BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TECH

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction/supervision of the licensed nursing staff or their designee, Behavioral Health Tech (BHT) performs multiple roles within the Crisis Center. The primary staff role is to provide care to individuals with a mental illness and/or a co-occurring substance use/abuse diagnosis along with individuals with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and intellectual or developmental disability.

Duties include providing a safe and secure environment for all clients in a crisis environment and provides support services to Nursing and Clinical Treatment teams. The position may also perform delegated nursing tasks and therefore, it would be under the supervision of a licensed nurse personnel when performing tasks.

Promote a physically and emotionally safe environment, including conducting regular rounds and patient and property. Searches so patients can focus on managing their illnesses and disabilities to promote healing.

Aid in basic patient care such as eating, bathing, dressing, and teaching and encouraging basic hygiene while observing patient progress to identify the need for additional services or changes in current treatment.

Provide behavioral emergency assistance, such as patient restraint using approved agency curriculum or basic first aid when needed, as well as recognize and report homicidal or suicidal behaviors. Monitor and document the behavior of patients in seclusion or on precautions.

Perform duties (e.g., vital signs, specimen collection, etc.) as delegated by nursing personnel or assigned by a physician. Utilize Standard Precautions appropriately to prevent the spread of infection.

The BHT would also provide the safe transportation of Crisis Center clients to and from clinic sites. Transportation services include pick-up and drop off at San Antonio area hospitals, taking discharging clients home or to area shelters, transportation of clients to medical or rehab appointments. Of primary importance is the provision of a warm handoff ensuring clients safely transition from one location to another. The transporter provides preventative maintenance and maintains documentation for Crisis Center vehicles. When not providing support to the clinical team or transporting the Crisis Center Tech will complete Crisis Center building maintenance and cleaning.


MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma/or equivalent required
• A valid Texas Driver's license, required.

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior direct care experience in a psychiatric/behavioral health center setting.
• English/Spanish speaking.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Facility Operates 24/7/365; employees may be required to respond during an emergency activation.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, as well as weekends and holidays.
• Skilled in customer relations with strong professional communication skills.
• Works well with co-workers and teams.
• You must possess good computer skills.
• You must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be able to perform SAMA; Ability to perform CPR.
• Must be able to perform kneeling; pushing; heavy lifting (45lb. & over); heavy lifting to include physical management of adults' clients during behavioral health emergencies.
• Must be able to perform moderate lifting (15lb.-44lb.): lift lifting (15lb.); stooping; heavy carrying (45lb. & over); moderate carrying (15lb. - 44lb.) light carrying (15lb.)
• Must be able to operate mechanical equipment: straight pulling; operating office equipment; pulling hand over hand; operating motor vehicle; repeating bending; ability to see; reaching above shoulder; identify colors; simple grasping; depth perception needed; dual simultaneous grasping; hearing (without aid); walking; standing; ability to write; sitting; crawling; twisting.
• Qualified individuals must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodation.