Behavioral Health Technician - Post-Surgical Unit * Days (7a-3p) - 12hrs/wk

Patient Safety

• Continuously observe patients and report behavior changes, problems or difficulties to nursing staff in a timely and effective manner.
• Makes unoccupied beds and assists nursing staff with making occupied beds.
• Turns and positions patients in bed.
• Aids in transferring patients using chairs, wheelchairs, slideboards, stretchers, cardiac chairs and lifts.
• Notifies nursing staff of any patient at risk for a fall.
• Notifies nursing staff of any patient needing assistance with hygiene activities.
• Notifies nursing staff of any patient needing assistance with nutrition and hydration.
• Notifies nursing staff of any patient needing assistance with elimination needs.

Activity and Comfort

• Assists with activity and provides for comfort.
• Assists with hygiene activities, including washing patient’s hands and face and combing hair.
• Assists with giving patients complete baths.
• Assists with feeding patients who are not at risk for aspiration.
• Notifies nursing staff of any issues with feeding patients.
• Notifies nursing staff of any patient needing assistance with using bedside commodes.

Infection Prevention

• Uses effective hand hygiene.
• Adheres to universal/standard precautions.
• Cares appropriately for patients with special isolation precautions.
• Passes clean linen and bagging and disposing of soiled linen.

Documentation

• Documents care given, mental health precautions flow sheet, behavioral changes, and other as directed by RN.

Communication

• Communicates effectively using the telephone system and Vocera system.
• Reports observations to the RN.
• Keeps the RN informed of care delivered.
• Notifies the RN when family is present.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.

Interdisciplinary Team

• Works with interdisciplinary team to develop and implement the plan of care.

Orientation

• Successfully completes department-specific core competencies as defined in the Behavioral Health Technician Initial Competency Evaluation.

Miscellaneous

• Talks with patient, reads to patient, reorients patient to time, place, and self.
• Performs other tasks appropriate to scope of practice as delegated by the RN.
• Participates in maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient work environment.
• Attends and participates in meetings and in-services related to job description.
• Performs other duties as assigned.