Mental Health Technician, Pm

The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is strategically placed in Mobile County with easy access for the area with the highest need and the most frequent use, the midtown/downtown area of Mobile. This Crisis Center operates a 24/7/365 with a full complement of staff to provide crisis de-escalation and resolution no matter the time or the day.

A study of mental health related law enforcement calls shows that, as one of Alabama’s largest cities, Mobile has the highest demand for police and EMS within the I-65/I-165 corridor. Stationing the Diversion Center in this area will allow expeditious access from Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, and Escambia Counties, which will also utilize the Diversion Center. Mobile Metro Jail is the second largest jail in Alabama. The annual number of individuals booked into the jail is just under 20,000. Since the Stepping Up Initiative began last year, all inmates are screened for mental illness and substance use disorders. Last year 6,828 individuals screened positive for serious mental illness. This is a serious over-representation of mentally ill individuals per capita when compared to statistics for the general population. Most individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders are arrested for petty crimes. These individuals could be diverted from arrest with the addition of more Mobile Crisis response and a Behavioral Health Crisis Center. Based on data collected from Crisis Response Team calls, Access to Care, law enforcement, local emergency departments, and a Community Health Needs Assessments, the size and structure of the Crisis Center must consist of a large living room model staffed by peer specialists, an 18 recliner temporary observation unit, and a 6 bed extended observation unit.

General responsibilities

• Prepares end of shift (EOS) report
• Follows unit schedule per program guidelines
• Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit based on facility needs as directed by the Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse
• Responds to crisis situations throughout facility and implements proper MindSet interventions
• Provides backup support to front desk
• Routinely monitors cameras
• Assists consumers with personal care issues (bathing, toileting and other personal hygiene items), medical appointments, medication use issues, chores, outings, recreational activities and safety issues as needed
• Applies seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe Policy and Procedure
• Performs hand-off communication at shift change
• Provides ongoing monitoring and interaction with consumers, assist educational staff as needed
• Notifies management of issues that surface
• Provides training on basic living skills according to the consumer’s treatment goals, as identified by treatment team
• Works with consumers and staff to ensure unit cleanliness to include but not limited to consumer bedrooms and all common areas
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
• Provides monitoring and interaction with consumers
• Provides one to one coverage for consumers on special status as assigned
• Effectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competencies
• Models appropriate behavior including but not limited to communication skills, grooming, manners, etc.
• Conducts Environmental Rounds on a daily basis and documents accordingly
• Provides daily assessment of consumer’s behavior via daily documentation requirements according to policy and standards
• Performs additional duties as assigned by supervisor
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
• FOR DRIVING STAFF ONLY any accident or driving violation must be reported to the supervisor and HR
• Conducts consumer and room searches for contraband items per AltaPointe Policy and Procedure
• Inquires as to reason of visit when/if visitors appear to be “hanging around”
• Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members

Supervision and consultation

• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Seeks supervision and consultation as needed
• Actively works to enhance skills

Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers

• Assists consumers and visitors as needed
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families
• Manages physically aggressive consumers in a manner which protects individual dignity, respect, and self-esteem
• Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Respects consumers’ privacy and confidentiality
• Is sensitive to the consumers’ needs, expectations, and individual differences
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others

Administrative and other related duties as assigned

• Attends appropriate in-services training and other workshops
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities

Physical Requirements of the Job

• This position requires upper body strength like that required to do push-ups.
• Frequent standing, walking and running
• Responsible for physical holds/restraints based upon direction of code leader
• Ability to kneel and reach to same side of body with both hands on the floor. This position is maintained for 30 seconds or longer. This physical demand is frequent by nature.
• Strong grasp is needed to maintain constant contact with a consumer during a restraint procedure or with other hold techniques.
• Frequent squat/lunge from a standing position
• Have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist and horizontally.
• Maintaining back extension while in prone position (stomach toward floor) with one’s own body weight on forearms, thighs, knees to feet. The position is maintained from 30 seconds to extended time up to 1 hour or longer. This physical demand is frequent by nature.
• Frequent forward bending from the hips while kneeling to reach to the side
• Ability to put one’s own body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of one’s body. The position can last from 15 seconds or longer. This physical demand is frequent by nature.
• Any of the above listed physical demands could take place inside or outside the facility.
• This position requires a strong core

High school diploma or equivalent; for driving positions, must be at least age 23 have a valid driver license and proof of current liability insurance.

Knowledge of the adult specialties outlined below to be attained within six (6) months of employment.

• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, non-violent crisis intervention practices.
• Basic knowledge of behavior management.
• Basic knowledge of growth and development of consumers as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of the consumers’ development.
• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in adult populations.
• Knowledge of Substance Use Disorder
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adult psychiatric disorders.
• Knowledge of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity.