POSITION SUMMARY

The Lead Tech is responsible for planning and implementing activity services for assigned program, which involves defining and implementing treatment goals as a member of the treatment team and provide continuous patient care, observation, interaction, and role modeling to patients under the direction of the CNO. This position functions as an integral part in the training of mental health technicians.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Degree or equivalent, Certified Nursing Assistant preferred.

THE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE CATEGORIZED UNDER THE JC STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE.

Assessment

• Take and record vital signs properly.
• Utilize sound judgment during assessment and observe and documents any changes in a patient's
  appearance, behavior or ability to work toward treatment plan goals.
• Communicate changes in patient's condition to the charge nurse.

Treatment Planning

• Follow the therapeutic interventions outlined by the treatment team for each patient.
• Ensure awareness of patient's individualized plan of care including goals and interventions.
• Provide information to the charge nurse that assists in the development and revision of the
  treatment plan.
• Document the treatment plan, nursing interventions and the patient's response to the intervention.

Intervention

• Ensure intervention is based on the patient’s plan of care.
• Employ appropriate approved Crisis Prevention & Behavioral Management training intervention techniques as needed.
• Assist patients through the discharge process.
• Assist patients with personal hygiene and activities of daily living.

Milieu Management

• Comply with the established policies and procedures requiring a safe, clean and therapeutic
  
• Practice universal precautions and environmental safety guidelines.
• Recognize and respond to priorities in patient care responsibilities.
• Supervise and assist patients in all patient areas.
• Check patients for contraband and manage the patient's valuables and belongings.
• Report potential crisis situations to the nurse in charge and responds in an appropriate fashion.
• Ensure patient safety through continuous supervision of patient.
• Establish and maintain a professional therapeutic relationship with patients.

Teaching

• Teach the patient proper hygiene and ensure adherence to hygiene methods.
• Carry out teaching activities identified in the treatment plan under the supervision of the RN
  
• Model and teach appropriate social skills.
• Re-enforce the importance of medication compliance, and monitor activity of compliance.
• Orient patients to their unit and program, providing continuous guidance as needed.

Performance

• Assume responsibilities for the completion of all patient care responsibilities and other assigned
  
• Act as the patient's advocate and assure that patient's rights are upheld.
• Comply with established measures for infection control, OSHA regulations, and risk management.
• Comply with the Employee Code of Ethics.
• Adhere to all facility and personnel policies and procedures.
• Participate in continuous Performance Improvement activities.
• Mentor MHT’s to perform all duties per policy, procedure, regulation and/or approved training.
• Attend Nursing Shift Report.
• Participate in weekly Treatment Team/Staffing’s.

Specific Standards for the Care of Child Patients Ages 5 through 11

• Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
• Maintain knowledge of children’s stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise.
• Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior, and/or history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
• Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
• Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled child.
• Relate to child patients in an age appropriate manner.
• Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue.
• Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Child Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients Ages 12 through 18

• Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
• Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any
  deviations in behavior.
• Recognize acting out behavior of specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear,
  concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
• Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to
  the learning disabled adolescent.
• Relate to all patients in an age appropriate manner and UHS Service Excellence Standards.
• Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in
  regard to smaller body sizes, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or
  sexual abuse issue.
• Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Patient Programs.

Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64

• Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgments based on
  knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
• Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms.
• Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or
  emotional behaviors.
• Maintain current knowledge of the Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
• Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of
  Care for this age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older

• Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
• Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care
  and behavioral care.
• Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use
  therapeutic judgments based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to
  develop a comprehensive plan of care.
• Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patient’s functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
• Maintain knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.

Specific Standards for the Care of Chemically Dependent Patients

• Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the
  admission through discharge.
• Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-
  up care.
• Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating to co-dependency can impact work
  performance/relationships.

Leadership

• Precept new Mental Health Techs and continue to train current MHTs at least 10 new mental health technicians a year if available.
• Attend 80% staff meetings.
• Receive at least 8 hours of continuous education annually offered by the facility
• Encourage other mental health technicians to take active roles in treatment of patients.
• Formulate shift responsibilities with the Charge Nurse and facilitate MHT groups.
• Stay current in annual skills, training and certification requirements.
• Participate in performance improvement teams.
• Attend meetings with Program Manager and Nurse Leadership.
• Facilitate quarterly MHT meetings with unit mental health techs and communicate the agenda and the minutes of each MHT meeting to Human Resources.
• Coordinate program goals between nursing, therapy, and activities.
• Resolve conflict among peers/staff by meeting with nursing leadership and program managers as necessary.
• Provide an advocate to other MHTs to identify problems and affect morale in a positive way.
• Provide feedback to the Nurse Leadership for MHT evaluations upon request.
• Facilitate approved Crisis Prevention & Behavioral Management training/educational classes for the facility at a minimum 6 per year.

Additional Standards

• Adhere to facility, department, corporate, personnel and standard policies and procedures.
• Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
• Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.
• Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.
• All other duties as assigned.
• May be required to work overtime and flexible hours.

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION SHOULD CURRENTLY POSSESS. THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

• Knowledge of all code procedures.
• Knowledge of personal hygiene training techniques.
• Knowledge of psychiatric care techniques.
• Knowledge of aggressive behavior management techniques.
• Thorough knowledge and training in approved Basic Life Support.
• Knowledge of admitting procedures.
• Knowledge of A&R intake calls.
• Knowledge of BIRP charting.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
• Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent,
  adult and geriatric).
• Ability to participate in all aspects of patient care management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS

MODIFICATIONS TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS JOB MAYBE PERFORMED WILL BE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

• Ability to stand sit or walk up to six hours, sit for up to two hours.
• Ability to move frequently is required in the delivery of patient care
• Visual acuity is needed for accurate reading of patient charts and for demonstrating activities or
  assisting patients in activities.
• Ability to spend 20% of the work day outdoors in temperatures varying form 30°-100°F and 80%
  of the work day indoors in temperatures varying from 60°-85°F.
• Ability to occasionally push/pull wheeled carts from 200 Lbs. (i.e., crash cart, EKG machine,
  patient on stretchers or in wheelchairs).
• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 10Lbs. (i.e. juices, charts, patient's belongings) and
  occasionally lift and carry up to 100lbs. (a patient).
• Ability to frequently reach above, at or below shoulder height (obtains supplies, reach in cabinets,
  use refrigerator), kneel, bend, stoop, turn, twist.
• Ability to frequently handle, through gross and fine manipulations, simple grasping, twisting and
  fingering of small objects (telephone buttons, thermometers with both hands).
• Ability to operate a van in a safe manner.
• Ability to see well enough to read written material and discern a variety of odors.
• Ability to occasionally handle hazardous/infectious waste.
• Ability to work in an environment where the noise level is frequently high; where chemicals are
  frequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may be occasionally
  present; and where dust, mist and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks.
• Ability to work at a rapid pace and tolerate a variety of repetitive tasks.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER WORK AIDES:

• Medical and nursing equipment and supplies.
• Telephone 2 way radios and paging systems.
• Art equipment and supplies.
• Gym equipment and supplies.
• Policies, procedures, plans, and program manuals.