Mental Health Technician IV - Crisis (Extended Observation)

Provide intermediate skilled direct care and oversight to individuals served in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
and any associated units. Duties include but not limited to: monitor individual’s behaviors and interactions with
others, activities of daily living, facilitating educational groups, teaching individual coping skills, encouraging
adherence to treatment requirements, safety observations and other duties as assigned. This position is an “awake”
position; therefore, no sleeping is permitted while on duty.

6. Ability to safely operate system vehicles to include wheelchair/handicap vehicles when transporting
individuals.

7.  Responsible for helping individuals with basic living skills/functions and/or learning opportunities.
8.  Performs other duties including but not limited to:
        A. Treat individuals with respect and courtesy at all times.
        B. Ensure necessary documentation is completed in a timely manner with minimal errors and in
compliance with applicable guidelines and policies.
        C. Receive and respond to inquiries promptly and courteously.
        D. Meet with supervisor as established.
        E. Follow guidelines of SpectraCare Personnel Policy, SpectraCare Clinical Policy, including but not
limited to the Alabama Administrative Code, CMS, and all other applicable regulating and
contractual entities.
        F. Participate in trainings, workshops, in-services and/or administrative meetings as assigned.
        G. Ensure any necessary documentation is completed and up to date before annual leave or personal
leave is taken.
        H. Provide all support staff duties for absent secretary where needed and requested by supervisor.
         I. Adhere to Dress Code as set forth in the SpectraCare policies and procedures.
        J. Performs duties independently and/or with minimal supervision.
        K. Works in a cooperative manner with other SpectraCare employees, individuals, and/or family
members.
        L. Perform all duties with the highest standard of ethics.
       M. Functions within professional boundaries with individuals and others.
       N. Works well with other staff and individuals to ensure safety of program, individuals and other staff.
       O. Functions and performs well in stressful environments and manages work related stress to ensure
individual safety.
       P. Applies seclusion, protective holds and/or restraint per SpectraCare policy and procedures.
       Q. Documents crises, protective holds, seclusions and restraints.
       R. Participates in beginning/end of shift unit reporting.
       S. Demonstrates willingness to work on any unit / program at SpectraCare based on facility needs as
directed.
       T. Other services, tasks, functions, and responsibilities deemed necessary; not otherwise specified.

 

• Knowledge of mental illness, substance use, development disabilities, autism spectrum disorder
• Knowledge and understanding of crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to have patience and emotional stability.
• Ability to respond professionally in a crisis situation.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of job tasks.
• Knowledge of business English, spelling and arithmetic.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Ability to operate office machines such as computer, fax machine, and copy machine.
• Ability to read instruction manuals printed in English.
• Ability to understand and follow moderately complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of job tasks, in a safe manner without endangering any employee,
individual, or asset.
• Ability to follow through with detailed assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to follow orders and directives and work with supervisor and other staff.
• Ability to adhere to SpectraCare policy, HIPAA laws, and 42 CFR regarding confidentiality.
• Ability to adhere to health and safety standards.
• Ability to stay awake during working shift.
• Basic knowledge of individual’s rights
• Ability to communicate effectively with seriously mental ill / substance use individuals and staff, both
written and oral.
• Ability to adapt to conditions which may vary considerably.
• Ability to relay coping skills, positive attitude skills and self-esteem.
• Ability to facilitate educational groups to individuals in the unit.
• Ability to function and perform well in stressful environments and manage work related stress to ensure
safety of those in the unit.
• Ability to travel as necessary.
• Ability to function within professional boundaries with patients and others.
• Ability to assist in establishing support systems and interface with agencies, organizations, and groups.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with other staff, Program Director and all levels of
organizational staff.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative.

• There is an occasional need to maintain back extension while being on stomach with one’s own body
weight on hips and legs. This position is maintained for several minutes.
• Occasionally, be able to put one’s own body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of
one’s body.
• Occasionally, be able to kneel and reach to same side toward the floor.
• Strong grasp is needed to open doors throughout the facility, and to maintain constant contact with an
individual during a restrain procedure or with other hold techniques.
• There are times that require the employee to be able to ambulate as quickly as possible to assist
coworkers with an individual in a restraint procedure.
• Must be able to travel to system facilities and/or other locations/outings with exposure to changing
weather conditions.
• Work location is primarily in a temperature-controlled setting with minimal periods of sitting at a desk
with associated repetitive motions. Must understand and practice good ergonomic movements to avoid
injuries.
• Physical ability to correctly lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds on an infrequent basis.
• Required to talk to or hear staff, individuals, and/or others.
• Required to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, lunge, squat and/or reach frequently.
• There may be times when mopping, sweeping, making beds, washing/drying clothes for individuals may
be done.
• Employee may be exposed to one or more of the following: disagreeable odors, chemicals such as
disinfectants, cleansers, soaps, etc; latex, plastic and other materials used for personal protective
equipment; noise and distractions; unpleasant sights; unpredictable behaviors; body fluids; contagious
diseases; and/or wet floors.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Valid Driver's license and good MVR.

• Must meet insurability requirements to drive a system vehicle (21 years of age).
• Pass background check and drug screen as required.

• At least one year of clinical experience in the provision of direct client care.
• At least one year of clinical experience in the provision of client care in a mental health setting