Behavioral Health Technician - Emergency Department Psychiatric Area (BHED)

About the role

The UNC Hospitals Behavioral Health Emergency Department (BHED) is seeking Behavioral Health Technicians to join their team. The position offers a rotating schedule including day and night shifts, with a current need for day shifts.

Responsibilities

• Aids patients in reality orientation
• Participates in behavior modification plans/therapy
• Provides informal support therapy to patients/families
• Provides verbal de-escalation of potentially aggressive patients
• Aids in the physical management of aggressive/out-of-control patients
• Facilitates age appropriate play for children
• Maintains the therapeutic milieu activities on assigned unit
• Aids in interviewing patients and their families for routine admission data
• Orients patients and families to the facility
• Provides data input during team discussions and meetings
• Interacts with patients on a one to one as well as small group basis
• Facilitates assigned groups in ways which encourage and require maximum patient participation and interaction
• Observes, collects, and documents patient information obtained while providing care
• Provides direct personal care to patients as outlined in plan of care for routine activities of daily living
• Aids patients with position changes, range of motion exercises, transfers and walking
• Obtains and records vital signs, intake and output amounts or other measures as delegated
• Reports significant changes in the patient's condition to a registered nurse or physician
• Reinforces routine teaching given to patients by the registered nurse or physician and documents patient understanding of instructions
• Distributes patient education materials at the request of patients and/or health care providers

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• One year of relevant experience in a behavioral health environment
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification within 60 days from date of hire
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

Qualifications

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and hospital staff
• Ability to work with, express sensitivity and understanding, and secure the cooperation of patients, including maintaining an empathetic attitude towards patients
• Ability to work with groups of patients or individuals in didactic or recreational groups
• Ability to keep calm in stressful situations
• Fluency in verbal and written English language

Benefits

This position qualifies for an extensive benefit package including PTO hours, which are accrued based on the number of worked hours. This position requires the ability to attend the required weeklong hospital orientation offered every two weeks.