Behavioral Health Technician- Emergency Department, Full Time Nights

About the role

Performs routine patient care duties including observation, monitoring, and recording changes in patient’s condition, obtaining vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, providing emotional support and care under the direction of a nurse, and facilitates groups. Assists with performing contraband searches and inventory of patient’s personal belongings. Effectively utilizes crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques as needed. Assists with maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment. Serves as a resource for medical staff, nursing staff, security, and other Behavioral Health Technicians.

Responsibilities

• Provides care to patients in a manner that promotes safety, protects patient rights, preserves patient dignity, provides comfort, and is conducive to a positive therapeutic environment
• Assists with new admissions, including conducting contraband searches, orienting patients to room and environment, obtaining vital signs, and securing patient belongings in designated area
• Assists with transfers and discharges, including obtaining vital signs and gathering patient belongings
• Obtains and monitors vital signs, obtains patient weight, and reports abnormalities to nurse
• Assists patients with activities of daily living (personal hygiene, and toileting if necessary)
• Assists with therapeutic holds, restraints, and seclusion procedures after completing NCI Training
• Assesses patients through play and group activities and reports abnormal findings to nurse
• Assists with Q-15-minute rounding and video, visual constant and touch constant observation, monitoring and documentation as directed by nurse
• Assists with documentation of intake and output and graphing of vital signs as directed
• Facilitates Therapeutic Community Meeting and Wrap-up as assigned
• Participates in educational and performance improvement initiatives
• Actively participates in cost containment

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associates degree or Bachelors degree in Psychology/Social Work preferred
• Nursing Assistant certification accepted
• BLS from the American Heart Association required
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and certification within 30 days of employment
• 2 years of psychiatric experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the English language
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Competency to work with children, adolescents, and adults with mental illness
• Basic knowledge of age-specific considerations for the population served
• Unrestricted NCI Certification upon completion of training
• General computer competency required

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work variable shifts
• Bending, prolonged standing, and walking required
• Ability to turn and lift patients
• Visual and auditory acuity for observation and manual dexterity for computer use and documentation
• May involve skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious material