Mental Health Technician at a hospital...what kind of job is this?
Asked by Kitty
I have a just graduated with my bachelors degree in psychology and am working on my masters degree. I just applied for a job as a mental health technician at a hospital. The job description didn't say much except that I would be responsible for the assessing, planning and evaluating of patient care. Have you ever worked in a position such as this? What could I expect? And what sort of pay range would you expect for this position?

Best Answer:
I'll tell you exactly what it is, my friend: : ) . First of all, everyone will be on meds., stabilized or still adjusting. They may be there for 3days, 7 days, even 6 mos. to a year in one hospital. Many will have been placed on conservatorships.You walk around with a clipboard with your patients' name's on it doing 30 min checks on whereabouts ( room sleeping, tv room, sitting in hallway, on telephone, with social worker, etc.);take patients outside to smoke for 15min every hour; possibly be designated "primary" for a group of 7-10 patients( other mental health workers, M.H.T., etc., take on the rest, respectively); get patients towels for showers; supervise shaves; open and close closets (for lock-up items during approved times); take patients (clients) on supervised walks; bring visitors in during established hours; stick to hopital rules meticulously (no exceptions for any patient w/o charge nurse's (R.N.) prior approval); chart patients ( write down at end of shift ( what you observed; what they did; who they talked to; what was their mood (affect); and most of all monitor appropriateness between clients ( no touching, no romantic relationships, etc.); and just monitor with limited interaction with patients and even during disputes with other patients -- let them learn to work things out. Most of all, no favorites -- everyone's equal, deserving of respectfull and dignified treatment by all staff members; be assertive and firm and don't let patients manipulate you. They will try. Stand your ground. No means no. Now means now. Anyone can do it with minimal training. LVN's 2 years pays good in psyche hospital. Patients are usually 5150's brought by cops for observation; schizophrenic diagnoses, bi-polar diagnosis, mixed, and dual-diagnosis (psychiatric diagnosis with an alcohol/drug assessments). Great nursing job for real people helping real people. Pays well. Can be stressfull. But arguably one of the better health-care professions jobs or career path towards psychiatric nursing. Normally doesn't require a bachelors (you might feel over qualified) LVN, CNA, MHW and MHT pay range $15.00-20.00 hrly,to start. Good place to get all the dirt on what you have already studied and it will go along with that psychology sheepskin you have. Congratulations! and Good Luck!. : ) You could facilitate groups with these folks after you learn the ropes for a higher-end pay scale. You're all blocked out, I can't even add you!?
Don't ask...
Answered by scottinla1

use ask.com. it might be better. if of coarse you want a really serious answer... cause sometimes people can be smart asses
Answered by Phx best