BHA - PRN

About the Job

The Behavioral Health Associate I works under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse as an integral part of the multidisciplinary treatment team and is responsible for monitoring and reporting patient behaviors; providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction, and role modeling; assisting in patient data collection, recording, and maintenance; and responding in crisis situations and medical emergencies as needed.

• Ensures the wellbeing of patients and provides a safe, positive, supportive, and structured environment, under direction of charge nurse or supervisor. Maintains a constant awareness and supervision of patients.
• Assists patients with activities of daily living, such as toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, oral hygiene, meals, snacks, hydration and changing bed linens.
• Conducts safety checks, ensuring that supervision is conducted at intervals in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines.
• Checks patients for contraband and manages the patient’s valuables and belongings.
• Interacts routinely with patients, observes behaviors and communicates significant observations to nursing staff.
• Engages with patient in activities and interactions designed to encourage achievement of treatment goals.
• Facilitates patient educational‑rehabilitative groups which cover a variety of topics including social skills, coping skills, anger management and independent living skills.
• Takes and records vital signs properly and communicates significant changes in patient’s condition to the charge nurse.
• Charts in patient records timely, accurately, and appropriately.
• Applies de‑escalation techniques to help manage patient’s emotions, behavior and participation in treatment and assists with seclusion and restraints when necessary.
• Assists with unit cleaning, organization of new admits charts, discharge process, filing, etc. Initiates patient/employee incident reports.
• Provides transfer or transportation for patient or coordinate transportation with appropriate staff member, as required.
• Provides verbal report/briefing to the oncoming shift.

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Six months or more experience working with the specific population of the facility preferred.

Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Dona Ana County Crisis Triage Center is an EOE. Veterans and military spouses are encouraged to apply.