Mental Health Technician: Psych - Full Time Only

Shift: Full-time ONLY - 8 and 12-hour shifts available
Department: Missouri Psychiatric Center MUPC
Compensation:
• Base Pay Range: $16.68 - $26.31 per hour, based on experience
• Special Pay: Additional $0.75 per hour
• Shift Differentials: Additional $2.00 per hour for evening, night and weekend shift, additional $4.00/hour for weekend program (if available)

ABOUT MISSOURI PSYCHIATRIC CENTER (MUPC)

The Missouri Psychiatric Center offers short-term, intensive inpatient treatment services for adults, adolescents and children at our facility adjacent to University Hospital in Columbia, MO. The center's 61 inpatient beds are divided among three units. A 17-bed unit serves pre-adolescents, ages 5-12, and adolescents, ages 13-17, two units with a total of 44 beds serve adults. The MU Psychiatric Center also offers an emergency room assessment unit for both adult and pediatric patients to help with crisis stabilization, intake and discharge planning for patients. We provide special training in non-violent crisis intervention (Crisis Prevention Institute) and additional special training in behavioral therapy, therapeutic communication, group skills, and more!

ABOUT THE JOB

MU Health Care is looking for compassionate and dedicated individuals to join our team as Mental Health Techs in our Assessment, Adult, or Pediatrics units. As a vital member of our team, you'll play a crucial role in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients, helping them on their journey to wellness. We value individuals who possess a keen eye for detail, as you'll be reporting and recording patient behaviors and physical changes. Your warmth and empathy will shine as you engage with patients, participating in treatment activities that contribute to their ongoing rehabilitation. Your ability to remain composed during crises will be put to the test, as you respond to various emergency situations to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and the community. Join us in making a real difference by providing essential nursing care and daily support to our patients, promoting their well-being with every action. If you're ready to be part of a team that changes lives, apply now to embark on this rewarding journey with MU Health Care.

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes' Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that's largely a result of the incredible culture and team we've built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger - to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system - the only in mid-Missouri - is home to seven hospitals, including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions - with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays
• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years
• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more
• See a comprehensive list of benefits here.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

Report and record observable changes in patient behavior and physical condition.

Assist with, or participate in re-motivation, rehabilitation, re-socialization, and behavior modification programs. Interact with patients as a part of the treatment plan, including social, recreational, and treatment activities in order to provide continuing treatment and rehabilitation.

Teach and/or assist residents in self-help skills and social behavior based on the level of maturation of each patient.

Initiate and participate in group and/or individual activities with patients; escort patients as assigned. Participate in specialized programs, such as adjunctive therapies, and interact with patients individually.

Retrieve and return meal carts and observe meal times for safety.

Plan and/or assist in planning, initiating, and participating in special programs for patients such as self-help skills, social behavior, re-motivation, rehabilitation, and resocialization.

Respond to, and participate in, crisis interventions (assaultive/resistive behavior, suicide attempts, medical emergencies, etc.) to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and the general public. Ability to perform such techniques as Basic Life Support (BLS) and crisis prevention interventions in such situations.

Perform basic nursing care and provide general daily care of patients. Perform and record bedside nursing activities including taking and recording patients' vital signs, collecting urine samples, and performing venipuncture to obtain a blood sample. Deliver specimens to designated areas.

Assist the physician and/or nursing personnel by preparing patients for physical examinations, and oxygen therapy; and observing and caring for patients during treatments.

Maintain a safe and clean patient environment by keeping the area free from material that could pose a hazard to patients.

Perform grooming and hygiene (including dressing, bathing, toileting, and feeding) for patients unable to do so. Teach patients living skills (hygiene, grooming, social interaction, etc.) as a part of the treatment plan.

Provide frequent offers of assistance and comfort measures to patients to ensure patient satisfaction and care needs are met.

Maintain adequate supplies and equipment.

Escort patients to and from medical appointments and testing procedures at other locations in the hospital. Accompany patients on transport to other programs/facilities throughout the state.

Perform other duties as delegated by nursing staff and unit management as needed in both routine and emergent situations.

May complete unit/department-specific duties as outlined in department documents.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

One of the following:

--Completion of a Fundamentals of Nursing course within 180 days; or

--Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam registration; or

--Direct patient care experience in the past three (3) years as a medical assistant, nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, or surgical technician; or

--Completion within the last three (3) years, or will complete within 180 days, an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) training program and clinical log; or

--Nursing licensure candidate who was unsuccessful on the state licensure examinations in the past three (3) years; or

--Completion a nursing program outside the United States and is awaiting the licensure examination in this country.

Completion of an above qualifications pathway, including 100 hours of patient care experience or a supervised clinical log, within 180 days as a condition of continued employment in this job classification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and requires ambulating, reaching, and moving objects weighing up to and over 20 lbs.

This role also routinely comes into contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses. This position is in a health care facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as holiday and work during inclement weather will be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.