Behavioral Health Technician Full Time Nights

About the role

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Lake Charles, we are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) supports the nursing staff in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by performing routinely assigned tasks and carrying out patient care activities within the scope of the BHT's training and experience. The BHT will maintain a safe and professional standard for patient care in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures, and performance improvement standards.

Responsibilities

• Continually monitors and supports compliance within unit rules.
• Demonstrates the ability to employ de-escalation and therapeutic interventions as needed.
• Inventories patient belongings accurately and secures contraband as needed; completes unit safety checks.
• Complies with standard/universal precautions and infection control policies and attends required in-services to keep self-informed.
• Implements patient care activities under the direction and supervision of licensed nursing personnel; performs vital signs, weights, ADL, nutritional monitoring, and communicates findings to the nurse.
• Assists patients with laundry, meals, bathroom functions, and maintaining belongings; assists at-risk and/or physically challenged patients with mobility needs as needed.
• Individualizes all patient care activities to the age-specific, disability, and cultural sensitivity needs of the patient.
• Communicates and documents patient observation related to behavior, location, and date effectively.
• Includes accurate documentation of nutritional intake, weights, liquid intake, vital signs, and output appropriately on the observation form.
• Communicates outcome of assigned tasks to nursing staff in a timely manner; communicates follow-up on patient care responsibilities, incomplete assignments, ongoing activities, and current patient needs to relevant staff to assure continuity of care.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) preferred, but not required, unless hired in the following states after January 1, 2026: Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, or as required by state regulations.
• Current CNA certification or at least 6 months of prior bedside, direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write, and follow verbal and written instruction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must work well with diverse populations.
• Must be able to utilize age, disability, and cultural-specific knowledge in working with specialized populations to best communicate with those clients.
• Must be in good physical and mental health as evidenced by a warm empathetic attitude, respect for dignity, worth, and potentiality of clients, and hold a high sense of personal integrity.
• Must be able to work under close supervision.
• Must successfully complete Basic Life Savings (BLS) course and an Oceans-approved behavioral de-escalation program.

Work Environment

• Subject to many interruptions.
• Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.
• This position can be high-paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically with the atmosphere.
• May sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights, and/or unpredictable patient behavior.
• Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage (Multiple Plan Options) – eligible first of the month after 30 days.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with discretionary company match.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Daily Pay.
• Paid Time Off.
• Competitive market compensation.
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability.
• Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.