Behavioral Health Technician

Essential Functions

• Aid patients with daily living tasks.
• Perform and document delegated patient care procedures, treatments, observations, groups/education, etc. in a timely manner.
• Monitor patient vital signs and provide limited medical intervention under the direction of a healthcare professional.
• Orient patients to the Behavioral Health unit or program, inventory belongings, provide appropriate supplies and testing, and transport patients to appropriate appointments, units or activities.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal relations and communication skills with co-workers, patients, families, and other personnel involved with patient care.
• Report changes in the patient's condition to the applicable clinical staff.
• Assist in mentoring and orientation of staff members and students.
• Maintain a safe, consistent, and supportive environment by providing care in accordance with the multidisciplinary treatment plan using established behavioral interventions and programs to meet patient care needs.
• Maintain constant surveillance of assigned areas to ensure patient safety including visual patient checks, room checks, and unit checks.
• Stock supplies and carry out general housekeeping tasks as assigned.
• Participate in regulatory activities or duties (e.g., chart checks/audits, fridge temps, committees for improvement and other quality-oriented tasks).
• Report and address real or potential problems with quality and appropriateness of care through the use of event reports, or other appropriate means.
• Follow the appropriate chain of command regarding issues in a timely manner.
• Ensure patient safety and the overall management of patient behavior on the behavioral health units.
• Work with physically and mentally aggressive patients by anticipating and diffusing situations, which might lead to disruptive behaviors.
• Respond efficiently and calmly, securing qualified assistance as needed.
• Recognize critical situations and identify options to manage crisis using sound judgment and problem-solving skills to prevent escalation of the situation or injury to client/staff.
• Strictly adhere to behavioral health policy standards regarding the use of seclusion and restraint.
• Complete all mandatory and required education assignments in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate clinical proficiency and competency for age groups served.
• Treat patients and families with care and respect.
• Maintain corporate/department standards regarding compliance and confidentiality.
• Facilitate various skills, relaxation, and psycho-educational groups using knowledge of group dynamics and organizational skills to achieve treatment plan goals.

Skills

• Patient Safety
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Skill Development
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
• Patient Care
• Accurate and Timely Documentation
• Time Management

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers
• CNA or EMT
• Post high school education in social work, psychology, sociology, family studies, or a health sciences field
• Experience working with psychiatric and/or chemically dependent patients
• Experience providing behavioral healthcare services care to patient populations

Physical Requirements

• Ongoing need for employees to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.
• Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employees to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, medication preparation, etc.
• Need for employees to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients. Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.
• Expected to participate in the physical management of high-risk patient behaviors.
• May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.