Overview:
Location: UF Health Shands Hospital
1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
Schedule: Variable | 36hrs. per week
Employment Type: Full-Time
Join UF Health and be part of a team committed to exceptional patient care, innovation, and community impact. We are currently seeking a passionate individual who is eager to make a difference in a dynamic healthcare environment.
The Mental Health Technician functions as an assistant to the nurse in Inpatient Psychiatry and under the direct supervision of the R.N. Supports maintenance of a therapeutic and safe environment. Maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients in support of treatment goals. Assists with the delivery of direct patient care. Monitors and intervenes in environment to provide a safe, therapeutic milieu. The Mental Health Technician provides nursing support to achieve the organization's mission of excellent patient care and nursing's vision of setting a new standard of excellence in autonomous and accountable nursing practice committed to patient advocacy and innovative patient care in a climate of trust and collaboration.
Responsibilities:
- Monitors and observes patients under the direction of a registered nurse according to unit/department/patient population specific standards by:
- a. Performing scheduled observations and monitoring activities in a timely manner, including hourly rounding and walking bedside rounds with each caregiver hand-off
- b. Recognizing patient safety risks, communicating risks to the RN immediately, and maintaining risk precautions
- c. Recognizing abnormal findings and changes in patient condition, reporting to RN immediately, and documenting that the RN was notified
- Contributes to continuity of care under the direction of a registered nurse by:
- a. Communicating with RN/LPN at beginning of shift, throughout shift, and end of shift for report
- b. Performing activities of daily living based on the needs of the patients: feeding, bathing, toileting, ambulating
- c. Implementing patient care activities as assigned, according to practice standards, and in a timely manner d. Addressing therapeutic milieu needs of program by monitoring patient behavior, organization of physical structure and encouraging patient involvement in therapeutic interventions
- e. Adjusting care based on patient¿s educational level, age, developmental needs, values, cultural needs
- f. Identifying and reporting patient needs that require practical or professional nursing intervention to patient safety and well-being (i.e. pain medication)
- g. Reinforcing patient and family education
- h. Responding appropriately in emergency situations
- I. Responding to patient alarms in a timely manner
- j. Documenting patient care accurately and in a timely manner
- k. Cooperating with the interdisciplinary team to meet patient needs and facilitate positive outcomes
- l. Communicating information clearly and in a professional manner
- Demonstrates current knowledge and expertise to safely perform simple and complex patient lifts, patient transfers, patient ambulation and other mobility needs by:
- a. Demonstrating competency in proper utilization and maintenance of lifting and mobility devices
- b. Demonstrating competency in lifting, ambulating, transferring and/or repositioning of patients with treatment equipment (i.e. tubes/lines)
- c. Assisting in building a 'culture of safety' to support clinicians in providing safe patient care and safe working environment
- Facilitates daily operations/flow of work of assigned area by:
- a. Organizing and reprioritizing work based on patients needs, available resources, and unit requirements
- b. Answering call bells promptly, and prioritizing patient needs into daily routine
- c. Demonstrating flexibility with patient assignments;
- d. Preparing bed space, equipment and supplies prior to admission
- e. Ensuring that patients are ready for discharge, and that the bed spaces are prepared for cleaning
- f. Ensuring a safe, clean, and uncluttered environment of care
- g. Greeting visitors and admissions quickly and courteously
- Participates in the achievement of unit/department fiscal goals by:
- a. Utilizing equipment and supplies appropriately to meet patient care needs
- b. Stocking supplies
- c. Contributing to the capture of patient charges and revenue generation
- d. Operating and troubleshooting equipment as indicated for patient care needs and removing and reporting damaged/broken equipment
- Demonstrates professional development and accountability by:
- a. Complying with work rules (e.g. dress code, wearing identification badge & IR badge, time and attendance, break time, eating/drinking in patient care areas, personal use of phones/computers, etc.);
- b. Supporting compliance with hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accrediting agency requirements;
- c. Taking responsibility for obtaining department/hospital information and incorporating changes into practice;
- d. Maintaining competence of professional/clinical knowledge base through continuing education;
- e. Completing mandatory inservicing requirements, competency updates and meaningful self-appraisals;
- f. Reviewing unit/department communication to maintain current working knowledge of job responsibilities;
- g. Participating in the training of new staff.
Qualifications:
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Education:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with high school diploma or equivalent; or
- Nursing student currently enrolled in an approved program for preparation of either professional nurses or licensed practical nurses
- upon successful completion of the didactic and clinical portion of a nursing fundamental course work; or
- Junior and Senior High School Students attending the Institute of Health Professions who are CNAs and have a recommendation from the instructor.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Background screening as required by law (Reference: PM 06-208)
Licensure/Certification/Registration: CNA if Applicable
Motor Vehicle Operator Designation: Employees in this position: Will not operate vehicles for an assigned business purpose
NOTE: A frequent driver is defined as one who uses his/her personal or Shands automobile a) at least once daily, b) at least five individual trips per week or c) drives, on average, over 150 miles per week in the performance of his/her job. Please indicate the appropriate operator designation on the Request for Personnel (RFP) form at the time a RFP is submitted to post the position.
This position requires a Level 2 background screening. Applicants may review background screening information at https://info.flclearinghouse.com/