Behavioral Health Tech

About the role

Join Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, AL, a 175-bed, Joint Commission–accredited community hospital that serves as a critical healthcare hub in the region. Vaughan delivers a full complement of hospital services, including emergency care, to the Black Belt area of southern Alabama. As part of ScionHealth, Vaughan combines system strength with strong local impact so that you can make your mark where your work truly matters.

The Behavioral Health Technician is responsible for conducting functional analyses of patient behavior, participating as a member of the treatment team, contributing to the master treatment plan, and implementing appropriate interventions from the plan. The role includes conducting individual and group psychoeducation, leisure activities, and life-skill training and coaching for all patients, as well as safety monitoring of patients and the unit.

Responsibilities

• Assumes personal responsibility for maintaining professional development such as BLS and de-escalation training and certification.
• Observes and monitors patient’s status according to patient monitoring standards, policies, and procedures, including completion of vital signs, weight log, intake and output, dietary intake, Q15 minute behavioral round sheets, admission checklists, or other progress or milieu notes.
• Reports patient complaints or other concerns in a timely manner.
• Provides verbal and written input to nursing staff via ongoing reporting and end of shift report so patients’ needs and care can be prioritized.
• Demonstrates proficiency and skill in providing care to patients, including orienting to the unit, transport, de-escalation, teaching of coping skills, conflict resolution, problem-solving skills, assistance with activities of daily living, admission & discharge procedures, response to codes, use of de-escalation techniques, and life coaching skills.
• Demonstrates effective ongoing observations and evaluation of patient/family response to interventions, and reports changes in condition to the assigned nurse.
• Demonstrates the ability to co-lead patient psycho-educational groups on the unit and provide care consistent with the master treatment plan.
• Takes initiative to ensure active treatment occurs on the unit as scheduled and encourages all patients to participate in unit groups and programming.
• Provides timely and accurate information on patients’ behaviors and progress to the interdisciplinary team.
• Serves in a Supervisory or Lead role, as requested.
• Conducts individual life coaching, psycho-educational, and supportive counseling to assigned patients in accordance with master treatment plan goals.
• Provides leadership and/or co-leadership of group therapy sessions related to leisure skills, life skills, and psychoeducation.
• Leads and/or actively participates in the management of acute behavioral episodes using approved de-escalation techniques.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalent, including education equivalent to completion of secondary school or demonstrated ability to perform the essential functions of the role.
• BCLS - Basic Life Support certification upon hire (Required).
• NCI - Non-violent Crisis Intervention or current program within facility-specified time frame (Required).
• 1 year of experience working in a psychiatric inpatient setting.
• Ability to adjust to changes in a professional manner.
• Flexibility around working hours to meet patient and unit needs.
• Ability to intervene quickly in an emergency to move patients away from the situation and maintain patient, staff, and personal safety.
• Ability to be involved in a physical escort, hold, or restraint to minimize the risk of injury to patients or staff.
• Must adhere to regularly scheduled hours and plan absences in advance to assure unit staffing and safety.
• Must read, write, and speak fluent English.
• Must have good and regular attendance.

Skills

• Conducting functional analyses of patient behavior.
• Participating as a member of the treatment team and contributing to the master treatment plan.
• Implementing appropriate interventions from the treatment plan.
• Conducting individual and group psychoeducation, leisure activities, and life-skill training.
• Safety monitoring of patients and the unit.