Mental Health Technician

Remote

💊 Health

The daily routine for a mental health technician may vary from day to day. Often, mental health technicians are the members of the care team with the most patient contact. They help them get ready for the day, check their vital signs, talk to them to assess their mental state and supervise them while they engage in activities. When needed, mental health technicians may step in to help a nurse, therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist when conducting examinations or leading an individual or group therapy session. At some facilities, they are points of contact for family members and are responsible for communicating about their loved one’s status and progress as allowed by privacy laws.

What does a Mental Health Technician do?

The primary responsibility of a mental health technician is to ensure that patients are comfortable and safe.

Responsibilities

A Mental Health Technician should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Mental Health Technician should be able to execute:

Taking patients’ vital signs, including pulse rate, breathing rate and blood pressure
Administering medications and supervising patients to ensure they take them
Helping patients bathe, groom, dress or use the bathroom as needed
Notating patient records with changes in health status or behavior
Escorting or transporting patients inside the facility or to appointments off campus
Intervening when patients become dangerous to themselves or others

Required Skills

A competitive Mental Health Technician will have certain skills and qualifications, including:

Familiarity with crisis intervention techniques to deescalate conflicts in a manner that keeps staff and patients safe
Concentration skills to understand complex written and verbal instructions and follow them completely
Basic knowledge of anatomy, mental health conditions and common treatments
Observational skills to pick up on changes in symptoms and behaviors
Strong oral communication skills to interact effectively with staff and patients
Ability to lift and steady patients who may have difficulty getting up or walking on their own

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