Mental Health Technician Residency Program - September 2025 Cohort

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER

JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY

Works under supervision

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Collects data to include: intake and output, weight, temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. Performs skin assessments. Recognizes and immediately reports values outside normal parameters to the nurse. Demonstrates awareness of age-specific considerations in gathering these assessments (children, adolescents, adults, older adults). Performs sterile procedures in accordance with the Department of Nursing and Infection Control Policies and Procedures to include sterile gloves, dressing changes and in/out catheterization. Assists in facilitating treatment milieu. Participates in codes to protect the patient from harming self or others.

2. Reports any changes in a patient's condition or behavior immediately to the nurse. Seeks assistance and guidance as needed to ensure that patient care is delivered in a safe, high quality and effective manner at all times. Monitors patient sharps and valuables and labels-handles appropriately. Conducts walking/exercise and community groups.

3. Responds to patient requests for assistance in a respectful, positive, and timely manner. Asks the patient and/or patient's family, "Can I do anything else for you?" before leaving room.

1. Performs basic hygiene care in accordance with the Department of Nursing Policies and Procedures. Checks skin carefully during the bath, reports anything other than normal immediately to the nurse. Checks skin carefully during the bath, reports anything other than normal immediately to the nurse.
2. Makes frequent and ongoing patient rounds to comfort, position, and to provide toileting and hygiene care. Informs the patient when you will return. Patient rarely finds it necessary to use the call light.
3. Documents patient information accurately and in appropriate place in a timely manner.
4. Transfers, and transports patients safely and in accordance with the Department of Nursing Policies and Procedures, with concern for age-specific considerations. Ensures that patient is covered with robe and/or blankets and that slippers are on feet (even if Transporter is taking patient).
5. Welcomes new patient/patient's family. Knocks before entering room. Smiles and introduces self. Wears name tag. Immediately alerts nurse if patient/patient's family seems or is unhappy and you have not resolved the issue.
6. Provide patient care under the direction of nursing staff being certain to only perform tasks in which training and/or competency has been validated.
7. Perform patient rounding being sure to report any changes in a patient's condition or behavior immediately to the nurse. Seeks assistance and guidance as needed to ensure that patient care is delivered in a safe, high quality and effective manner at all times.
8. Assess, identify, and monitor environmental, patient, and the patient's family needs in a respectful, positive, and timely manner to achieve satisfaction.
9. Resolve patient concerns by initiating service recovery and immediately escalating patient, family, visitors and staff concerns through the chain of command.
10. Prepare, update, and disseminate reports at the change of shift and when changes are noted in the patient's condition.
11. Orients new staff and students to work areas. Collaborates with other nursing staff and hospital employees to create an environment that is conducive to the retention of qualified personnel.
12. Support the administrative and clinical operations of assigned practice environment.
13. Build meaning and sustainable relationships of trust through open and interactive communication with members of the healthcare team.
14. Maintain current compliance with ongoing annual education requirements (modules, classes and competencies).
15. Utilize downtime to assist others and/or to provide additional supportive measures to patients and/or patients' families within the respective patient care environment.
16. Assumes accountabilities for all actions in the workplace. Reports errors promptly.
17. Performs in the role of sitter as needed, documents as required.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

* High school diploma or equivalent. Must be able to read, write and communicate in English.

* Current BLS, course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) is

required.

* Completion of an approved organizational de-escalation program (CPI) within 6 months of hire date.

* Must achieve validation of required core competencies and training through the Mental Health Technician

Residency Program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

The following is the acronym, "PACT", and is fundamental to all clinical positions at UT Southwestern Medical Center:

O P-Problem Solving: Employees take ownership in solving problems effectively, efficiently, and to the satisfaction of customers, or managers. They show initiative in addressing areas of concern before they become problems.

O A-Ability, Attitude and Accountability: Employees exhibit ability to perform their job and conduct themselves in a professional and positive manner reflecting a professional environment readily assuming obligations in a dependable and reliable manner.

O C-Communication, Contribution, and Collaboration: Who are our Customers? Anyone who requests our help, needs our work product, or receives our services. Employees focus on customer service with creative solutions while improving the customer experience through clear, courteous, and timely delivery and communication. Sharing ideas with others helps expand our contribution to department goals.

O T-Teamwork: Employees work to contribute to the department's success by supporting co-workers, promoting excellence in work product and customer service, and in maintaining a satisfying, caring environment for each other.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Extended walking and standing daily, frequently carrying up to 40 lbs., ability to grasp, requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range, full range of motion to include restraining patients to protect them from harm to themselves or others; ability to turn and assist patients with ADL's. Principle Job values: Communication, Managing Work, Stress Tolerance, Quality Orientation, Technical/Professional skills and Knowledge.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Vice President for Human Resources Administration, or his/her designee.

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code *51.215.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of: race; color; religion; national origin; sex; including sexual harassment; age; disability; genetic information; citizenship status; and protected veteran status. In addition, it is UT Southwestern policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!