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Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services is the only freestanding, full-service psychiatric hospital in the Birmingham Area.  It draws on a rich tradition while staying on the cutting edge of new developments in treating psychiatric illness and enhancing mental health.  We treat mental illness, emotional problems, and adults with chemical dependency.

Hill Crest BHS currently has a Mental Health Tech position open.  The Mental Health Tech (MHT) is the clinical staff member who has interaction with patients on a daily basis.  He/she presents good communication and observation skills as well as the ability to accurately process and document information.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Completes and accurately documents rounds every fifteen (15) minutes or as designated by the physician.

• Diligently observes patients in order to anticipate and prevent or de-escalate destructive, aggressive, or violent behavior.

• Understands and demonstrates therapeutic communication, i.e., avoids power struggles and remains calm during crisis situations.

• Documents patient behavior in progress notes and notifies appropriate nursing staff of information.

• Assists patients with activities of daily living, encouraging independent behavior when appropriate.

• Provides care to patients in a manner that considers safety, patients' rights and comfort, and the therapeutic environment.

• Demonstrates proper technique for taking vital signs (digitally and manually).

• Assists as applicable in the classroom under the direction of the teacher.

• Accepts assignment sheet at the beginning of the shift and reviews information documented in the hand-off communication from the exiting staff.  Becomes familiar with patients' diagnoses and current behavior patterns.