MHDD Escort (SSP)

at Larned State Hospital in Larned, Kansas, United States

Job Description

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Laid out on a 78-acre campus, Larned State Hospital (LSH) is the largest psychiatric facility in the state serving the western two-thirds of Kansas with nearly 1,000 employees and the capacity to treat more than 450 patients daily, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. LSH is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

https://www.kdads.ks.gov/state-hospitals-and-institutions/larned-state-hospital

* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

The Escort MHDD Technician must demonstrate the necessary skills and knowledge to provide appropriate care for the patients served. The individual must understand principles of growth and development and be able to assess and interpret data to identify age-specific needs. The technician also participates in Natural Work Teams and Quality Action Teams. Their role is essential to delivering quality patient care by fostering therapeutic relationships, supporting active treatment, and contributing to the hospitals strategic goals.

Employees in this classification are responsible for lifting, transporting, and physically assisting individuals receiving services, either independently or with help. They must be able to repeatedly lift at least 40 pounds and occasionally more to perform daily tasks. When available, mechanical equipment may be used to facilitate safe lifting and movement. Physical strength and endurance are essential, as employees will frequently push, pull, twist, bend, squat, walk, or stand for extended periods. Transporting individuals is a key duty that requires regular walking, standing, and sitting. Employees must be prepared to respond to aggressive patient behavior using approved techniques, including physical restraint when necessary. Strong observational, auditory, and communication skills are required to recognize and respond effectively to individuals in distress. Overtime may be required on occasion, with shifts lasting up to 16 hours. Additional responsibilities include escorting patients to and from classes, frequent stair climbing, and standing in one position for more than 10 minutes. These requirements ensure the safety and well-being of both employees and attendees.

Provides direct patient care and fosters therapeutic relationships.

• Learns patient goals/objectives and documentation process.


• Observes patient behaviors to detect, report, and document significant behaviors and signs of stress


• Gathers and documents data specific to behavioral modification and treatment plan goals.


• Provides clear and direct feedback to patients about issues and directs them to appropriate staff for consultation/resolution.


• Completes all required documentation (i.e., Incident reports, shift notes, daily charting, VS, etc.) in accordance with hospital and program policies, promptly.


• Interacts frequently with patients by encouraging participation in unit programming.


• Encourages patients to develop an understanding of their treatment goals and apply identified treatment strategies. 


• Promotes patient independence, productivity, and choice making.


• Intervenes to prevent injury to patients or other LSH, using CPI-approved procedures. 


• Accounts for patient presence per location monitor policy.


• Take vital signs as assigned, document, and report abnormal findings to higher-skilled nursing staff.


• Trains, monitors, and assists patients with personal care and grooming, and activities of daily living. 


• Identify teaching opportunities, providing timely instruction in conflict resolution, problem solving, stress management, and social skills.


• Collects urinary samples for tests as directed by nursing staff.


• Performs blood glucose monitoring when trained and proficient.

Maintains a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment 

• Maintains safety for patients in living units, at meals, in classrooms, at work sites, during activities, and at programming. 


• Ensures that unit rules are maintained in a fair and consistent manner.


• Accomplishes all aspects of assigned duties to ensure quality patient care and safety by completing assigned tasks in a timely, willing, and positive manner. Utilizes on-duty time appropriately. Is dependable and responsible in fulfilling obligations of job duties. It is organized around work habits to maintain the unit’s environmental safety. 

Provides escorting and/or transporting of patients/residents to and from assigned activities/sessions, yard, and appointments off and on campus as directed.

• Supervises all movement to ensure patient safety.


• Follows all policies and ensures supervision of patients during all transport and/or escorts. 


• Consider patient well-being, physical limitations, and security risk when escorting.


• Inform/prepare patients for escort


• Escorts patients to locations and appointments on campus and off grounds as assigned.


• Provides supervision of LSH patients hospitalized in other facilities.


• Provides transport for patient via state vehicle in a safe & secure manner and follows agencies and program policies.


• Provides clear and appropriate feedback to the unit nurse or medical staff regarding verbal/written reports from on/off-ground consultants.


• Provides supervision of LSH patients hospitalized in other facilities as assigned/trained


• Runs errands to other areas on campus.

Teamwork / Process Improvement

• Provides appropriate feedback concerning patient care issues to members of the treatment team.


• Maintains daily e-mail access to receive communication from the nursing department and others, providing expected follow-up.


• Completes with LSH and Program policies, procedures, and nursing standards.


• Attends and provides input to unit treatment team meetings and staff meetings as assigned.


• Participates in staff development and meets individual learning needs, including required computer-based training.


• Mentors other staff by providing individual support and training.


• Promotes a positive work atmosphere by maintaining harmonious interpersonal relationships with supervisors, co-workers, patients, and visitors. Be courteous and respectful to others. Conveys a positive image to both internal and external customers. 


• Participates and cooperates in Natural Work Teams and/or Quality Action Team as assigned.


• Demonstrates willingness to learn new concepts and a positive attitude by working cooperatively in a team process.


• Demonstrates caring and respectful communication with all internal and external customers.


• Demonstrates acceptable work habits that include coming to work on time and as scheduled.


• Adheres to the behavioral and ethical standards of patient care.


• Performs all other job-related duties willingly as assigned by the supervisor to accomplish the Strategic Plan of LSH.

• Requires an approved drug test approved by the Kansas Department of Administration, unless the incumbent is moving from one safety-sensitive position to another safety-sensitive position within the same agency performing substantially similar duties. 


• Candidates must possess a valid Kansas Drivers License to drive state vehicles and escort patients.   


• CPI Certification


• CPR Certification


• Ability to pass a KBI background check

• MHDD Technician Experience 

• Ability to pass a KBI background and pre-employment drug test.

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Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veterans Preference)

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If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you.  The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas.  The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue – Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about claiming Veterans Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person’s eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Ave, Suite 260
Topeka, KS 66612

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.