MENTAL HEALTH TECH

Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee, Illinois, is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Mental Health Technician to join our Inpatient Adult Behavioral Health Unit. The Mental Health Technician will play a critical role in supporting the therapeutic environment by assisting patients with daily activities, monitoring their behavior, and providing emotional support. This position is essential in promoting patient safety and facilitating a recovery-oriented atmosphere. Additionally, this position requires flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Assist with the daily living activities of patients, including personal hygiene and meals.
• Monitor and document patient behavior, emotional well-being, and any changes in condition, reporting findings to the nursing and treatment team.
• Provide support and encouragement to patients during therapeutic activities and group sessions.
• Implement safety protocols and assist in crisis intervention as needed to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff.
• Assist in the planning and facilitation of recreational and therapeutic activities that promote social interaction and skill development.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized care plans for each patient.
• Maintain a clean and organized environment within the unit, ensuring compliance with safety and health regulations.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions regarding patient care and treatment strategies.

Nonessential Duties

• Assist in the orientation of new staff and volunteers to unit policies and procedures.
• Engage in ongoing training and professional development to enhance skills and knowledge in mental health care.
• Participate in educational initiatives as needed.
• Support administrative tasks related to patient care documentation and inventory management.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so your journey at and away from work is remarkable.  Our Total Rewards package includes:

Compensation

• Base compensation within the position’s pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Required Experience

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse patient populations.
• Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations and respond appropriately to crises.
• Commitment to promoting a compassionate and supportive atmosphere for patients.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience in a mental health setting or healthcare environment preferred.
• Strong understanding of mental health conditions and basic therapeutic techniques.

Required Licensure/Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required
• Secure training upon hire and maintained annually

Preferred Education

• College level courses in Psychology or related field preferred or Associate's Degree preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure:

• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Diagnostic composite of patients, frequent contact with intravenous devices, and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, stool, vomitus) and administration of blood does create a high risk. use of needleless IV system, universal precautions and protective equipment minimize risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Patient diagnostic presentations do pose high risk; however, usage of protective wear, appropriate size TB mask from fit test and universal precautions reduces risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/doctors, coworkers, ancillary personnel and other department heads. Ability to ask for help. 
• Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, ability to read reports, ability to read machines.
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, calls for help and to hear patient verbalizations; ability to listen for lung, bowel, heart sounds.
• Touch: Necessary to assess patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements:

• Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
• Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
• Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays).
• Carry charts 25'- 150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs.
• Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp 10 lbs. Normal weight <5lbs.
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, medical/supply dispensing cabinet, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IV's.

Leg Strength: Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally- (repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.)

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards:

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 6-40
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards: 

Chemical -drugs/work with patients receiving chemotherapy-Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy direct radiation for radiology equipment; mechanical- use of Hoover lift bed scales, motorized wheelchairs, bathtub lift chair.

Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.