Behavioral Health Technician - Nights

About the role

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Longview, 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.

Skills

• 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.