Associate Behavioral Health Technician - Psychiatric Emergency Department

Associate Behavioral Health Technician - Psychiatric Emergency Department

Join a compassionate team dedicated to providing exceptional care in a psychiatric emergency setting within the Southeastern United States region. This role involves routine patient care duties such as observation, monitoring, and recording changes in patient conditions, obtaining vital signs, assisting with daily living activities, and offering emotional support under nursing supervision. You will also facilitate group activities and help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver patient care that promotes safety, dignity, and comfort in a positive therapeutic atmosphere.
• Assist with new admissions by conducting contraband searches, orienting patients, obtaining vital signs, and securing belongings.
• Support patient transfers and discharges, including vital sign monitoring and managing personal items.
• Perform vital sign checks, weight measurements, and report abnormalities promptly.
• Help patients with personal hygiene and toileting as needed.
• Participate in therapeutic holds, restraints, and seclusion procedures following required training.
• Engage patients through play and group activities, reporting any concerns to nursing staff.
• Conduct regular rounding and constant observation as directed, documenting findings accurately.
• Assist with intake/output documentation and vital sign graphing.
• Facilitate therapeutic community meetings and wrap-up sessions.
• Contribute to educational initiatives and performance improvement efforts.
• Support cost containment and perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Training:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work preferred.
• Nursing Assistant certification accepted.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association required.
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) training and certification must be completed within 30 days of employment.

Experience:

• Preferred:
  Minimum of 2 years psychiatric experience.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Competency in working with children, adolescents, and adults with mental illness.
• Basic understanding of age-specific considerations for the served population.
• Unrestricted NCI Certification upon training completion.
• General computer proficiency.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work variable shifts including days.
• Capability to bend, stand for prolonged periods, walk, and assist with patient movement.
• Visual and auditory acuity for observation and manual dexterity for documentation.
• Potential exposure to blood or other infectious materials.