Behavioral Health Tech (Full Time, Day shift)

Job Summary

Responsible for providing patients with daily living activities. Maintains the environment to ensure the safety of staff, patients, families, and visitors.

Job Specific Duties

• Applies collaborative problem solving approach with daily and routine interaction with patients. 
• Assists patients with activities of daily living, personal care, & comfort measures. Assist with certain behavioral interventions and test/procedures under the direction and supervision of RN. 
• Assists RN with patient intake/admission paperwork. 
• Documents significant occurrences, observed behaviors, I &O (if ordered), and observation findings in patient charts and reports to RN. 
• Communicates patient’s behavior to team. Reports any significant changes in patient condition or behavior to RN. 
• Conducts group sessions with a preset agenda and format. Actively reassess safety and precautions with patients in relevant groups. 
• Employs therapeutic sensitivity and skills in managing inappropriate patient behavior, difficult people, and complex situations. 
• Completes documentation and reports accurately and thoroughly on a timely basis (includes patient teaching, 15 min observations, outdoor activities, groups, etc.) 
• Performs clerical duties related to support of unit activities as assigned and assists with obtaining weights, vital signs, logging patient belongings, and specimen collection. 
• Evaluates patients' responses to implementation of treatment plan. 
• Interacts with patients in a therapeutic manner to improve social skills aligned with their treatment goals while maintaining a safe & therapeutic milieu by monitoring compliance with program rules. 
• Maintains a safe, clean, and organized environment for patients, staff, and visitors. 
• Plans and implements therapeutic patient activities, as well as, assists RNs and therapists in completion of treatment plans. 
• Provides appropriate individualized de-escalation techniques. 
• Reports patient/family complaints and/or allegations of abuse/neglect by staff to nurse and  Leaders. 
• Provides continuous supervision and observation of patient activities. 
• Greets and welcomes patients, families, and visitors. Communicates information regarding services and delivers excellent and timely service and support. 
• Provides continuous supervision, observation of behavioral health patients, and adheres to non-violent crisis intervention strategies (CPI). 

Minimum Job Requirements

• Successully complete CPI (Crisis Intervention Training) prior to Orientation in the Psychiatry department (within 7 days of hire)- maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• American Heart Association BLS - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• Level II Background Check and Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Complete the basic hours of orientation plus 12 hours of in-service training during first year of service

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• High school education or equivalent preferred
• Prior experience working with children and/or adolescents preferred
• Hospital experience as a Care Assistant with appropriate training in Psychiatry department will be considered.
• Flexibility in changing situations.
• Communicates in a clear and professional fashion.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and react calmly under stressful conditions.
• Ability to problem solve.