbs. occasionally and up to 100 lbs. rarely.

Miscellaneous

Seeks guidance and remains knowledgeable of, and complies with, all applicable federal and state laws as well as regulations and hospital policies that apply to assigned duties. Complies with hospital expectations regarding ethical behavior and standards of conduct.

Complies with federal and hospital requirements in the areas of protected health information and patient privacy. The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be assigned as required in the hospital's sole discretion.