Mental Health Technician Job Description, Roles/Responsibilities, Qualifications

Mental Health Technician job description: A Mental Health Technician is a person who assists mental healthcare professionals in hospitals, private institutions, or patient residences. They observe and report to the Doctor information about patient behavior, such as mood swings and patient well-being.

Mental health technicians also go by the names “mental health tech” and “psychiatric aide.” They help mental health professionals in hospitals, private institutions, and patients’ homes. Technicians in mental health watch how a person acts, how they feel, and how well they are doing.InformationGuideNigeria

The main job of a mental health technician is to help and care for people who have problems with their mental health. Their main jobs are to give patients their scheduled and prescribed medications, watch their vital signs, help with therapy, and evaluate their progress and behavior.

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They may also have to do administrative tasks like processing paperwork, making reports, keeping track of schedules, and even talking to the guardians and families of patients. A mental health technician may also be able to get along well with patients and guide them in the right direction.

To be a successful mental health technician, you must be emotionally stable and positive. A great mental health technician provides patients with empathy while remaining respectful and professional.

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Responsibilities of A Mental Health Technician

• Track any changes in a patient’s behavior that could help healthcare providers.
• Follow the rules and procedures for recording patient observations.
• Take part in making and putting patient treatment programs into place.
• Protect the privacy of patient records.
• As needed, take patients to and from their appointments, clinics, labs, and/or treatments.
• Do initial evaluations of patients to figure out which treatments are most important. For example, take vital signs, weight, urine, stool, and sputum samples.Mental Health Technician Job Description
• Make sure that the patients are comfortable during and in between treatments.
• Depending on what each person can do, bathe, dress, and/or feed them.
• Give people rides to and from their appointments.
• Measure the patient’s vital signs and get samples of urine, stool, or sputum as the doctor or nurse tells you to.
• Keep track of any changes in a patient’s behavior that could help healthcare providers.
• Prevent and manage aggressive behavior in patients, and perform CPR in an emergency.
• Assist and organize workshops for mental health patients that include education, personal self-defense, CPR, and other techniques.
• Assist in the care of mental health patients by making rounds on the ward and providing compassion and care to patients.
• Maintain and protect the dignity of patients at all times by displaying unfathomable compassion.
• Keep an eye on patient behavior; if patients become physically violent, CPI training restraint techniques may be required.Top 10 Richest Persons In Nigeria [Updated 2023]
• Conduct patient rounds, help with ADL care, provide therapeutic support, and write reports on assigned patients.
• Assist patients in becoming accustomed to routines and participating in social/recreational activities under the supervision of medical staff to promote rehabilitation.
• In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, clients, and families, initiate and update treatment plans.
• Transportation to and from programs and appointments, medication administration, and assistance with ADLs and life skills.
• Work with emotionally disturbed children; enforce behavioral plans and, as needed, use CPI (modify physical techniques) training.JAMB Result
• Attend meetings of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Work as a member of a team.
• Work with computerized financial account management.1999-2003 Other LPT knowledge.
• Assess the effectiveness and side effects of psychotropic medications prescribed to patients.
• On clinic patients, conduct intake interviews, psychological and personality testing, and biofeedback therapy.
• Therapeutic holds, restraints, and other behavioral interventions must be performed and documented by facility procedures.

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Roles of A Mental Health Technician

1. Cares for patients in a way that improves their safety, comfort, and the environment for healing.
2. Helps patients do the things they need to do every day. Takes care of patients’ behavior problems and helps in times of crisis, if needed.
3. Works with other members of a multidisciplinary team to lead activities in the environment, such as current events groups, community meetings, goals groups, fitness groups, activities of daily living groups, and/or recreational activities, depending on the patient population.
4. Keeping track of patient observations by following the procedures and standards that have been set.
5. Takes part in making and putting patient treatment plans into action.
6. records about patients are kept secret.
7. Patients are taken to and from their appointments, clinics, labs, and/or treatments, as needed.
8. May do initial evaluations of patients to figure out which treatments are most important; may take vital signs, weights, and samples of urine, stool, and sputum.
9. Attends group sessions, in-service training, and staff meetings and takes part in them.
   Maintains the institution’s set policies, procedures, goals, quality assurance program, and standards for safety, the environment, and infection control.
10. Increases professional growth and development by taking part in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-service meetings and workshops, and other similar activities.
11. May act as a link between patients, their families, and outside facilities and agencies.
12. Obtaining vital signs from patients, such as pulse rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.
13. Medication administration and patient supervision to ensure patients take their medications.
14. Assisting patients with bathing, grooming, dressing, and using the restroom as needed.
15. Noting changes in health status or behavior in patient records.
16. Escorting or transporting patients within the facility or to off-campus appointments.
17. Intervention is required when patients become a danger to themselves or others.
18. As needed, communicating with staff, patients, and their families.
19. Does different tasks related to the job as they are given.

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Mental Health Technician job qualifications/skills

• A high school diploma or its equivalent.NYSC Portal
• A bachelor’s degree in mental health technology or a related field is preferred.
• When assisting stressed patients, the ability to remain professional and respectful is required.
• Flexibility in working hours.20 Best Mobile Phone Accessories in Nigeria and their Prices
• It would be advantageous to have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques for deescalating conflicts in a way that keeps staff and patients safe.
• Concentration skills are required to comprehend and follow complex written and verbal instructions.
• Anatomy basics, mental health conditions, and common treatments.JAMB Portal
• Observational abilities to detect changes in symptoms and behaviors.
• Strong oral communication skills are required for effective interaction with staff and patients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of privacy laws, as well as safety and infection control standards
• Ability to lift and support patients who may struggle to stand or walk on their own.
• Computer skills required to enter data into health information software systems

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Mental Health Technician Salary Structure in USA

What is the average salary for a Mental Health Technician in the United States? The average Mental Health Technician salary in the United States is $36,834, with a salary range of $33,043 to $41,682. Salary ranges can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have worked in your field.

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