mental-health-support-worker/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — mental health support worker

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 29-2053.00 (Psychiatric Technicians).

Task statements

• [Core] Train or instruct new employees on procedures to follow with psychiatric patients.
• [Core] Escort patients to medical appointments.
• [Core] Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
• [Core] Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
• [Core] Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
• [Core] Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
• [Core] Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
• [Core] Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
• [Core] Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
• [Core] Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
• [Core] Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
• [Core] Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
• [Supplemental] Administer oral medications or hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and hospital procedures.
• [Supplemental] Issue medications from dispensary and maintain records in accordance with specified procedures.
• [Supplemental] Interview new patients to complete admission forms, to assess their mental health status, or to obtain their mental health and treatment history.
• [Supplemental] Contact patients' relatives to arrange family conferences.

Detailed work activities

• Administer intravenous medications.
• Administer non-intravenous medications.
• Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
• Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
• Care for patients with mental illnesses.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
• Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
• Encourage patients or clients to develop life skills.
• Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
• Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
• Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
• Maintain medical facility records.
• Move patients to or from treatment areas.
• Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
• Perform clerical work in medical settings.
• Position patients for treatment or examination.
• Record patient medical histories.
• Teach health management classes.
• Train medical providers.
• Treat patients using psychological therapies.