James McGarrah
Clearwater,FL
Summary
Sympathetic Mental Health Tech offering extreme compassion and extensive experience working with mental health intervention. Adept at performing risk assessment, crisis intervention and psycho-education. Dedicated and energetic with excellent listening skills and establishing therapeutic relationships with patients while helping with daily living.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Technician
HCA Florida Largo Hospital
Largo, FL
12.2009 - 02.2025
- Cultivated relationships with patients, discussing ways to help improve overall health while alleviating self-harm practices.
- Assisted patients in setting and achieving personal and therapeutic goals.
- Tracked and replenished inventory of therapeutic supplies and materials.
- Recorded patients' health metrics using thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
- Influenced patients' behavior with interaction, counseling or instruction.
- Assisted psychiatrists in working with patients to rehabilitate for community reintegration.
- Implemented therapeutic techniques such as art therapy, recreational therapy or music therapy.
- Assisted in transporting clients to appointments outside the facility when necessary.
- Provided psychiatric or personal care to emotionally disturbed or cognitively impaired patients.
- Ensured a safe and secure environment for patients, adhering to facility safety protocols.
- Monitored patient behaviors and reported significant changes to supervising mental health professionals.
- Monitored vital signs, including pulse, respiration and temperature, of psychiatric patients.
- Modeled appropriate communication and problem-solving skills in crisis situations involving patients, family or staff.
- Observed and documented changes in patient behavior and reported any significant changes to the clinical team.
- Ensured safety of all clients through continuous observation and monitoring during shift hours.
- Restrained violent or suicidal patients using approved verbal or physical techniques.
- Conducted one-on-one sessions with patients to provide emotional support and crisis intervention.
- Documented observations, interventions and concerns in patient charts and electronic systems, sustaining continuum of care from admission through to discharge.
- Assisted patients improve social relationships and engagement.
- Supervised visitors entering the facility according to established security protocols.
- Instructed new employees on protocols to use when interacting with psychiatric patients.
- Monitored patients' well-being and reported changes or unusual behavior or physical illness to medical staff.
- Encouraged patients to develop interpersonal skills and engage in social interactions or other therapeutic activities.
Education
GED -
St. Petersburg College
Clearwater, FL12-1981
Skills
- Nursing intervention adjustment
- Excellent customer service skills
- Charting and clinical documentation
- Health plan benefits
- Family support and assistance
- Crisis intervention
- Mental health first aid
- Patient protection
Certification
- Certified Behavioral Health Technician
- CNA
- Crisis Prevention Intervention Instructor
Timeline
Mental Health Technician
HCA Florida Largo Hospital
12.2009 - 02.2025
GED -
St. Petersburg College
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