Mental Health Technician
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Summary
Assists in planning and implementing individual patient care and therapeutic milieu groups to facilitate the treatment of psychiatric inpatients. Provides direct care services to patients as necessary. Performs a variety of treatment and diagnostic procedures such as EKGs, Phlebotomy, blood sugar checks, and bladder scans, etc. Provides mental health support (to children and adults) and assists with intakes, as required. Documents interactions and maintains complete records for decision-making staff and authorities. Performs patient care activities in collaboration with and under the direction of an RN.
Job description
Job Duties
- Documents client behaviors observed during shift and charts into the electronic medical records.
- Accepts emergency/crisis calls. Responds to front-line first responder needs via telephone and triages calls according to intensity, service needs, critical timing, and assignment of staff.
- Assists residents in all areas of physical care and hygiene of patients.
- Aids patients with activities of daily living, bases interactions on goals and interventions of treatment plan, and complies with unit-specific guidelines.
- Conducts independent study of current literature on relevant topics and presents to staff annually.
- Demonstrates at least one specific behavior supporting model (i.e., clinical supervision, committee participation, PI monitoring, coordinating scheduling, PCC measurement, patient satisfaction follow-up, peer review, etc.).
- Displays competencies in accordance with established procedures and competency as per department/unit specific competency assessment criteria.
- Offers input utilized in formulating and revising treatment plans, and performs a variety of treatment and diagnostic procedures.
- Assumes the responsibility for personal and professional growth and development by participating in continuing education and self-motivated learning activities.
- Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and participates in the professional learning process of others and serves as a resource for students.
- Assists in orientation process for new personnel and supports professional practice model.
Requirements
- High School Diploma/GED and Minimum of (1) year of college (credits earned), preferably in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Special Education, Nursing, Healthcare Administration or Medicine
- At least (6) months of direct care experience including individual and group counseling skills is required, preferably in an acute behavioral healthcare setting or behavioral education setting
- 1 year of experience in Behavioral Health
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of patient information and demonstrate ability to adapt readily to emergency situations
- Ability to speak clearly so listeners can comprehend
- Ability to use reasoning to discover answers to problems
- Ability to be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes
- Knowledge of mental health and/or substance abuse
- Possesses individual and group counseling skills
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania within 180 Days
Company overview
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is a major healthcare provider and hospital network based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serving the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania regions. Founded in 1899, LVHN operates as a comprehensive healthcare system with 13 hospital campuses, 28 health centers, numerous primary and specialty care physician practices, and multiple urgent care locations. The network's flagship facility, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, is Pennsylvania's third-largest hospital and features the state's first Level One Trauma Center. LVHN provides a wide range of medical services including specialized institutes for cancer care, heart and vascular treatment, surgical excellence, orthopedics, and neuroscience. The network operates the third-largest heart surgery program in Pennsylvania, performing over 1,200 open-heart procedures annually, and maintains one of the state's largest cancer centers treating over 2,400 new patients each year. In August 2024, LVHN completed a merger with Jefferson Health, becoming part of a larger healthcare system with 32 hospitals and over 700 locations across Pennsylvania. Prior to the merger, LVHN was the largest employer in the Lehigh Valley metropolitan region, with approximately 20,000 employees dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community.