Behavioral Health Tech

Job Description

The Behavioral Health Technician, under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed physician, or other specified healthcare professional, participates in patient care as a member of a coordinated multi-disciplinary treatment team. This position provides direct patient care by developing rapport with patients and facilitating the therapeutic milieu.

• Assist patients with daily living tasks, performs, and accurately documents delegated patient care procedures, treatments, observations, groups/education, etc. in a timely manner. May monitor patient vital signs and provide limited medical intervention under the directions of a healthcare professional.
• Orients patients to the Behavioral Health unit or program, inventory belongings, may give appropriate supplies and testing, and may transport patients to appropriate appointments, units, or activities.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal relations and communication skills with co‑workers, patients, families, and other personnel involved with patient care. Report changes in the patient’s condition to the applicable clinical staff. May assist in mentoring and orientation of staff members and students. Take initiative to maintain the work environment and guide others to resolve problems/issues.
• Maintain a safe, consistent and supportive environment by providing care in accordance with the multidisciplinary treatment plan using established behavioral interventions and programs to meet patient care needs. Ensure that assigned areas are clean, straight and in compliance with fire and safety hazards before leaving at the end of each shift. Maintain constant surveillance of assigned areas to ensure patient safety including visual patient checks, room checks and unit checks.
  
  Stock supplies and carry out general housekeeping tasks as assigned.
• Participate in regulatory activities or duties (e.g., chart checks/audits, fridge temps, committees for improvement and other quality‑oriented tasks). Report and address real or potential problems with quality and appropriateness of care through the use of event reports, or other appropriate means. Follow appropriate chain of command regarding issues in a timely manner.
• Responsible for patient safety and the overall management of patient behavior on the behavioral health units. Work with physically and mentally aggressive patients by anticipating and diffusing situations that might lead to disruptive behaviors. Perform appropriately in emergency situations, respond efficiently and calmly, secure qualified assistance as needed. Recognize critical situations and identify options to manage crisis using sound judgment and problem‑solving skills to prevent escalation of the situation or injury to client/staff.
  
  Strictly adhere to behavioral health policy standards regarding the use of seclusion and restraint.
• Complete all mandatory and required education assignments in a timely manner. Demonstrate clinical proficiency and competency for age groups served. Treat patients and families with care and respect. Maintain corporate/department standards regarding compliance and confidentiality.
• Assist in facilitating various skills, relaxation, and psycho‑educational groups using knowledge of group dynamics and organizational skills to achieve treatment plan goals.

• Patient Safety
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Skill Development
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
• Patient Care
• Accurate and Timely Documentation
• Time Management

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers

• CNA or EMT
• Post‑high school education in social work, psychology, sociology, family studies, or a health sciences field
• Experience working with psychiatric and/or chemically dependent patients
• Experience providing behavioral healthcare services to patient populations

• Ongoing need to see, read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.
• Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require verbal communication, hearing, and understanding spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and…