Behavioral Health Technician

Position Summary:

The Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) is responsible for the day-to-day and immediate supervision of all patients under our care. This includes routine supervision, completing intake and discharge processing, monitoring whereabouts, guiding patients to groups and activities, monitoring for appropriate behavior, transporting to appointments, transport patients, and other duties as required.


Position Responsibilities:

• Responsible for continuous and ongoing monitoring of all clients' whereabouts. Perform scheduled rounds based upon medical orders. Standard monitoring is done on a 15- or 30-minute basis for the entire length of treatment.
• Responsible for conducting a "complete body search" per protocol guidelines of facility with a member of the nursing staff. All searches are completed by one BHT and one nursing staff member.
• Responsible for communicating and enforcing facility program rules to clients.
• Observes and reports client's behaviors to supervisor, nursing, and/or clinical team. All observations of behaviors should be outlined in the shift report.
• Report any unusual, bizarre, or suspicious behavior immediately to nursing, clinical team, and facility leadership.
• Complete intake procedures in KIPU according to policy and procedure with clients present. Log all financial and personal items into KIPU system. The client is to be involved in the intake procedure and informed of all content of intake forms and policies prior to signature. BHT obtains client signature at time of Intake and answers any questions from the client.
• Completes patient belonging searches according to protocol. Logs all valuables of the client. Remove unauthorized items from day-to-day access. Place unauthorized items in designated storage area according to facility guidelines, ie. storage unit and/or patient lockers.
• Report any contraband findings immediately to the operations manager. Possess a thorough understanding of what is considered contraband items according to policy and procedure. Contraband is brought to nursing immediately upon discovery and facility leadership is notified at the time items are confiscated. Contraband is documented and destroyed per policy.
• Prepares patient belongings for transfer or discharge. Reference valuables listed in KIPU to verify all belongings are returned; have client sign off on all belongings. Responsible for confiscating prohibited items prior to discharge.
• Complete discharge procedures in KIPU according to policy and procedure with clients present. The client is involved in the discharge procedure and informed of all content of the discharge forms and policies prior to signature. BHT obtains client signature at time of Intake and answers any questions from the client.
• De-escalate clients as needed. Maintain communication with all medical, clinical, and operations departments. Understands de-escalation procedures and techniques addressed in required departmental training, CPI, and Bayside.
• Drives and transports patients to and from authorized activities. Authorized activities include medical appointments, court appointments, emergency transfers, airport to facility, facility to airport, and any other supervisor/manager approved appointment and/or activity (if applicable).
• Ensures all applicable safety and driving laws and regulations are always followed.
• Understand driver safety protocols and safety features with vehicles including location of first aid kit and fire extinguisher (if applicable).
• Notifies Operations Manager of any changes or limitations to driver's license (if applicable).
• Redirect inappropriate and/or unacceptable behavior according to company policy and facility rules outlined in the client welcome booklet, employee handbook, departmental training, and applicable federal and state law.
• Responsible for taking inventory, stocking, and organizing supplies and other disposable materials. Create an ongoing inventory listing of supplies needed within the facility. Submit inventory forms for appropriate ordering. Inventory form is submitted to supervisor/manager based on facility protocol.
• Ensure that clients understand and are following the daily program structure and expectations, to include but not limited to, attending groups, mealtimes, and additional appointments scheduled according to their plan of treatment. Provide support outside of clinical programming in daily recreational time.
• Responsible for checking in KIPU for any OPEN intake forms that have not been signed by the client or BHT staff, to include an audit of patient charts to complete any incomplete intake forms that are open and/or still in progress.
• Conduct point of care drug testing according to CLIA guidelines for waved testing and facility protocols.
• Records and maintains documentation of all one-on-one services.
• Assist clinical team with Against Medical Advice (AMA) blocking.
• Assist medical with getting patients for medication passes, doctors' appointments, and assessments.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries when participating in client activities. Does not smoke with clients. Does not make personal phone calls in the presence of clients.
• Understands and supports emergency procedures. Guides patients to the facility designated safe place as needed and deemed preproperate by the company Emergency Management Plan.
• Notifies and/or address supervisor/manager of any maintenance or housekeeping issues at time of discovery.
• Maintain communication with manager for upcoming discharges and/or intakes.
• Assist in weekly store runs for clients as needed. Emergency supply runs occur on a case-by-case basis under the direction of the operations manager. Emergency client runs are conducted for specific hygiene or dietary needs.
• Assists in managing tobacco purchases according to facility scheduled purchasing.
• Conducts patient room searches as directed by supervisor and/or clinical team.
• Responsible for moving clients to new rooms and assisting housekeeping in flipping beds. Assist housekeeping in turning over rooms at discharge.
• Maintaining communication with housekeeping to ensure discharged patient rooms are prepped, cleaned, and disinfected.
• Print and replenish supply of any paper forms that are commonly used by BHT's, such as Aetna and nicotine order forms.
• Perform facility duties, laundry, sweeping, mopping, dusting, cleaning, taking out garbage, set up and breakdown for mealtimes and H&I meetings, and assist clinical team members with phone calls and key/coin outs, as needed.
• Responsible for demonstrating competence is at least one or more of the following:
  • Establish rapport, systematically gather data, determine the readiness of the individual for treatment and change, and apply accepted criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorders.
  • Screen for psychoactive substance toxicity, intoxication, and withdrawal symptoms.
  • Screen for co-occurring mental health issues.
• Able to support the organization's efforts to comply with National Patient Safety Goals related to:
  • Prevention of infection
  • Suicide risk assessment
  • Patient identification
  • Medication reconciliation
• All other duties as assigned by a supervisor/manager.

Workplace Behaviors:

• Demonstrates an ability to complete daily tasks as assigned and meet required deadlines.
• Demonstrates an ability to comply with attendance policy.
• Demonstrates an ability to safeguard clients' right to privacy.
• Demonstrates an ability to provide for the preservation of personal dignity of clients.
• Demonstrates an ability to work with a positive, professional, and supportive attitude.
• Provides leadership by coaching and motivating staff.

Workplace Responsibility:

• Demonstrates an ability to seek supervision and/or direction when necessary.
• Demonstrates an ability to show initiative to carry out responsibilities.
• Demonstrates an ability to participate in committees.

Adaptability:

• Demonstrates an ability to work objectively and maturely under stress.
• Demonstrates an ability to perform in other capacities as needed.
• Demonstrates an ability to respond positively to changing situations in the work setting.
• Able to actively participate in coaching and make corrections to work process accordingly.
• Participates in emergency management process as needed.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrates an ability to perform in a professional manner and role model a positive image of mental health.
• Demonstrates an ability to work as a team member.
• Demonstrate compliance with organization dress code.

Ongoing Training:

• Demonstrates an ability to attend in-service training and continue with educational courses as required.
• Demonstrates an ability to assume responsibility for own continued growth and contributes to the professional growth of others.
• Demonstrates an ability to assume responsibility for own continued growth and contributes to the professional growth of others.

Communication:

• Seeks constructive criticism and can evaluate suggestions and criticisms.
• Interprets and articulates required policies and procedures.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate actions regarding any violation of Facility policy and/or procedure, particularly those which might compromise safety.
• Actively participates as a member of organization teams as assigned.
• Actively participates in the Facility's Performance Improvement activities.
• Establishes a rapport with fellow workers, clients and visitors as appropriate to the position.
• Clearly expresses concerns, of a job-related nature, to supervisors, and at staff meetings.
• Consistently reports appropriate information to supervisor, especially when related to client care, equipment malfunction and supply needs.
• Recognizes and secures guidance from appropriate sources regarding problems related to Facility activity.
• Reports all incidents and completes incident reports promptly and accurately.

Abide By All Safety / Risk, Infection Control and Other Guidelines as Required :

• Demonstrates an ability to report personal symptoms of suspected illness or contagious diseases to supervisor.
• Demonstrates an ability to always utilize hand-washing techniques.
• Demonstrates an ability to report incident occurrences in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates an ability to follow policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates an ability to maintain a safe physical environment.
• Demonstrates an ability to provide and maintain appropriate client confidentiality.
• Demonstrates an ability to comply with Joint Commission Standards.
• Demonstrates an ability to comply with Licensing and Regulatory guidelines.
• Demonstrates an ability to participate in Performance Improvement Activities.

Substance Abuse Competency:

Staff who assess individuals with substance abuse, dependence, and other addictive behaviors and who plan services for and deliver services to these individuals have the knowledge and skills to do the following:

• Establish rapport, systematically gather data, determine the readiness of the individual for treatment and change, and apply accepted criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorders
• Screen for psychoactive substance toxicity, intoxication, and withdrawal symptoms
• Screen for danger to self or others
• Screen for co-occurring mental health issues
• Analyze and interpret data to determine treatment recommendations and priorities
• With the individual served, formulate mutually agreed-upon, measurable treatment goals and objectives
• Demonstrate adherence to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct
• Participate in continuing professional development

Mental Health Competency:

Staff who assess individuals with mental health issues, and who plan services for and deliver services to these individuals have the knowledge and skills to do the following:

• Establish rapport, systematically gather data, determine the readiness of the individual for treatment and change, and apply accepted criteria for diagnosis of mental disorders
• Screen for common symptoms of mental illness
• Able to understand general DSM terminology and diagnostic language
• Able to understand common mental health risk factors
• Able to screen for suicidality and other high-risk factors
• Able to interpret and analyze and interpret data to determine treatment recommendations and priorities
• With the individual served, formulate mutually agreed-upon, measurable treatment goals and objectives
• Demonstrate adherence to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct
• Participate in continuing professional development

Licensures and/or Certifications

Individuals with a CNA certification will be given priority.


CPR certification required.


Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Minimum of one (1) year experience working as a behavioral health technician in a substance abuse center, psychiatric facility, or other health care related and/or recovery setting.

Requirements:


TECHNOLOGY


General knowledge of:


Excel, WORD, and Power Point, KIPU, Email, Tablet, and general desktop applications.


EQUIPMENT


Computer, calculator, Fax Machine, copy machine, telephone system, ID camera, cell phone.


VEHICLE OPERATIONS


Valid driver's license (preferred)


AGE SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS


Adults 18 years or above


ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS


Controlled environment temperature with 80%-90% of the time spent indoors.


JOB CATEGORY STANDARD PRECAUTIONS


Universal precautions


PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT


None


POTENTIAL WORKPLACE HAZARDS


Normal Workplace Hazards


POTENTIAL WORKPLACE VIOLENCE


Low/Medium


SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS


CPR Certification (if applicable)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Tasks

0-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76-100%


Standing

X

Walking

X

Bending

X

Crouching

X

Carrying

X

Pushing

X

Pulling

X

Sitting

X

Reaching

X

Reading


X

Driving


X

LIFTING/LOWERING


Light (1-20 lbs)

X

Medium (21-50 lbs)

X

Heavy (51+ lbs)


X