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.
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a. Performs scheduled observations and monitoring activities.
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b. Recognizes and reports abnormal findings and changes in patient condition.
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Contributes to continuity of care under the direction of a registered nurse.
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a. Implements patient care activities as assigned according to policies, procedures, protocols, and practice guidelines.
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b. Reinforces patient and family education.
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c. Operates and troubleshoots equipment as indicated for patient care needs.
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d. Utilizes computer information management systems to facilitate patient care.
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e. Documents patient care according to policies, procedures and protocols.
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Facilitates daily operations/flow of work of assigned area(s).
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a. Organizes and reprioritizes work based on patients' needs, available resources, and unit requirements.
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b. Supports compliance with hospital accreditation, state licensure, and other external accrediting agency requirements.
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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.
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a. Identifies patients at risk for injury and participates in instituting measures to prevent/reduce the risk.
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b. Adheres to AGE APPROPRIATE PROTOCOLS in order to ensure patient safety based on developmental needs.
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c. Addresses therapeutic milieu needs of program by monitoring patient behavior, organization of physical structure and encouraging patient involvement in therapeutic interventions.
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d. Contributes to prevention of infectious diseases among employees, patients, and visitors by adhering to Infection Control policies and procedures.
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e. Completes employee accident reports and contributes information to complete incident, medication variance, infection control variance reports.
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f. Reports environmental safety hazards, including damaged and broken equipment.
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g. Responds to patient monitor alarms in a timely fashion.
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h. Ensures emergency readiness, and initiates timely emergency measures as appropriate according to role responsibilities.
- Participates in the achievement of unit/department fiscal goals.
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a. Conserves hospital resources.
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b. Contributes to capture of patient charges and revenue generation.
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c. Complies with time and attendance requirements.
Qualifications:
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
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Education: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with high school diploma or equivalent;
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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;
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or Junior and Senior High School Students attending the Institute of Health Professions who are CNAs and have a recommendation from the instructor
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Excellent communication skills.
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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/
