Behavioral Health Technician - Post-Surgical Unit * Nights (11p-7a) - 36hrs/wk

Patient Safety

• Continuously observe patients and report behavior changes, problems or difficulties to nursing staff in a timely and effective manner.
• Makes rounds to monitor patient environment at all times to ensure safety.
• Attempts to redirect, notifies nursing staff, or pushes stat alarms for any patient at risk for falls, attempting to independently get out of bed, wheelchair, or chair.
• Intervenes should a patient be in an at-risk situation for a fall.

Activity and Comfort

• Affords assistance with activities and provides comfort.
• Makes unoccupied and occupied beds.
• Assists nursing staff with turning and positioning patients in bed.
• Assists nursing staff/transport staff with transferring patients using chairs, wheelchairs, slideboards, stretchers, cardiac chairs and lifts.

Hygiene

• Affords assistance with hygiene activities.
• Washes patient’s hands and face and combing hair.
• Assists nursing staff with giving patients complete baths.

Nutrition

• Affords assistance with nutrition and offers fluids as ordered to maintain hydration.
• Sets up trays and feeds patients who are not at risk for aspiration.
• Notifies the RN if the patient is having problems eating.

Elimination

• Affords assistance with elimination needs.
• Gives patients urinals and bedpans.
• Emptying urinals and bedpans and notifying/documenting nursing staff of amount.
• Affords assistance to patients who are not at increased risk for fall with using bedside commodes.

Equipment

• Uses equipment and supplies safely and appropriately.

Infection Prevention

• Functions to prevent the spread of infection.
• 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.
• Uses 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

• Successful completion of 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.
• Actively 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.