Mental Health Tech SS | Central Staffing | PRN | Variable

Overview

Location: UF Health Shands Hospital

1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608

Schedule: Varies

Employment Type: PRN

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.
• a. Performs scheduled observations and monitoring activities.
• b. Recognizes and reports abnormal findings and changes in patient condition.
• Contributes to continuity of care under the direction of a registered nurse.
• a. Implements patient care activities as assigned according to policies, procedures, protocols, and practice guidelines.
• b. Reinforces patient and family education.
• c. Operates and troubleshoots equipment as indicated for patient care needs.
• d. Utilizes computer information management systems to facilitate patient care.
• e. Documents patient care according to policies, procedures and protocols.
• Facilitates daily operations/flow of work of assigned area(s).
• a. Organizes and reprioritizes work based on patients' needs, available resources, and unit requirements.
• b. Supports compliance with hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accrediting agency requirements.
• c. Reviews unit/department communication to maintain current working knowledge of job responsibilities.
• Contributes to a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, and staff by following policies, procedures, and protocols.
• a. Identifies patients at risk for injury and participates in instituting measures to prevent/reduce the risk.
• b. Adheres to AGE APPROPRIATE PROTOCOLS in order to ensure patient safety based on developmental needs.
• c. Addresses therapeutic milieu needs of program by monitoring patient behavior, organization of physical structure and encouraging patient involvement in therapeutic interventions.
• d. Contributes to prevention of infectious diseases among employees, patients, and visitors by adhering to Infection Control policies and procedures.
• e. Completes employee accident reports and contributes information to complete incident, medication variance, infection control variance reports.
• f. Reports environmental safety hazards, including damaged and broken equipment.
• g. Responds to patient monitor alarms in a timely fashion.
• h. Ensures emergency readiness, and initiates timely emergency measures as appropriate according to role responsibilities.
• Participates in the achievement of unit/department fiscal goals.
• a. Conserves hospital resources.
• b. Contributes to capture of patient charges and revenue generation.
• c. Complies with time and attendance requirements.
  

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

• at least once daily,
• at least five individual trips per week or
• 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/