Behavioral Aide Acute, PM (Daphne)

About the role

EastPointe Hospital is a private, free-standing psychiatric hospital for adults and adolescent males (ages 12 - 18) located in Daphne, Ala. The hospital’s clinical and medical professionals assess and evaluate individuals in psychiatric crisis, focusing on stabilizing psychiatric symptoms and preventing psychiatric commitment. Patients admitted exhibit life-threatening, destructive, or disabling behavior or symptoms. Each patient completes a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation and receives 24-hour clinical care for the duration of their stay, with the goal of returning home or to the least restrictive level of care.

Behavioral Aides provide basic observation and monitoring of consumers on assigned units, track daily behavior, and communicate changes or patterns to clinical staff. They demonstrate the ability to de-escalate crisis situations using mindset principles while collaborating effectively with other staff members.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing monitoring of consumers to ensure safety, needs are met, and participation in planned activities.
• Conduct daily assessments of consumers’ behaviors and document according to policy and standards.
• Assist consumers with personal hygiene (bathing, toileting, and other personal care), medical appointments, chores, recreational activities, and safety issues.
• Support teachers during class time, including assisting with assignments, keeping consumers on task, and intervening when necessary.
• Ensure unit schedules are followed and encourage active participation in planned activities.
• Perform hand-off communication at shift change.
• Provide training on basic living skills (BLS) according to consumers’ treatment goals as identified by the treatment team.
• Lead BLS groups and other applicable groups as needed per program schedule.
• Complete environment of care unit checklists and report findings to supervisor.
• Ensure consumers receive meals and confirm information on the meal count sheet.
• Recognize elements of a crisis state and de-escalate or resolve situations using proper interventions.
• Apply seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe policy and procedure when necessary.
• Respond to crisis situations throughout the facility using proper interventions.
• Document crises, protective holds, seclusions, and restraints.
• Maintain units, rooms, and common areas in a neat, tidy, and operational condition, encouraging consumers to support the effort.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with treatment team members regarding consumers’ progress, regression, interactions, moods, attitudes, issues, and crises.
• Participate in beginning/end of shift unit reporting.
• Show discretion when discussing consumers’ information with others.
• Report consumer/staff problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate willingness to work on any unit at BayPointe based on facility needs as directed.
• Model appropriate behavior, including good communication skills, grooming habits, manners, and emotional maturity.
• Transport consumers to prescribed locations or run unit errands as directed.
• Meet AltaPointe productivity standards and demonstrate the application of child and adolescent-specific competencies.

Supervision and Consultation

• Seek supervision and consultation as needed.
• Accept and employ suggestions for improvement.
• Actively work to enhance skills.

Clinical Record Keeping

• Document in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy.
• Document clearly and concisely, including types of consumers’ problems, daily progress notes, progress on BLSs, treatment goals addressed, and services provided.
• Ensure documentation is legible.

Courteous and Respectful Attitudes

• Treat consumers with care, dignity, and compassion.
• Respect consumers’ privacy and confidentiality.
• Be pleasant and cooperative with others.
• Assist consumers and visitors as needed.
• Avoid allowing personal values to inhibit ability to relate to and care for others.
• Be sensitive to consumers’ needs, expectations, and individual differences.
• Be gentle and calm with consumers and families.

Administrative and Other Duties

• Actively participate in Performance Improvement activities.
• Participate in AltaPointe committees as required.
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.
• Follow AltaPointe policies and procedures.
• Attend appropriate in-service trainings and workshops.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, sitting, and walking in bursts of 5 to 10 minutes; extended pacing with consumers may be required (time undetermined).
• Occasional forward bending from the hips while kneeling to reach to the side.
• Occasional need to assume a full squat/lunge from a standing position.
• Occasional need to maintain back extension while on stomach with body weight on hips and legs for several minutes.
• Occasionally support body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of the body.
• Occasionally kneel and reach to the same side toward the floor.
• Lift up to 10 pounds from the floor to various levels, including overhead, occasionally during shift.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds to assist in Activities of Daily Living, including lifting from floor to waist.
• Strong grasp needed to use keys to open doors and maintain constant contact with a consumer during restraint procedures or other hold techniques.
• Pushing/pulling force up to 25 pounds occasionally during shift.
• Ability to ambulate quickly (e.g., jog/run up to 0.1 mi) to assist coworkers during restraint procedures.
• Physical requirements may vary for activities conducted inside or outside the facility, such as playing games.

Schedule

This position is self-scheduling. Employees choose their preferred shifts 3-6 weeks in advance based on availability. Full-time employees work 3, 12-hour shifts (7:00 AM to 7:30 PM) per week, including some weekend shifts. Part-time employees work 1-2 shifts per week depending on location/job. PRN (as needed) employees work at least once per month and other shifts as required. Preferred shifts are used as a guide for supervisors but are not guaranteed; schedules may change based on facility needs. Overtime may occasionally be required and scheduled in advance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.