Behavioral Health Aid; BHA; ARU - SJH Nights Job City of Elmira New York USA,Healthcare

MAIN FUNCTION

Renders patient care to meet the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients. Participates in the development and maintenance of a therapeutic environment in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team. Reports to the ARU Unit Director.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

** 1. Functions as a member of the clinical staff in providing quality care in the following manner:

a. Monitors the behaviors of patients. Accurately records and reports patient's symptoms, verbalization, participation in activities and general progress.
b. 1. Maintains awareness of the patient's current treatment plan by examination of the Multidisciplinary Treatment Plan.
c. Attends and participates in Unit Staff Meetings.
d. Assists with ARU Admission's through:
1. Orientation of the patient to the physical lay-out of the unit.
2. An explanation of the rules of the unit and the patient handbook.
3. Teaching the use of the telephone system as appropriate
4. Explanation and witnesses of admission legal forms and consents.
5. Completion, when appropriate, of ARU Progress/Care notes in Quadra Med

** 2. Provides direct patient care under the monitoring of a Licensed/Credentialed Professional by:

a. Interaction with patients in a therapeutically appropriate manner both within the milieu and individually, role modeling health-promoting behaviors.
b. Adapts care to meet the special needs, i.e., physical disabilities and sensory deficits.

** 3. Performs patient care procedures as follows:

a. Assists in special observation, close special observation, and constant observation as well as routine checks as assigned and reports patient's behavior to the professional nursing and clinical staff.

4. Escorts patients to appointments and diagnostic tests as assigned.

5. Assists with patient related indirect tasks and errands as assigned.

6. Participates, with other staff, in supervising visiting hours, observing interactions between patients and visitors, and reporting any unusual behavior (such as an increase in symptoms of pain, anxiety, SI, VI or HI), to the Nurse and Clinical staff on duty.

7. Plans or participates/conducts program activities as assigned by the Unit Director/Health Care Coordinator/Lead Counselor. Facilitates therapeutic activities in a professional manner at all times.

8. Assists in monitoring unit supplies.

9. Performs light housekeeping duties such as maintaining neat and orderly patient areas.

10. Assists patients with activities of daily living as needed, i.e., personal hygiene, care of clothing and personal possessions and diet (menu) selections.

11. Assists in the maintenance of a safe and therapeutic milieu for both patients and staff.

a. Serves as a role model for staff by their behavior within the environment.
b. Maintains milieu cohesiveness by:
1. Enforcement of unit rules.
2. Encouragement of patients to both attend therapeutic program activities and perform voluntary assignments.
3. Requesting visitors to leave at the end of visiting hours.

c. Participates in personal searches and in patients' room and/or belongings, as needed, as well as sweeps, safety checks and roll call.

d. Operates and cares for equipment and reports needs for repair/replacement to the appropriate person(s).

e. Responds professionally to all emergencies-Calls 5000

1. Remains calm in crisis situations.
2. Initiates verbal interventions in an attempt to calm an agitated/emotionally heightened Patient.
3. Assists with the behavioral management of an agitated/emotionally heightened patient under the supervision/monitoring of the professional nursing and/or clinical staff.
4. Reports and records significant incidents to the Nurse/Counselor on duty.

12. Documents accurately using the goal-oriented format, patients physical and psychological symptomatology, mental status content and other gathered information as it relates to the planned treatment and the safety of the patient in the appropriate section of the medical record and a summary on the shift-to-shift report sheet.

13. Reports to appropriate supervising physician, information affecting patient safety and wellness 100% of the time.

14. Participates in the health teaching of patients and their families/significant others and plans with counselors and/or community agencies for follow-up care where indicated.

15. Interprets Addiction Rehabilitation Unit and Hospital policies to patients and families, including disaster policies such as Fire Drills, elopements, and emergencies.

16. Acts as preceptor during new employee…