Health Care Science Technology Chapter 16 Mental Health Health Care Science Technology Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Objectives Identify the roles and responsibilities of personnel in mental health care, including the jobs and job responsibilities of mental health aides and mental health technicians. Chapter 16

Objectives (cont.) Compare the roles and responsibilities of licensed mental health care providers, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors. Understand safety and legal issues related to the use of restraints. Successfully complete 3 mental health procedures. Chapter 16

Careers in Mental Health 16-1 The Mental Health Aide The Mental Health Technician The Social Worker The Counselor The Psychologist The Psychiatrist Chapter 16

The Mental Health Aide Some employers require certification. In general, a 2- or 4-year degree is not required. May be employed in an office, clinic, hospital, group home, shelter home, day workshop, or client’s home. Chapter 16

The Mental Health Aide (cont.) Job Responsibilities Must have great patience and enjoy helping people. Must be able to communicate with clients and other members of the health care team. The best job opportunities are in residential care facilities and private social service agencies. Chapter 16

The Mental Health Aide (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Assess clients’ needs. Assist clients with finances. Maintain case records. Report progress to supervisors. Provide emotional support to clients. Resolve conflicts with other people. Help clients with medical forms. Chapter 16

The Mental Health Aide (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Organize and lead group activities. Assist clients who are in need of counseling. Assist clients in finding community resources. Talk with family members. Help clients to become involved in their own care. Chapter 16

The Mental Health Technician Also known as a psychiatric technician. Often has more formal education, training, and responsibilities. Training may be on-the-job, in vocational school, or in college. Chapter 16

The Mental Health Technician (cont.) Job Responsibilities May work with the developmentally disabled. Can also work with the intellectually disabled and those affected with cerebral palsy, autism, or behavioral disorders. Chapter 16

The Mental Health Technician (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Depending on experience and place of employment, the mental health technician may: Interview clients and their families and record information. Help develop and implement client treatment plans. Observe clients and report any significant changes or developments to the professional staff. Chapter 16

The Mental Health Technician (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) The mental health technician may also: Lead individual and group counseling sessions and therapy activities. Teach skills that help clients resolve problems that affect their day-to-day life. Check and record clients’ vital signs. Assist supervisors in giving prescribed medication. Provide nursing care. Chapter 16

The Social Worker Helps clients solve personal and family problems. May help resolve abusive situations such as spousal or child abuse. Chapter 16

The Social Worker (cont.) Job Responsibilities Helps clients find resources for their mental and physical care. May make referrals to other health care professionals. May work for a state, city, or private organization. Often works in emotionally-charged environments. Chapter 16

The Social Worker (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Perform direct counseling. Assist clients in finding effective solutions and community resources. Refer clients to specialists. Assist clients with eligibility requirements for community services. Chapter 16

The Social Worker (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Provide emotional support during crisis. Evaluate individuals in the criminal justice system and perform presentencing assessments. Make recommendations to courts regarding clients. Arrange adoptions and foster homes. Chapter 16

The Social Worker (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Investigate reports of abuse and neglect. Help clients cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illness. Assess and diagnose student problems. Work in employee assistance programs. Develop social education programs. Chapter 16

The Counselor May work in many settings, including schools or colleges, rehabilitation programs, industry, or vocational settings. Nearly two-thirds have a master’s degree. Requirements for credentialing, licensing, certification, and registration vary from state to state. Chapter 16

The Counselor (cont.) Job Responsibilities School and college counselors work with students and their families. Rehabilitation counselors work with clients who may have social and/or vocational disabilities. Mental health counselors may work with clients dealing with addictions, substance abuse, thoughts of suicide, stress, and self-esteem problems. Chapter 16

The Counselor (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Assess abilities and personality characteristics. Develop plans to help clients achieve goals. Interview clients. Meet with clients in counseling sessions. Perform diagnostic tests. Chapter 16

The Counselor (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Assist clients with common social and behavioral problems. Offer drug and alcohol prevention programs. Assist clients in anger management. Identify and intervene in abuse situations. Help clients overcome the effects of disabilities. Chapter 16

The Counselor (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Assist clients with addictions. Work in suicide prevention programs. Assist clients with stress management. Help clients deal with problems of self-esteem. Assist clients in dealing with mental health problems. Chapter 16

The Psychologist Most work in clinical area; others work in research. May also be consultants. Chapter 16

The Psychologist (cont.) Some specialize in fields such as: Geropsychology. Neuropsychology. Counseling psychology. School psychology. Experimental psychology. Chapter 16

The Psychologist (cont.) Job Responsibilities Interview clients. Perform diagnostic testing. Provide individual, family, or group psychotherapy. Assist clients with behavior modification. Work with doctors and other health care providers on plans of care. Teach and research. Develop health promotion programs. Chapter 16

The Psychologist (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Carry out research on the brain and behavior. Work with clients who have had strokes or head injuries. Work with elderly clients. Assist people who are in crisis. Assess students’ behavioral problems. Assist teachers and parents in dealing with children’s issues. Chapter 16

The Psychologist (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Work with clients who have substance abuse problems. Work with students who have disabilities. Work with students who are gifted and talented. Assess client’s interaction with others. Study group behavior. Chapter 16

The Psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in mental health. It is common for a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) to specialize in psychiatry. Chapter 16

The Psychiatrist (cont.) Job Responsibilities In many cases, the psychiatrist heads up the mental health team. It can take from 11 to 16 years of education and training to become a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists must graduate from medical school, pass a licensing examination, and complete a residency. Each state has established individual licensing laws. Chapter 16

The Psychiatrist (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Prescribe medications. Administer treatments. Examine clients. Perform diagnostic tests and interpret results. Obtain medical and mental health histories. Chapter 16

The Psychiatrist (cont.) Job Responsibilities (cont.) Counsel clients on health care. Assist clients through personal crises. Help clients develop plans for the activities of daily living. Provide emergency mental and physical health care. Chapter 16

Mental Health Procedures 16-2 Physical Restraints Chemical Restraints Reality Orientation Postmortem Care Chapter 16

Physical Restraints Must be ordered by a physician and must never be used as punishment. All other methods of ensuring the client’s safety must be assessed and eliminated prior to using restraints. Chapter 16

Physical Restraints (cont.) Safety Rules Use the right size and type of restraint. Check for client’s comfort after applying restraint. Notify supervisor if circulation problems are noticed. Loosen or take restraint off at least every two hours. Chapter 16

Physical Restraints (cont.) Safety Rules (cont.) Never tie restraint to bed rail. Use quick release. Keep scissors in a safe place for an emergency. Never leave client unattended when restraints are released. Document all information about restraints completely and accurately. Chapter 16

Chemical Restraints Chemical restraints should not be used unless the client presents a clear and present danger that cannot be treated through other means. A physician must prescribe the medication. The 5 patient rights for medication must be followed and reviewed 3 times. Positively identify the client. Make sure the client has taken all the medication. Chapter 16

Reality Orientation TODAY IS: Monday, March 31 THE WEATHER IS: Sunny and Warm ACTIVITIES: Group Mtg. 2:00 pm in dining room Reality orientation is helping the client to become aware of his or her surroundings, the date and time, and other information about his or her present situation. An orientation board may be posted in the client’s room. Chapter 16

Postmortem Care There are 5 stages of emotions that dying clients and their caregivers may go through. They are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. All clients have the right to a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. Postmortem care is provided to help clients maintain their dignity and appearance after death. Chapter 16